Full-time vacancy on a 3-year fixed term contract
Base Salary $76,447.09 plus 12% superannuation, overtime and penalties
Exciting opportunity in four unique venues for a technical theatre professional
Extensive staging technician experience in theatre productions
About the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust
Established in 1973, Adelaide Festival Centre is South Australia’s principal performing arts venue and a leading Asia-Pacific cultural centre.
We present a bold, diverse program of festivals, events and performances year-round — inspiring, educating and entertaining audiences of all ages and cultures.
As the home of the performing arts in South Australia, we’re proud to deliver exceptional experiences for audiences, artists and partners, while fostering a supportive and collaborative workplace for our team.
Adelaide Festival Centre operates four major venues in the Adelaide CBD – Festival Theatre, Dunstan Playhouse, Space Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre.
About the Role
Adelaide Festival Centre is looking for an enthusiastic Lead Technician to join the Staging Department.
The position plays a key part in providing proactive technical assistance to the Head of Department (HoD) and Deputy Head of Department in achieving administrative and production outcomes and lead and manage Staging crew to ensure all policies and procedures around employee entitlements and WHS and Risk are adhered to.
Lead Technicians have comprehensive skills and experience in live entertainment productions and events, and good ability to maintain, repair, test and install all associated departmental equipment.
The Lead Technician is expected to model respectful behaviour to the team and lead by example in both performance and attitude and adhere to all applicable Adelaide Festival Centre and State Government of South Australia policies, procedures and work methods.
Lead Technicians work unsupervised; however, their work is under the direction of a Head of Department.
The successful candidate will have extensive Staging Technician experience in theatre productions.
If you are proactive, solution based and have a passion for the performing arts – we want to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the pre-production preparation of venue, bump-in and out, rehearsal and performance held in Adelaide Festival Centre venues
- Work closely with the client to interpret requirements and work with Production Coordinators and Heads of Departments to ensure outcomes are achieved, including the preparation of paperwork pre- and post-show
- Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the technical capabilities of all AFC venue and ancillary areas
- Manage all equipment correctly for production use. Check equipment for damage or loss and initiate procedures for repair or replacement. Inclusive of on-the-spot fault finding and rectification if possible. If necessary, arrange for repair internally or externally
- Employees working at this level are expected to be able to work totally independently, inclusive of the setting up and running of performances and events and be able to resolve issues that arise
- Have a greater knowledge of Emergency Procedures and be able to proactively and confidently assist or advise the exact locations of specific plant, equipment, and emergency systems. Employees would also be able to facilitate an automatic evacuation of a venue should the need arise and the absence of Front of House support
- Design Grid Plots for their venue based on information received and plan in advance for several upcoming productions if necessary
- In association with Deputy/Head of Department – Staging, educate/train/guide/ develop staff in all aspects of staging including safe work practices
Skills and Experience
- Suitable technical qualifications from a tertiary institution or equivalent knowledge and experience
- Completion of appropriate Certificate III or Certificate IV tertiary qualifications or commensurate skill and experience
- Comprehensive knowledge of work health and safety
- Successfully completed basic courses relating to Work Health Safety & Welfare
- Elevated Work Platform current certificate
- Class C Drivers Licence
- Rigging ticket (Desirable)
- Dogman
- Forklift Licence (HRW Class LF) (Desirable)
- Successfully complete company Functional Capacity Assessment
- Possess a sound understanding of the entertainment industry, its terminology, traditions and protocol
- Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships at all levels (Highly Desirable)
- Experience working as a senior team leader or supervisor
- Experience with mentoring and developing staff (Highly Desirable)
- Rostering experience using a Time and Attendance System within a large and complex performing arts organisation (Desirable)
- Experience with a multi-venue arts centre (Desirable)
Why Join Us?
Adelaide Festival Centre employs more than 400 staff across areas including production, staging, hospitality, marketing, programming, patron services and corporate services.
When you join our team, you’ll help bring the arts to life in the Festival State while working in a vibrant cultural environment.
Our staff benefits include:
- $15 staff tickets to performances across our venues
- 10% discount at Festival Centre food and beverage outlets
- Flexible working arrangements
- Free annual flu vaccination
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program
- Breastfeeding-friendly workplace
- Approved Child Safe Environment
Our Commitment
Adelaide Festival Centre is located on Kaurna Yarta. We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Traditional Custodians of the Adelaide Plains and honour their ongoing connection to land and culture.
We are committed to reconciliation and inclusion through our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and strive to be an employer of choice for First Nations people.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
If this opportunity sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
Please submit:
- A cover letter outlining your suitability for the role
- Your current resume
For more information and a copy of the position description, visit the Join Us page on our website. All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Enquires can be directed to Bob O’Mahony, Head of Department, Staging via email to robert.omahony@adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
Please submit all applications via SEEK by 4:00pm Friday 27 November 2026
