Job Title: Head of Production
Department: Production
Reports to: Group Commercial Development Manager
Start Date: ASAP
Purpose of the role:
A newly created role charged with driving improvement across the Production delivery – through developing and managing the production team, as well as all production systems and processes, equipment, and associated WHS across all Merivale venues.
Snapshot:
* Lead, develop & manage Merivale’s production team
* Ensure for the successful implementation of Merivale production, logistics & technical activities
* Ensure that resources are distributed & appointed to ensure all work is done safely, efficiently and on budget in accordance with the production outcomes and business objectives of the company.
Reporting to the Group Commercial Development Manager, The Head of Production will have direct accountability for the entire production & logistics team and the overall management of a large and varied workforce across lighting, sound, set build/styling, logistics & third party support teams and management disciplines.
The role is suitable for someone interested in working in-house across a broad scope of production. The ability to scope the production needs of the business and action these to drive improvement. Be able to build & manage an ongoing, high performing production team consisting of key in house personal, support agencies, casual staff and contractors.
About Merivale:
Having established a reputation of excellence within the hospitality industry; Merivale’s demand for high quality production to generate world class experience is growing rapidly.
Merivale expands to over 55 venues which include entertainment complexes such as ivy, Establishment, Beresford Hotel, Coogee Pavilion, Slip Inn as well as the newly acquired Newport Arms and much more.
Within the venue’s there are over 30 weekly corporate events within 15 different function rooms including a 900 person Ballroom, as well as 10 additional Entertainment offerings weekly including a theatrical nightlife experience for Pacha Sydney every Saturday at ivy.
Additional Merivale activities include: Presenting international, national and local performing artists & performances at our venues throughout the year; 5 week food & wine festival – March into Merivale; Over 10 – 15 annual on-going events; new venue builds & launches; external events & more.
The Merivale working environment is dynamic, fast-paced and challenging. There is an emphasis on collaborative support and teamwork, and team members are encouraged to demonstrate leadership and take personal responsibility for maintaining the Company’s standard of professional excellence.
Personal Attributes:
* Driven, dynamic and innovative
* Effective communicator
* Natural leader & influencer
* Strong work ethic
* Ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment
* Excellent time management skills, able to juggle project work with support tasks
* Actively seeks clarification (rather than making assumptions)
* Proactively seeks to improve systems, processes and procedures
* Committed to constantly improving their skill set
Key Accountabilities:
Budget
* Develop and maintain budgets for all Merivale Production activity
* Monitor budgets and report regularly to Group Commercial Manager
* Plan & manage core production expenditure in accordance with annual budgets, including planning for capital improvement, maintenance, replacement of production related capital items and looking for ways to capitalise and minimise external costs
* Identify areas of potential income generation via third party & corporate events to minimise the production teams & infrastructure cost base.
Production Schedule & Planning
* Develop & manage production schedules for each activity and distribute in accordance with venue timeline requirements
* Organise and chair weekly production meetings.
* Work with all relevant stakeholders to develop pre-production requirements such as build, scoping, design etc
* Ensure that the crew leaders are held responsible for these schedules and update and report on performance after each build & activity
* Responsible for interpreting and costing all pre-production elements such as set, sound, stage and lighting designs, and ensuring the accurate, safe, timely and cost efficient realisation of all elements including set/props, lighting, audio visual effects, sound, staff scheduling and storage requirements for all Merivale productions and production related activities.
* Ensure that the production elements for all Merivale activity is produced accurately and to the highest standard
* Assist the senior Merivale team with new venue builds & existing venue renovations, scoping all production design, requirements & execution
Team Management
* Implement a review of all current internal and external production needs to define the production team
* Recruit and assign appropriately skilled resources from the core team and oversee contract staff and required support agencies ensuring appropriate definition, coordination and delivery of key information at all times;
* Develop strong contractor agreements and ensure strong security & risk protocols are in place at all times
* Assist in building and maintaining an efficient, skilled and motivated casual staff base to fulfil Merivale’s production & logistics requirements.
* Undertake performance reviews of permanent staff and manage work performance of all technical staff
* Identify and respond to areas of training required for core and casual staff within the production team.
Workplace Health and Safety
* Responsible for implementation of Production Department & all production related activities in accordance with Workplace Health & Safety Act 2011
* Keep abreast of relevant WHS legislative changes and update policies
* Take ownership of and ensure accountability across all WHS matters within the team
* Hold regular staff meetings and briefings to advise on WHS matters
* Ensure that WHS is considered in all stages of design, pre-production process & event
* Oversee the risk assessment process for all productions in conjunction with the WHS Advisor
* Ensure compliance to the Contractor Management process across the Production Activities
* Create & manage the production processes to ensure a safe and effective venue for all staff, clients & patrons
General
* Undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by Merivale key stakeholders
* Assist the key Merivale stakeholders with advice and general tasks that may arise from day to day.
* Maintain knowledge and awareness of contemporary production management and application of new processes and technologies.
Skills
* Highly developed understanding of technical direction, logistics & production safe work methods
* Broad experience in the strategic planning, development and management of high quality and creative productions;
* Thorough technical understanding of audio and visual equipment
* Experience in project management
* Excellent working knowledge of current WHS practice, legislative and policy requirements.
* Significant experience leading a large teams
* A high level of initiative
* Experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders, often negotiating conflicting requests and needs.
* Understanding of CAD system & design skills
* Effective interpersonal, communication, negotiation and teamwork skills.
Qualifications/Selection Criteria:
* Formal qualifications relevant to production management and/or a minimum of 10 years relevant experience in theatrical and venue production management either based in a theatre company, large venue, major festival and/or entertainment environment.
* Knowledge of production requirements for music, touring, festivals, large scale events, corporate functions & outdoor events
* Ability to develop and administer production management processes and production budgets with minimal guidance for a busy large-sized facility.
* Sound analytical and problem solving skills; the ability to effectively manage competing priorities and commitments and an ability to work under pressure.
* Possess an ability to work effectively as a strong leader, providing leadership to all production personnel & contractors in a complex production environment
* Well-developed written and oral communications skills with a demonstrated ability to negotiate and liaise successfully with diverse clientele whilst providing high quality customer service
* Ability to negotiate and source the best deals from suppliers & agencies.
* Outcome focused possessing a high level of commitment with the ability to identify and contribute to value added services.
To discuss this role further or to apply please contact/send your CV to andy@merivale.com
