About Orchestra Victoria
Orchestra Victoria is an expert collaborator and specialises in partnerships across multi- disciplinary artforms. Orchestra Victoria is one of two opera and ballet orchestras in Australia, and the performance partner of The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and Victorian Opera. The Company performs diverse and dynamic repertoire from opera, ballet and musical theatre through to contemporary orchestral and chamber music and screen.
Orchestra Victoria is committed to collaboration, increasing access to artistic works and amplifying diverse voices through live and digital performance outcomes.
The Company performs regularly at the State Theatre and other professional venues in Melbourne, Victoria, and from time to time performs interstate with its national performance partners. Beyond its activities in the theatre pit, Orchestra Victoria forges partnerships to present concerts and education workshops in regional and outer metropolitan centres across Victoria.
Orchestra Victoria has performed in partnership with The Australian Ballet for over 40 years. In 2014 Orchestra Victoria became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Australian Ballet. Its administrative offices and rehearsal studio are currently located at 77 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank.
Orchestra Victoria is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment where all people, including children and young people, are safe and feel safe.
Role overview
The Production Manager is part of a team responsible for ensuring the best practice for the production, planning and operations of Orchestra Victoria’s performances and other activities. The Production Manager reports to the Head of Operations and Planning (HOP), and works closely with the Artistic Director, musicians, partner company management and operations staff and the wider Orchestra Victoria team to deliver high-quality events. The incumbent will be a positive, motivated and proactive person, able working both autonomously and collaboratively within a team.
This role will take the lead to bring the Company’s artistic projects and events to fruition. It is a broad and diverse role responsible for the production management of activities and collaborations presented/co-presented by Orchestra Victoria, including oversight of the
Company’s rehearsals and performances, as well as recordings, live broadcast, digital content, education and outreach projects, and events. This role requires experience directly relevant to event management and orchestral operations with excellent problem-solving skills.
The position is Melbourne based but may require travel within Australia. Hours of work are varied due to its performance schedule and will include work on weekends and in the evenings.
Key responsibilities
The Production Manager, alongside the Head of Operations and Planning (HOP), has oversight of the delivery of the production and operational requirements of the Company in the pit and on and off stage, including orchestral pit partnerships, concerts, collaborations, recordings, commercial and philanthropic events, auditions and recitals.
Production management
The incumbent will take the lead role solely or jointly in managing production requirements for the Company’s self-presented performances and events, including the delivery of projects to fulfil an artistic brief.
This includes:
• Project management of events from artistic brief to delivery in consultation and collaboration with staff, including planning technical requirements, stage/pit layout, production schedules, budget management and tracking of expenses;
• Supervising casual operations staff, including providing inductions and training as required;
• Booking and liaising with venues as required, including reconnaissance of venues;
• Liaising with musician and management personnel as a key contact;
• Coordinating production arrangements for rehearsals in liaison with the Orchestra Manager;
• Oversee the organisation of catering and organising FOH requirements, with consideration of audience experience and feedback;
• Overseeing travel and accommodation requirements for touring;
• Collating and distributing project information for musicians and staff;
• Proactively leading box office arrangements during production, including as key contact for bookings and ensuring complimentary tickets are undertaken in liaison with other staff;
• Liaising with guest artists and collaborators as required;
• Liaising with partner companies in relation to proposed recordings and broadcast.
Operations tasks and duty management
As required by the HOP:
• Running a performance or rehearsal as Duty Manager;
• Adjusting seating layouts, setting up, packing down and adjusting orchestral pit/stage equipment, including supervising performances and rehearsals;
• As part of the Operations team, understand the Company’s technology requirements, including design and set up of staging, lights and audio equipment;
• Assisting with noise mitigation in liaison with HOP, including setting up noise monitoring equipment as required, interpreting, communicating and recording results;
• Communicating effectively, proactively and appropriately with internal and external stakeholders, including guest artists, venue staff and donors;
• Conducting risk assessments against requisite OHS and child safety standards, and responding to incidents, and keeping records of hazard and incident reporting, and responses, in liaison with Head of Operations and Planning (HOP);
• Monitoring attendance, addressing absences, and completing show reports;
• Overseeing the Company’s security and access requirements, including liaison with third-parties as required;
• Overseeing/managing freight and equipment logistics, and restocking of consumables;
• Collaborating and communicating to ensure the HOP and overall management team is working effectively to run the Company’s live and digital productions and events.
Health and safety
In consultation with HOP:
• Ensure OHS policies and procedures are adhered to, and if undertaking duty management, that hazards and incidents are responded to, documented and communicated as identified through risk assessment procedures;
• Fulfil position of Workplace First Aid officer;
Administration & miscellaneous
• Working with the Orchestra Librarian to assist with the production and delivery of music parts to musicians;
• Ensure information is shared with a proactive approach to creating excellent service delivery, appropriate records, and with a continuous improvement approach to organisational systems.
Key selection criteria
• Experience working in the orchestral sector, or extensive experience in arts management, preferably orchestral operations and/or production;
• Project or event management experience that demonstrates strong organisational and communication skills, excellent time management skills, and the ability to multitask with attention to detail;
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver end-to-end projects or events on time and to budget;
• Initiative and a creative approach to implementing organisational improvements, problem solving, and customer service;
• A commitment to collaborative ways of working, and the ability to support the company’s performance outcomes working as a team in performance partnerships;
• Highly developed IT skills, including experience with Microsoft Visio, or equivalent, excellent Excel skills, and familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Teams and Word;
• Ability to work irregular hours including evenings and weekends, and travel with the orchestra as required, and current Victorian Driver’s licence.
Orchestra Victoria is a child-safe organisation, so candidates will be required to provide a valid National Police Check (working with vulnerable people) and Working with Children Check. They must also comply with the Company’s Vaccination Policy.
Highly desirable skills and experience
• Excellent knowledge of orchestra performance practices and instruments;
• Capacity to understand and interpret awards and industrial agreements;
• Experience with audio and video editing software and skills in Photoshop or equivalent;
• A passion for working with an orchestra;
• Good sense of humour.
Organisational values
• Inspiration and Quality
• Custodianship and Innovation
• Collaboration and Partnership
• Teamwork and Respect
• Social Responsibility
To apply, please submit a brief cover letter, and application addressing the key selection criteria and your resume to jointheteam@australianballet.com.au
If you have questions about the role, you may contact Jacinta Ewers, Head of Operations and Planning: jacintae@australianballet.com.au
Applications close on Friday 3 June at 5pm AEST
