Head of technical

Closing date for applications: Sunday 22nd March 2026

Salary: £66,950

Location: London

Take the reins of a dynamic technical department, championing innovation, safety and sustainability at the heart of a globally recognised arts centre.

We are currently looking for a Head of Technical to join our Production team on a full time permanent contract. This is a new opportunity within the team to support our continued growth. The Production Department works on all aspects of the Southbank Centre’s public and commercial programme. This includes productions within our three main auditoria (Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room), as well as performance spaces within the foyers, outdoor areas and auxiliary spaces.

The Head of Technical will work closely with the Director of Technical Production to ensure that the Southbank Centre’s varied programme is delivered to the highest standard. The programme includes contemporary and classical music, theatre, dance and literature, and commercial events such as graduations, film premiers and conferences. The role is pivotal in driving change, focusing on technical innovation, future-facing planning and the development of a highly skilled, energised workforce. Health and safety, sustainability, and access will be at the heart of the role.

What you'll be doing

• Collaborating with the Director of Technical Production on the strategic direction of the Technical team, driving a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across the department.
• Line managing the Technical Supervisors (six), conducting regular appraisals and one-to-ones to create an environment of empowerment, accountability and professional growth.
• Working with the Head of Production and the Director of Technical Production, as well as artform and producing leads to ensure sufficient technical resources are in place for all events, advising on technical feasibility.
• Designing and implementing new technical protocols and way of working to ensure consistency and quality of delivery across all venues.
• Contributing to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the department and the wider organisation, by refining production processes and building relationships with the wider organisation.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Demonstrable experience in managing and developing complex technical teams and a positive leadership style.
• A proven track record of successfully implementing departmental strategy and driving change processes within a similar organisation.
• Significant experience in technical management within multi-artform venues, including large-scale festivals, orchestral concerts and multi-discipline events.
• Experience in developing technical processes to ensure high-standard delivery.
• Demonstrable experience in managing annual maintenance cycles, statutory inspections (such as LOLER), and technical capital improvements within a complex venue.

Please download the attached Job Description for a full overview of this role's responsibilities.
If you are viewing on a job board, please paste the following URL into your browser to find the original advert: careers.southbankcentre.co.uk

The annual salary stated is based on the Full-Time Equivalent (40 hours per week). If the job is part-time, the weekly hours will be stated within the advert.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on the closing date for the job posting.

Please note, applications sent via Email or 3rd party agencies will not be considered.


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We welcome applications from all backgrounds. By attracting people with diverse attitudes, opinions and beliefs we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. The Southbank Centre is a warm and welcoming place to work, with great aspirations and ambitions to create great and accessible work for all. We pride ourselves in building a supportive environment to enable the development of our colleagues.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.