Head of technical design (Lighting and AV)

Application deadline: 12pm, Wednesday 15th May

Salary: £54,000-£72,000 dependent on experience

Contract type: Permanent, Full-time

Reports to: Chief Technical Officer

Location: London

59 are looking for a new head of technical design to join our interdisciplinary design studio and co-deliver our ambitious portfolio globally. 

This is a senior-level role, managing a department overseen by the Chief Technical Officer at executive level. 59’s Technical Design Department exists as an extension of the Design Studio working in direct consultation with 59’s Art Directors and Designers as well as external suppliers in order to deliver on the technical needs projects.

Working at a high level with best-in-sector clients across a range of markets and industries, our technical design and delivery standards are pivotal in the success of our work. We are looking for someone with demonstrative experience and skills in Lighting and Audio Visual Design, who will expertly contribute to a broad slate of work, lead the department, coordinate expertly with sub-consultants, freelancers, and suppliers, thus ensuring maximum productivity, quality control, and agility across our portfolio. The Head of Department will sit across the full portfolio and frequently input at several stages of the design process, from concept through to delivery. 

The successful candidate will be an excellent manager and communicator. They will provide leadership for Technical Design at 59 – both within the core team and collaborating with our freelance network – including but not limited to video, lighting (primary), scenic construction, rigging, and other physical technical aspects (secondary). They will ensure the department’s effectiveness, wellbeing, professional development and excellence within the business. They will be experienced in managing project workflows, distribution of work, team dynamics, as well as delivering to hard deadlines and undertaking quality control at the highest levels.

Owing to the nature of our work, this job will require a combination of in-person attendance at our London studio and work on-site in the UK and Internationally, although the emphasis will be on the in-studio working. Nevertheless, at times it will require evening, weekend and overnight work, and may involve extended trips away from London & the UK to deliver projects. However, the time this person spends on tech can be determined as part of their resourcing and leadership of the department. 59 operates a TOIL policy and a package of other wellbeing initiatives to bring balance to what is at times a very demanding workload.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

• Specialist Lighting and AV technology knowledge and experience 
• Experience realising ambitious creative projects with high-level stakeholders and clients
• Experience collaborating within interdisciplinary project teams and processes including designers of live events
• Experience implementing possible approaches and new possibilities for how Technical Design improves and thrives
• Ability to identify technological key risks on projects and to manage and mitigate these accordingly
• Broad knowledge of preparing technical specifications of lighting and AV systems Exceptional technical drafting and system schematic drawing, including a knowledge in drafting in 2D and 3D, preferably within Vectorworks or a similar programme
• Experience with 3D modelling, including creating projector studies
• Able to work in high pressure situations and to fixed deadlines
• Able to work as part of a team, and – when required – to lead
• A strong collaborator with excellent communication skills

Desirable

• Project management/process management experience in architecture or adjacent field
• Experience working in theatre, concerts, ceremonies and/or other live performance/event environment
• Experience working in museums and/or other temporary or permanent AV installation environments
• Experience drawing in Connect CAD
• Formal Rigging qualification (NRC Level 2)
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification
• CSCS Site Manager qualification

All applicants must be eligible to work within the UK.

59’s recruitment approach

Like many other organisations, we are continuing to explore what diversity means to us and how this is realised. What may have been acceptable a short time ago is not sufficient for the future – we are dedicating time and resources to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, particularly those who are often excluded or under-represented. 

If you feel that you do not see yourself represented either in the cultural sector or in this particular professional area because of any part of your identity that makes you special, we would especially like to hear from you. 

We acknowledge the gender imbalance within technical professions, not only in our organisation but in the sector. For these reasons, we are actively encouraging applications from people identifying as female. 

Under the Equality Act 2010, a disabled person is someone who has – or has had in the past – a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out standard day-to-day activities.

As an inclusive organisation, we actively encourage applications from people who consider themselves to have a disability falling within that broad definition. We will guarantee an interview for applicants living with a disability, provided they meet the essential criteria. Where relevant, this should be indicated on your equal opportunities form which will be anonymised and attached to your redacted application. 

We have made steps to remove barriers to our workplace, including ensuring a physically accessible studio. If it is helpful or reassuring to discuss your access needs ahead of applying so you can gauge if this is an accessible place for you to work, please get in touch on jobs@fiftynineproductions.co.uk

Acknowledging the resources that go into attending interviews, we are very happy to reimburse travel expenses incurred through travelling to/ from the interview with us.

Please state in your application that you found this role through Creative Access.