Venue Technician - The Nest at Chichester Festival Theatre
£32,000 pa
Ideal start date mid / end May 2025

Are you an experienced multi-skilled Venue Technician? Would you relish the opportunity to run the technical aspects of a brand new multi-purpose venue? Do you love supporting emerging talent and new work? If your answer is yes, then we'd love to hear from you!

The Nest is an entirely new third space at CFT with sustainability and education at its heart, made from a structure previously located at the Pleasance Theatre in London and used at the Edinburgh Festival. Upgraded to be usable year-round and fully wheelchair accessible, this 119-seater studio will have a thrust stage to match our other theatres, but with the flexibility to be end on or even flat floor. Designed to complement our existing spaces and sited between the Festival Theatre and Northgate car park, The Nest will offer a dynamic venue to support artists and technicians at the beginning of their careers and offer entertainment for a younger audience.

We are looking for a dynamic and energetic Venue Technician to look after all the technical aspects of a varied programme of new homegrown work, an eclectic mix of visiting comedy, music, theatre, dance, and community work. The ethos of the venue is to support emerging talent, and this role will also lead and support emerging technicians from our Technical Youth Theatre and Apprenticeship programmes, including teaching and mentoring along the way.

Job Purpose
• Provide technical support in lighting, sound, AV and staging to all users of The Nest.
• To be the face of The Nest alongside The Nest Producer, welcoming, supporting and collaborating with all users.
• To support emerging artists and technicians with making work in The Nest in a collaborative and positive way.

Key Responsibilities
• To be a key holder, responsible for opening and closing the venue with The Nest Producer and Duty Managers.
• To design, rig, operate and service all lighting, sound, AV and staging equipment ensuring the safe and professional operation of the venue.
• To support new and emerging technicians including our resident Technical Youth Theatre and apprentices with all elements of creating and operating events and productions - building their skills, knowledge and confidence.
• To lead sessions, with practitioners, for the Technical Youth Theatre in various technical arts including, lighting, sound and AV.
• To support the Artists Development programme with the creation and sharing of their work, including lighting, sound, AV and scenic design support where appropriate.Key Responsibilities
• To be a key holder, responsible for opening and closing the venue with The Nest Producer and Duty Managers.
• To design, rig, operate and service all lighting, sound, AV and staging equipment ensuring the safe and professional operation of the venue.
• To support new and emerging technicians including our resident Technical Youth Theatre and apprentices with all elements of creating and operating events and productions - building their skills, knowledge and confidence.
• To lead sessions, with practitioners, for the Technical Youth Theatre in various technical arts including, lighting, sound and AV.
• To support the Artists Development programme with the creation and sharing of their work, including lighting, sound, AV and scenic design support where appropriate.
• To manage the safe use of The Nest on a day-to-day basis, ensuring all plant, equipment and structures are maintained in a safe condition; and meet all Health and Safety statutory requirements in conjunction with the Head of Technical and Stage, and the Facilities Manager.
• To work closely with The Nest Producer on the technical requirements for each event, reviewing riders, communicating with companies and users in order to stage their work smoothly.
• To prepare and maintain accurate plots and records to enable the accurate reproduction of a production's technical requirements.
• To ensure that equipment is deployed in a clean, orderly and tidy condition; take appropriate care of all items and ensure that the stage, auditorium, work areas, front of house and storage areas
are kept clean and tidy.
• To receive and store deliveries in appropriate locations.
• To undertake training as required, instructing others in the use of technical equipment.
• To maintain general knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety policy and procedures and
its implications for working on stage and across the site.
• To use computers for creation of content, design of systems and documentation.

Person Specification
Essential Criteria
• Experience with lighting, sound, staging and AV equipment including rigging, operation and maintenance in a professional setting.
• Experience with various software to include at a minimum Qlab and ETC Eos.
• Experience in operating sound and lighting systems in public performance.
• Experience of live sound mixing.
• Experience of technical theatre in a producing environment including get ins, fit ups and get outs.
• A sympathetic approach to creative concepts and the ability to realise the requirements of Designers, Directors and other creative team members.
• The ability to be self-motivated and work well as part of a team under minimum supervision.
• An ability to work at height using appropriate access equipment safely.
• A passion for supporting new and emerging technicians and artists, ideally with some teaching, instruction or mentoring experience.
• Experience of being the sole technical representative of a venue or department for events or rehearsals.
• Excellent punctuality, good time management and reliability.
• An open mind to new and different ways of working and the ability to acquire new skills when needed.
• Ability to plan and prioritise work effectively.
• Good communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Commitment to finding innovative and reliable solutions to the challenges of design and delivery.
• Flexible approach to working, including the ability to work unsocial hours.
• Interest in and commitment to making theatre accessible to all community sectors, and to CFT's Equal Opportunities Policy.
• An interest in sustainability, and finding environmentally positive solutions to creative ideas.

Desirable Criteria
• Experience of having worked in a fringe venue
• Teaching/mentoring/coaching experience
• Experience with video and audio editing software such as Final Cut ProX and Reaper
• Experience with Qlab programming in relation to video
• Experience in film making and the creation of video content
• Scenic and prop construction skills
• Full UK Driving LicenceDesirable Criteria
• Experience of having worked in a fringe venue
• Teaching/mentoring/coaching experience
• Experience with video and audio editing software such as Final Cut ProX and Reaper
• Experience with Qlab programming in relation to video
• Experience in film making and the creation of video content
• Scenic and prop construction skills
• Full UK Driving Licence

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter, or video. In your covering letter or video, please let us know why you are applying for the role, what excites you about joining CFT and how your experience and skills match the person specification.

We're setting a closing date of Monday 21st April - if you might need additional time, please let us know.

Previous applicants need not apply.