Scenic Workshop Supervisor

Interview Date: Wednesday 07 August 2024

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. 

We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee.  

Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference.  

The role

We are seeking an experienced individual to take up the post of Scenic Workshop Supervisor in the production team, within the Operations and Events Department at Guildford School of Acting.   

Guildford School of Acting at the University of Surrey is a top UK conservatoire with a vibrant community of performers, creatives, and technicians. Offering undergraduate and postgraduate training, GSA also runs a Junior Conservatoire, a Saturday School, and various short courses. GSA delivers 30 plus student assessed productions each year, ranging from small scale black box to fully realised staged performances in theatre spaces both on and off campus, as well as a number of filmed Showcases.

The Scenic Workshop Supervisor provides technical expertise and support for the delivery of production designs and their realisation. One of the key elements of this post is the support of our production students across two courses. This includes the application and practice of appropriate scenic construction industry processes and procedures in the role of a Master Carpenter. Providing an excellent student experience is central to all we do. This position can also include teaching support or skills delivery depending on the candidate’s knowledge base. 

The Scenic Workshop will be moving to a new site on the university campus during summer 2024. This is an exciting time for the Supervisor to establish the new workshop & working practices. The workshop is fully equipped with a wide range of carpentry and metalwork/welding machinery, including a CNC router. The Scenic Workshop Supervisor will work closely with the Scenic Arts Supervisor to realise all the scenic aspects for GSA productions.

About you

The successful candidate ideally will have experience in a leadership or supervisory role in a workshop environment, as well as onsite build experience & carpentry/metal-work skills for theatre or live events. Additionally, working knowledge of Conservatoire or other Higher Education settings is beneficial. You will be an experienced scenic construction professional with good administrative, pastoral and inter-personal skills and knowledge of current practices and techniques in professional theatre and entertainment production. You will be well organised, able to meet deadlines and manage your own workload, taking responsibility for supervising, demonstrating & mentoring students and freelance staff, managing and repairing equipment and liaising with the full production team. You will have up-to-date knowledge of Health & Safety and a commitment to promoting safe working and inclusive practices.

How to apply

If you feel you have the requisite skills and experience and would like to join our team then please make your application on the University website. For an informal discussion please contact Suzette Farrier, Productions Manager, s.farrier@gsa.surrey.ac.uk 

Further details:   

For more information and to apply online, please download the further details & click on the 'Apply' button above.
 
In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate , flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties).

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