Job Description

Job Title:Head of Drawing Office

Responsible To:Head of Construction

Responsible For:Project Draughtspersons

Construction Draughtspersons

Digital Office Trainee

Digital Artist(s)

The National Theatre
The National Theatre is dedicated to making the very best theatre and sharing it with as many people as possible.

We stage up to 30 productions at our South Bank home each year, ranging from re-imagined classics – such as Greek tragedy and Shakespeare – to modern masterpieces and new work by contemporary writers and theatre-makers. The work we make strives to be as open, as diverse, as collaborative and as national as possible. We want to inspire artists and audiences to think in new ways, to constantly re-imagine the act of making theatre. Much of that new work is researched and developed at the NT Studio: we are committed to nurturing innovative work from new writers, directors, creative artists and performers.

The National’s work is also seen on tour throughout the UK and internationally, and in collaborations and co-productions with regional theatres. Popular shows transfer to the West End and occasionally to Broadway; and through the National Theatre Live programme we broadcast to 2,000 cinemas in 52 countries around the world. Our extensive Learning programme offers talks, events and workshops for people of all ages in the new Clore Learning Centre, and reaches nationwide through programmes such as Connections, our annual festival of new plays for schools and youth theatres. National Theatre: On Demand In Schools offers six acclaimed, curriculum-linked productions free to stream on demand in every secondary school in the country. Online, you’ll find a rich variety of innovative digital content on every aspect of theatre.

We do all we can to keep ticket prices affordable and to reach a wide audience, and use our public funding to maintain artistic risk-taking, accessibility and diversity. Whether you’ve been to the National many times or are making your first visit, we hope you will be entertained, challenged or inspired.

The Technical Department

The purpose of the Technical Department is to create and run in performance to the highest standards all the technical aspects of National Theatre productions through a partnership with Directors and Designers, which achieves their artistic ideas within the agreed amounts of time and money available to each production.

Purpose of the Job

To provide leadership, strategy and vision for the Drawing Office, ensuring it operates at the highest possible creative standards to serve the artistic aspirations of the National Theatre.

To manage the day to day running of the Drawing Office across a range of NT projects ensuring that artistic integrity is built into the delivery of technical solutions across the range of work.

To explore and engage with new technology and communication tools to ensure the most effective means of sharing information.

To create an environment that is safe and welcoming and one in which staff can contribute to the success of all NT projects by offering up their ideas and solutions to the creative process in an appropriate and timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • To manage the Drawing Office and staff including being responsible for the team’s performance management, training and development, and recruitment and selection.
  • To nurture a departmental culture of inclusion and engagement within the production process and with the wider organisation.
  • To have a commitment to developing the skills and competencies of staff, defining pathways and supporting those who wish to participate in the NT’s internal development programs.
  • To maintain the NT’s leader status in theatrical technical drawing and design, keeping abreast of emerging technology and working practices by developing collaborative links with other organisations, industry bodies and suppliers. Informing and developing the NT’s long term strategy towards technical drawings and other related forms of visual communication.
  • To assess the requirements of individual productions in conjunction with the Production Manager, and advise of the feasibility to the Head of Production.
  • To ensure the department’s staff liaise with the relevant technical departments to guarantee that all design led solutions are practical, and in line with the parameters of the individual projects, and to ensure all bench drawing is of the required standard, and that there are open lines of communication between the drawing office and other technical departments.
  • To be responsible for, alongside the department Administrator, all appropriate staff HR matters, including, but not limited to Timesheets, Inductions, Holidays, and Appraisals.
  • To support and contribute to the NT’s apprenticeships and work experience programs, facilitating the Learning Department’s projects as necessary, in order to bring on the next generation of stage technicians with an eye to diversity and inclusion.
  • To ensure that all procedures for security, health & safety and good housekeeping are properly carried out in terms of the working practices of the department, and that any appropriate NT Codes of Practice and Procedures are followed.
  • To support the National’s communications objectives by sharing information with your manager, team and colleagues as appropriate, whilst respecting confidentiality, so that you and your colleagues have all the information you need to perform your duties effectively.
  • To comply with the National’s Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies at all times.
  • To undertake professional development and work-related training as deemed necessary by your manager.
  • To undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required.

Person Specification

The person appointed will need to be able to demonstrate:

Essential:

  • An exceptional level of experience in creating technical drawings as part of the theatrical process.
  • A sympathetic approach to creative concepts and an ability to realise them in practical terms.
  • An awareness of the work of other technical departments and how they interact with the Drawing Office with a particular focus on how to build theatre scenery.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills with proven ability and experience in managing, instructing, developing, and supervising others.
  • An understanding of the CDM regulations and how they relate to the theatrical process, alongside a working knowledge of best practice with regard to Safety Management in relation to the work of the Drawing Office.
  • Comprehensive experience of Autodesk AutoCAD and other programmes in the Product design suite.
  • Solid knowledge and experience of managing a team of people.
  • Experience of liaising with Designers and Production Managers to adapt work in accordance with parameters.

Desirable:

  • Experience of working in Inventor.
  • A working knowledge of non-Autodesk CAD packages.
  • Experience in changing the culture of a working environment.

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of the employee and does not form part of the contract of employment. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and therefore does not preclude change or development that will inevitably be required in the future.

Outline of Terms and Conditions

Hours: 35 per week, although the post holder will be required to work flexibly and additional hours may necessary in order to fulfill the post’s requirements

Salary: c. £48,000per annum, dependant on experience, paid monthly on the 15th of the month

Annual Leave: 28 days in the first year, pro rata, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service thereafter

Probationary Period:3 months

Notice Period: 3 months (1 month during probationary period)

Pension: The National Theatre operates a Stakeholder Pension scheme with Legal & General. If you wish to become a member, you may opt to contribute 4.5%, 6% or 7.5% of basic pay and the National will make a matching contribution. The National also operates an alternative pension scheme with NEST

Other Benefits

  • Complimentary tickets for performances, subject to availability and the National’s staff ticket policy
  • Complimentary tickets for platforms, subject to availability and policy
  • Interest-free season ticket loan, cycle-scheme and childcare vouchers
  • Staff canteen and bar
  • Discount on meals in the National’s bars and restaurants
  • Discount on the books, play texts, DVDs and other items in the National’s bookshop

Appointment Procedure

Please note that applications can only be considered if they are submitted through the National’s Online Recruitment System, and returned by the closing date.

To apply for this vacancy please follow the link:

The closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is: 12 noon Friday 14th July 2017.

For any queries, please contact the HR Department by emailing:

We encourage applications from all sections of the community and in particular those which are currently under-represented at the NT including BAME & disabled candidates.