Head Of Production, Gate Theatre (Dublin)

The Gate Theatre was founded in 1928 by Micheál MacLiammóir and Hilton Edwards, and very quickly built a unique reputation as a producing house for introducing international writers and artists to Ireland. The theatre is housed in a beautiful Georgian building and has a capacity of 371 seats, which makes it attractively intimate for both actors and audiences alike.

Throughout its history the Gate has garnered an enviable reputation both at home and abroad and has proven itself to be one of Ireland’s most successful theatres. The organisation mounts on average seven major productions each year, playing to paying audiences which have averaged at over 80% for the last ten years.

The Gate is currently led through the joint management of its Artistic Director, Róisín McBrinn, and Executive Director, Colm O’Callaghan, who joined in the summer of 2022.

Gate Vision

The Gate’s vision is ‘an Open Gate where every person has access to great theatre.’ Under the shared leadership of CEOs, Róisín McBrinn and Colm O’Callaghan, an Open Gate is a civic Gate and will be a key cultural asset to Dublin’s North Inner City. In the coming years, we will generate new audiences and excite current ones, invest in artists of the future, deliver our GATEWAYS community engagement programme and be a supportive home to the best Irish artists and their international collaborators. As the Gate approaches its centenary in 2028, we will make its theatre a home to all stories and the Gate’s communities, so that it continues to play a defining role in Irish society.

Gate Values

It is important that the Gate continues to be a values-led organisation. Care, collaboration and excellence are the Gate’s core values.

Gate Mission

The Gate’s mission is to make inspiring theatre that connects, questions and transforms our audiences and communities by:

• Producing unforgettable and inspiring theatre
• Creating a supportive and sustainable organisation
• Driving the growth of a connected and confident Irish theatre at home and abroad
• Ensuring long-term financial and operational sustainability

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Head of Production is a member of the Gate’s Senior Management Team with overall responsibility for the Gate’s Production Department. Working with the Executive and Artistic Directors, the purpose of the role is to lead and develop the production and technical areas of the Gate, delivering the highest production values possible as well as creating sustainable production and technical operations. Maintaining and ensuring effective productions, strategic thinking, long range problem solving, as well as strong financial management, and a commitment to skill development and training are all essential elements of this role.

As part of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Production plays a key leadership role within the Gate, with a focus on the Gate Company and creating a positive theatre environment and culture for artists and staff. The role is diverse and as it interacts with all areas of the business and plays a key role championing a culture of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for everyone.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The role is responsible for the above outcomes through activities which include:

STRATEGY AND LEADERSHIP:

• As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), input into the development of the Company’s Strategic Plan and annual operating plans.
• Strategise with directors, production managers and stage managers to ensure actor safety and fulfilment of the director's vision.
• Take a leadership role to help create and support a caring, collaborative and excellent producing environment that is artistically satisfying, professional, efficient and safe.
• Maintain strong and broad industry networks in Ireland and overseas and liaise with external parties as required to position the Gate as a leader in the theatre industry and to share best practice knowledge with like organisations.
• Collaborate with Development teams to leverage new resources for the production and technical areas.
• Collaborate with others across the organisation to respond to new opportunities for the company, art form and arts sector.
• Understand the Gate’s Enterprise Agreement, conditions, and policies to make strategies to best manage productions, mitigating the risk of Industrial complaints or issues.
• Overall accountability for the performance, well-being, training and development of Production and technical staff, including developing and implementing new partnerships and programmes.
• Attend and lend perspective and expertise at appropriate staff and production meetings, including technical and dress rehearsals.

PRODUCTION & OPERATIONAL:

• Act as Production Manager for 3-4 mainstage productions per year.
• Ensure coordination of the Production department with other areas of the business.
• Maintain and enhance the Gate’s reputation for producing work of vision and scale.
• Lead continual improvement in practices and procedures.
• Develop and implement new policies and procedures aimed at improving sustainability and performance.
• Ensure best practice venue and maintenance programmes are managed and scheduled.
• Be present and actively engaged in opening nights, meet and greets, fundraising activities, functions and social events.
• Ensure that workplace incidents are mitigated by incorporating H&S best practice in all productions.
• Ensure all the key aspects of a successful production are managed effectively and collaboratively to result in cohesive delivery from all departments including stage management, lighting, props, wardrobe, sound, scenic art.
• Ensure Risk Management plans and processes are implemented for each production.
• Recommend design changes where appropriate to match staff resourcing and financial resources available.

FINANCIAL:

• Overall accountability for production and technical budgets.
• Develop and manage production and technical budgets with the Executive Director and Head of Producing.
• Ensure that the highest standards of financial planning, budgeting and expenditure are key considerations on all productions.
• Ensure budgetary control of materials and labour for all productions and assigned projects.
• Make recommendations to the Executive Director on capital purchases of technical equipment.

GOVERNANCE, PROCEDURES, REPORTING & ANALYSIS:

• Support the Executive Director in ensuring reports and information to be shared with the Chair and Board of Directors and Trustees are completed in a timely manner.

GENERAL:

• Act as a diversity and inclusion Ambassador and foster a culture of inclusion within the Gate.
• Act as an Ambassador for the Gate Theatre at functions, opening nights and other networking opportunities.
• As a senior leader ensure that information and guidance is disseminated in an appropriate and timely way.
• Other duties as required by the CEOs to support the Gate programme and production strategy.

Essential and Desirable Experience, Qualities and Skills

The post holder must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrable commitment to the Gate’s vision, mission and values of care, collaboration, and excellence.
• Extensive experience in a performing arts organisation leading a production or technical area, including planning, budgeting, strategic and people management.
• Thorough understanding of all aspects involved in theatre production, including but not limited to set and prop construction, automation, costume, lighting, rigging and audio visual.
• In depth knowledge of theatre operations and maintenance including stage machinery, fire engineering, lighting and AV systems.
• Proven leadership skills including managing teams and leading successful productions from end to end.
• Exemplary budgeting, communication, people management and staff development skills.
• Creative insight, risk management and sound judgement.
• The ability to thrive in a high-pressure environment with many competing priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in managing production schedules, negotiating with staff and unions, and managing multiple projects at once.
• Leadership and commitment to H&S, community obligations and sustainability practices.

Essential personal attributes and competencies:

Personal attributes:

• Collaboration-driven, focused on employee care and support.
• Highly organised with excellent administration and time management skills
• Conscientious, positive, punctual, and reliable
• Proactive and self-motivated
• Ability to work well under pressure and juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Competencies:

• Communication and Relationships – Strong working relationships improve collaboration and productivity while building and fostering an inclusive work environment within the Gate.
• Agility and Flexibility – Comfortable working within an evolving company which develops and grows from production to production.
• Attention to Detail – Strong attention to detail while delivering within deadlines.

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of the role; it is not an exhaustive list of duties. The role will be expected to be flexible and additional activities or areas of responsibility may be added at the Gate discretion.

The Gate is an equal opportunities employer and values diversity. We actively encourage applicants from different backgrounds and experience.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Working Days and Hours: The standard operational office hours are between 8am and 6pm. Standard theatre hours are between 5pm and 12.00 midnight. The role will operate across both timeframes on a net 40 working hour week. The role will involve working irregular and flexible hours to support the Gate team on a regular basis which is reflected in the remuneration package. The role will be required to work during open and dark periods within the theatre schedule.

The standard working days for the role are five days over seven Monday to Sunday, while the role may operate predominately Monday to Friday, some weekend work is required to support the management and staff aligned with the prevailing show schedule which is reflected in the remuneration.

To apply for the Head of Production opportunity, please submit your Curriculum Vitae with a single page supporting letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the post with examples of your experience. Within the email, please include details of your salary expectations and your availability for interview between 16th and 18th July 2024.

As part of our Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, we have a system to monitor all job applications. Please complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and submit it as part of your application; we appreciate you providing this information. The form is available via the button below. This information will be used for monitoring purposes only and shall remain strictly confidential in line with our Data Protection arrangements. This form will not be used during the shortlisting process but will be used separately and for the purpose of recruitment monitoring and provision of statistical data.

Applications should be sent directly by email referencing Head of Production.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm on Sunday 7th July 2024 (late applications will not be considered).

Interviews are expected to take place between 16th and 18th July 2024 at the Gate Theatre, Dublin 1.

The role will be advertised internally and externally via the Gate and other artistic community media channels.

Candidates will be assessed based on their application (cover letter and CV), relevant experience and the interview process. The interview process will be competency-based related to the role requirements. If you are not available to attend in person, please advise in your application and we will endeavour to facilitate online should you be selected for interview.

As the Gate Theatre is a historic building access involves external steps and internal stairs, please include in your application email if you have any specific requirements should you be selected to attend an interview.

The intended start date for the role is 2nd September 2024.

If you wish to discuss the role or have any specific questions, please address them via email to Colm O’Callaghan, Executive Director, at colm.ocallaghan@gate-theatre.ie

Reminder for applications:

• CV
• Single page letter supporting your application
• Equal Opportunities Monitoring form - available via the button below.
• Email to hr@gate-theatre.ie by closing date (include any accessibility request, interview availability).