Job Description, Terms and Conditions:
JOB TITLE: Director of Producing
LOCATION: Lyceum Theatre Offices, 30b Grindlay Street, Edinburgh
SALARY Range between £45,000 to £50,000 per annum, plus pension and benefits
TERMS: Full-time, Permanent (35 hours per week, flexible working considered)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Artistic Director & Executive Director
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Producers, Artist Development Producer, Production Manager, Programming and Producing Coordinator, and Associate Artists
MAIN PURPOSE OF POST:
The Director of Producing is tasked with producing and enabling the delivery of all aspects of the company's artistic programme taking place in the theatre, across Edinburgh touring, co-producing nationally and internationally, working closely with the artistic teams and the production department to ensure the programme is delivered in line with our ambition and resources.
The Director of Producing will work with the Chief Executives to optimise potential future life productions through co-productions, tours and transfers. A key element of the role is managing the artistic planning and programming for the company. The Director of Producing will play a pivotal role ensuring excellent communications between creative teams, internal departments and external partners, deputising for the artistic director as required.
The role will contribute to the overall strategic development of the theatre as a member of the Senior Management Team. The Director of Producing reports to the Co-Chief Executives but is line managed by the Executive Director. The post works closely with the Director of Audience & Commercial, the Director of Finance and Administration and the Director of Estates and Facilities and also has an important role in liaising with colleagues in Development, HR and Creative Learning departments to support the delivery of our productions.
The strategic aims of this post are:
• To support the Artistic Director to produce a programme of work that supports our Artistic Vision.
• To develop and implement our Business Plan.
• To recruit, develop and retain the most talented producing and production team.
• To seek and develop investors, co-producers and other new partners for our Productions, both local and international
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Producing and Planning
• To manage the effective delivery of all the Theatre’s productions, co-productions and received work which is presented or supported by The Lyceum. In particular to
▪ Lead on planning, development, negotiation and management of productions, tours and transfers.
▪ Negotiate, contract and manage creative teams.
▪ Prepare detailed budgets for our programme of productions, development, tours and transfers.
• To manage all aspects of artistic planning and lead on scheduling the artistic programme, working closely with the Chief Executives.
• To manage active relationships with co-producing partners, touring venues and presenters, including leading on the detail of partnership negotiations and acting as the day-to-day point of liaison.
• To develop relationships by maintaining a national and international co-producing and commissioning network in order to develop the optimum future life potential of projects beyond The Lyceum Theatre.
2. Finance & Management
• To work closely with the Production Manager and wider production team throughout the planning, budgeting and delivery stage of productions to ensure effective planning, high quality delivery and effective use of resources.
• In consultation with Executive Director and Director of Finance & Administration to set and manage production budgets and to ensure accurate management of all agreed production budgets, providing timely and accurate updates of budget projections, cash flows and other financial information as required and within agreed finance and accountancy procedures and formats.
• To work with the Executive Director and Director of Audience & Commercial to set income targets from the programme of work.
• In conjunction with the Production Manager, manage the Workshop Manager, Stage Management and Wardrobe teams.
3. Artist Development
• To manage the Artist Development Producer in overseeing the commissioning of new scripts and The Company’s Reading Committee which will consider potential new scripts for production and artists for collaboration.
4. Leadership
• Work with the relevant Directors to support the delivery of key company objectives in fundraising, income generation and delivery of productions, community and participation projects.
• Prepare and present regular reports relating to the areas of responsibility to the Chief Executives, Board or other relevant bodies as and when required
• Support the delivery of company’s HR policies including Health and Safety, Access and Equalities and Diversity action plans, to ensure a healthy and safe working environment is achieved.
• Represent The Lyceum at arts events, conferences and festivals throughout Scotland and beyond, developing relationships with industry partners and acting as an ambassador for the theatre’s work.
• Ensure effective communication and co-operation with all staff and departments across the company and implement effective internal communication strategies.
• Keep abreast of local, national and international developments in arts in contemporary theatre and arts and ensure that The Lyceum Theatre is at the forefront of developing these areas.
• Attend Lyceum Theatre shows and participatory showcases including press nights and fundraising events where appropriate/necessary.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
• Significant professional experience of managing and producing theatre in either the subsidised or commercial sector.
• Knowledge and experience of working with mid/large-scale Arts organisations.
• Experience of, and passion for, working directly with creative teams and facilitating artistic processes.
• Experience of negotiation and partnership working with a range of co-producers and funders to deliver artistic projects.
• Experience of planning and managing touring work at a national level.
• Experience of international touring.
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at various stages of gestation simultaneously.
• Excellent administration and budget management skills.
• Ability to generate and follow through on ideas which will enhance the successful delivery of productions.
• Ability to generate imaginative solutions to creative challenges.
• A self-motivated team player, with an outgoing and enthusiastic personality, able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines with patience and good humour.
• Knowledge of UK Theatre/Equity/MU agreements and experience in negotiation and writing contracts.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, actively listening and building a rapport with colleagues and industry partners.
• Ability to identify and develop mutually beneficial partnership agreements.
• A genuine enthusiasm for theatre
• Proven networking and negotiation skills, demonstrable development of good partnerships with other individuals and organisations.
Desirable
• Experience of producing mid-scale theatre productions in a building-based theatre company.
• An existing network of relationships with a number of major UK theatres, industry bodies and arts funders.
• Experience of working with child performers including knowledge of licensing regulations.
• Experience of managing Production and Stage Management Teams
• Knowledge and understanding of the arts in Scotland.
• Entrepreneurial mindset.
• A good network of international promoters and presenters
HOW TO APPLY:
Please apply in writing with the following information:
• An up-to-date CV highlighting relevant experience, not more than 2 sides of A4.
• Covering letter setting out how your skills and experience meet the person specification.
• Names and contact details of two referees.
We encourage applications from the global majority, disabled, neurodiverse, the LGBTQIA+ community, and those who feel they are underrepresented in the current Lyceum workforce.
Please note that if you don’t feel you fit the essential criteria of the role but would still like to apply, we encourage you to do so with further information about why you’re a great fit. If you would like to apply through an alternative means, such as video or audio file, you’re welcome to do so. To discuss the roles and interview process further, please contact: jobs@lyceum.org.uk
Closing date for applications Friday 5th May at 5pm.
The Company
The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh is the leading producing theatre in Scotland and one of the United Kingdom’s most prolific theatre companies.
Led by Artistic Director David Greig and Executive Director Mike Griffiths, The Lyceum has developed a reputation for innovative, artistically exciting, high-quality theatre, drawing upon the considerable talent in Scotland as well as developing award-winning work with national and international partners. These co-productions and collaborations represent a core strand of the company’s strategy to extend the life of The Lyceum’s productions and to present the company’s work across the UK and abroad. This was recognised by our nomination for Regional Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards 2020.
The Lyceum is committed to being a truly civic theatre rooted in the community, diversifying voices, entertaining, challenging and inspiring all the people of Edinburgh. Therefore, a very important part of The Lyceum’s offering is a well-attended and varied programme of engagement, outreach, youth theatre and schools’ projects delivered by our Creative Learning team. As well as excelling creatively, the company has developed deeper links to the community and is expanding its artist development opportunities.
The theatre with its seating capacity of 658, is a magnificent example of late Victorian theatre architecture. Our offices and rehearsal space are directly across the road, and our scenic workshop and wardrobe-making departments are situated at Roseburn, which is a little over a mile away from the theatre.