Assistant Production Manager (Apprentice)

We are currently recruiting for an Assistant Production Manager Apprentice to join our Production team on a full-time 24 month contract.

The Assistant Production Manager is a Masters equivalent apprenticeship (Level 7 Creative Industries Production Management Apprenticeship) aimed at individuals who have already been working professionally in Theatre, Opera or Live events in a technical area for some time and who now want to move their career into Production Management. 

As an Assistant Production Manager you will work alongside some of the most eminent industry professionals in the country, and with international creative teams, on world class Opera productions at Glyndebourne. This is a full time onsite role involving working some evenings and weekends when we are in production. You will be given 1 day a week to attend lectures, usually online, or to complete your coursework and portfolio for the final assessment. After the 2 year fixed term role you will be qualified and equipped to move into a career in Production or Technical Management.

Please note that this role is not suitable for recent graduates from Production and Stage Management degree courses. 

Job Purpose

To assist the Production Managers in the technical delivery of shows and events, and to learn and apply the skills of a Production Manager, including technical realisation of creative concepts, management of onstage work, procurement, budget management and team collaboration, whilst studying a higher apprenticeship qualification with Chichester College.

This is a CPD opportunity for an existing professional in technical production to move into a production Management role, or a recent graduate who has the required experience.  The role is for a fixed term of 24 months.
 

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Assist the Production Managers with the production of drawings, paperwork and specifications and such other tasks as required

• Support Production managers with technical information, processing of orders and payments, collections and deliveries of materials and equipment and undertaking on-stage fit-up work as required

• Work collaboratively alongside the technical departments to assist in their work to develop and maintain production and technical skills required to work as a Production Manager

• Where opportunity arises, take on the role of Assistant Production Manager to production managers, managing tasks nominated by them and deputising for them when required

• Take on the role of Production Manager on a nominated project or production in order to complete the requirements of the apprenticeship program

• To undertake work experience and/or placements with other theatres and organisations across the country

• Produce and distribute technical design documentation and information to theatre departments, creative team members, external and specialist contractors

• Assist stage management teams on individual shows with preparation for rehearsals, including plans, materials, mark outs, vehicle loading and transport requirements

• Prepare and maintain model boxes, and organise their delivery and collection to creative team members

• Undertake technical drawing tasks for various departments, including undertaking surveys and measurements, developing existing plans, creating plans, sections, and 3D views

• Assist in the safe and effective management of theatre stores, maintain storage systems and keep a tidy workspace

• When required, work on live performances, developing and undertaking site management, show operation roles, creating and working to a cue sheet and performing day-to-day pre-show maintenance and checks

• Collaborate on the ongoing development of Theatre Greenbook practices and advocate for sustainability in theatre productions

• Attend Chichester College seminar online regularly to complete a higher Apprenticeship

• To complete coursework as set out by the College and submit these in a timely manner as requested

• Collect evidence of your work in the form of photographs, videos, notes, paperwork and plans to form a professional portfolio for submission at the end point assessment

• Undertake an end-point assessment at the end of the Apprenticeship. 

• If required, undertake a re-sit exam for the end-point assessment if you are unsuccessful at the first attempt

• This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the apprentice will be required to perform other reasonable job-related or ad-hoc duties outside of this as operationally required and at the discretion of the Technical Heads of Departments and Senior team

Key Apprenticeship Outcomes

• Learn theatre production processes including design and costing stages, model presentations, rehearsals, fit up, technical rehearsals, performance and get out

• Develop an understanding of construction methods and materials in scenic creation as well as learning about whole life cost, sustainability and carbon budgeting

• Learn to carry out technical surveys of buildings, read and develop plans and technical specifications

• Be able to draw technical drawings both by hand and using CAD

• Learn about tender processes both for construction as well as hires and procurement

• Learn how to manage delivery of all the physical aspects of a production or event from design through to press night and then maintaining a production through performance to get out and disposal

• Develop the necessary practical skills to be able to analyse and interpret a creative brief into a production schedule and budget

• Learn the organisational structure and hierarchies of a production and creative team and the reporting structures within them

• Gain an understanding of legal, ethical, environmental and financial policies relating to production management

• Learn to manage and lead a production team including developing and delegating tasks and responsibilities, setting goals and managing performance

• Develop the skills and knowledge to set budgets, develop financial controls, communicate financial changes including negotiating overspends with producers or financial controllers

• Be able to manage the day-to-day running of production schedules with all production and venue staff, ensuring deadlines are met whilst maintaining standards and ensuring adherence to health and safety protocols

• Apply HSAW and CDM legislation and regulations to events and live performance to meet the requirements of licensing and local authorities

• Be able to ensure Health and Safety legislation and organisational policies are adhered to, and help develop and manage the application of risk assessments, method statements, permit to work systems and security policies

• Learn to work in hazardous locations using appropriate PPE as required and instructed

• Develop and manage a program of personal CPD, including developing networks and relationship management

• Learn about the wider theatre and live events industry, including relevant legislation, unions and industry bodies

• Keep up to date with technical and production developments in the live arts through independent reading and research

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

ESSENTIAL

• Significant experience of professional work, or Higher Education training, in theatre or live events in a technical or stage management role but not in Production Management

• Excellent communication and organisational skills

• A positive and willing attitude to learning and to attending college to achieve an apprenticeship standard

• An enthusiastic, committed and flexible attitude to work, including the ability to work anti-social hours

• A positive, professional and presentable demeanor, and confidence communicating with people at all levels

• Have experience of working independently and carrying out independent research

• Excellent punctuality and good time management

• Computer literate with experience of using CAD packages for viewing of documentation, and use of Word and Excel or similar

• Demonstrable ability to read plans, understand scale and extract basic information contained within them

• Experience in the use of measuring equipment and basic hand tools

• GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), in English and Mathematics

DESIRABLE

• A university degree or formal training in Technical Theatre or Stage Management

• Ability to draft from scratch in CAD or Vectorworks

• Experience in using 3D modelling software such as Rhino, Autocad 3D and Sketchup

• Lighting, Sound or scenic engineering skills

• ICT qualification or experience is desirable

Hours

This is a fixed-term, 24 month contract starting in January 2026.

The contractual hours are based on 48 hours per week. The job will at times require unsociable working hours.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position is £46,300 per annum. Salaries are reviewed annually on the 1st January.

We offer 33 days/6.6 weeks holiday inclusive of bank holidays, per annum.

We can offer a beautiful working environment, and the chance to see world-class opera.  For those without their own transport we have a free minibus service to and from Lewes railway station. 

We also offer: 

• Free Pilates and Zumba classes, once a week

• Corporate Gym memberships

• An onsite Physiotherapist 

• Cost price electric car charging

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Subsidised dining at our onsite restaurants

• Free tea and coffee

• Discount at the Glyndebourne shop

• Free on-site parking 

• Free minibus service to and from Lewes train station and Ringmer

• Discount at various highstreet retailers through the Glyndebourne benefits hub

How to Apply

Glyndebourne is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Registered Charity. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for vacancies, including ethnically diverse and disabled candidates, who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

Please apply by completing your application via our website.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 23rd November. Interviews will take place on Monday 8th or Wednesday 10th December.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our vacancies. If relevant to you, please inform us of this in your covering letter. If you have any questions in relation to this or if you would like this advert sent to you in a larger or dyslexia friendly font then please contact a member of the HR team at recruitment@glyndebourne.com. 

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