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Job Description / Duties

About the role

We are currently seeking an experienced Head of Scenic Art to join the Opera Australia Technical team, based at The Opera Centre in Surry Hills. In this role, you will leverage your extensive experience as a Head of Scenic Art or equivalent, along with a deep understanding of the operational intricacies of theatrical production.

Reporting to the Workshop Manager, the Head of Scenic Art will oversee, coordinate, and manage all scenic art elements, including both soft and hard sets, as well as refurbishments across Opera Australia's repertoire of productions. This role is integral to translating the Designer's scenic concepts into tangible realities for each production.

This is a 2 year fixed term contract.

Key Areas of focus
Scenic Art Production
• Work closely with designers and directors to understand their design concept and advise on the correct process to achieve desired effects
• Responsible for the Scenic finishing for scenery and large props for new productions and revivals for all OA projects
• Researching the best materials to use to realise the creative vision in collaboration with the creatives
• Provide samples of scenic finishes to designers to help realise the creative vision in a cost-effective manner
• Create estimates and manage budgets for all productions
• Ensure that the budget is adhered to
• Manage staff levels to ensure all manufacturing deadlines are met
• Keep up with the latest international industry developments in scenic art

Administration
• Managing time sheets for all scenic staff
• Monitoring Scenic art budgets
• Ordering materials using the purchasing order system (IPOS)
• Ensure paint stock is managed and up to date
• Reconciling company credit card

Team Leadership
• Supervise and mentor Scenic art staff
• Communicate direction and a clear vision of success
• Inspire and motivate the team
• Providing the scenic art team with professional advice, guidance and help in solving technical problems to enable them to perform their jobs effectively
• Resolve technical problems and staff conflicts to promote the team’s productivity, quality, standards and wellbeing
• Generate confidence in the team and empower them
• Manage scenic art staff in regard to personal development, morale, skill development, productivity and efficiency

Work Health and Safety & Compliance
• Follow all Work Health and Safety policies and guidelines
• Undertake any other duties as required, which are within the limits of the employee’s skill, competence, and training.
• Ensure all necessary licenses and safety certificates are acquired and kept valid and up to date

Qualifications / Required Skills

About you
We are seeking candidates who have high level problem solving and judgement skills, as well as leadership and influence skills. You will have advanced attention to detail, as well as time management.

You will have:
• Demonstrated experience working as a Head of Scenic or equivalent, for a minimum of 10 years
• Demonstrate an understanding of the operational requirements of a Theatrical production
• Excellent organisation and communication skills, written and verbal
• Management experience
• Staging experience
• Demonstrated ability to work with creative and technical personnel and performers
• Ability to work under pressure, using tact, diplomacy, and flexibility
• An understanding of repertory production and Staging Practices.
• Intermediate MS office skills including Excel, Outlook

It is preferred you have
• Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator skills
• Understanding of the operation of laser cutting machine (to cut stencils/patterns)

Appointment to this position is subject to the position holder having residency status and/or possessing a visa with work rights or Opera Australia will aim to support all visa nomination requirements if you are applying from overseas.

Additional Information

What we offer

Being Australia’s National opera company, we are committed to fostering a safe and collaborative environment for all. Our values are Curious, Creative, Collaborative, Brave, and Inclusive, and we are dedicated to supporting your journey at OA.

• Strong diversity and inclusion priority
• Generous Leave Policy including First Nation's Cultural & Ceremonial Leave, Cultural & Religious Holiday Leave, Education Leave, Women's Health Leave, Gender Affirmation Leave, and more
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts through our Swag Rewards platform and other affiliated businesses
• Complimentary tickets to select Opera Australia shows

Salary: $85,000 AUD/year

Contact Information

If this sounds like you then please send through your CV and cover letter via our website https://opera.org.au/about/jobs/?ja-job=759368.

For any enquiries about this role, or a copy of the full position description please contact our People team at people@opera.org.au

Employer Profile

Opera Australia’s (OA) Vision is to become an opera for a 21st century Australia with a mission to bring an Australian stamp to telling great stories through music and song.

Opera Australia is one of the largest arts organization in Australia, presenting performances at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne as a resident company, as well as working collaboratively with venues across the country (such as Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Uluru, Cockatoo Island, Her Majesty’s Theatre) for special events.

For more about OA please refer to our website: www.opera.org.au/