Performing Arts Technician; Events

The Role

In this hands‑on role, you will support the planning and delivery of a wide range of events across GSA and the wider University. Working closely with academic staff, professional services colleagues, visiting artists, and students, you will help deliver high‑quality technical solutions that support learning, performance, and public engagement.

• School and University events, both on campus and at external venues
• Open days, auditions, and recruitment events
• Conferences, lectures, and symposia
• Public performances, showcases, and special events
• Research events and student society activities

The Technical Team provides equipment support, mentoring, maintenance, and expert guidance across all activity areas. Delivering an exceptional student, staff, and visitor experience is central to everything we do.

Working hours:

Typically 9am‑5pm, however the role requires flexibility, with hours subject to change to meet event schedules, including occasional evenings and weekends.

You will bring professional experience providing technical support for live events, conferences, or performances, ideally within a higher‑education, arts, or cultural environment.

• Strong practical knowledge of live event production, including sound, lighting, and basic AV systems
• Experience setting up, operating, and striking technical equipment for a variety of event types
• Excellent organisational, administrative, and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work collaboratively with staff, students, and external stakeholders
• Confidence supporting multiple events simultaneously and managing changing priorities
• Experience maintaining technical equipment and contributing to safe working practices
• A proactive, solution‑focused approach with a strong commitment to customer service
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of Health & Safety regulations and a commitment to safe, inclusive working practices

Experience working in a performance or conservatoire setting, and familiarity with university events and protocols, would be advantageous.

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life‑changing education and research. We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve – shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee. Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference.

As part of the University of Surrey, GSA is one of the UK’s leading drama schools, offering an inspiring and collaborative working environment. In this role, your skills and passion will directly contribute to shaping the future of theatre, performance, and production. In addition to salary, you will receive a yearly incremental pay rise, generous annual leave entitlement and pension, access to world‑class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes, and supportive family‑friendly benefits including an excellent on‑site nursery.

We also offer relocation assistance where appropriate, flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), and a range of travel schemes and supportive family‑friendly benefits including an excellent on‑site nursery.