Technical & Buildings Manager

Job Title: Technical & Buildings Manager

Reports to: General Manager

Contract: Full time, permanent.

Salary: up to £42,000 per annum

• 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional paid day off for your birthday
• Two paid days per year to support fundraising or volunteering in aid of the Theatre’s Preservation Trust

Tyne Theatre and Opera House is an independent charitable trust and one of the North East’s most significant historic cultural venues. As a heritage asset in active public use, the Trust is committed to ensuring the theatre is valued, accessible and relevant to contemporary communities, now and in the future.

Community engagement, participation and co‑creation are central to the Trust’s mission and underpin its approach to long‑term sustainability, skills development and public benefit, in line with the priorities of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Technical and Buildings Manager is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the technical operation, maintenance, safety and stewardship of the Tyne Theatre & Opera House building and its performance infrastructure.

• Lead the technical and buildings teams
• Ensure safe, compliant and high‑quality technical delivery across all performances and events
• Oversee the care and maintenance of a complex Grade I‑listed building
• Play an active role in capital, conservation and refurbishment projects.
• Contribute strategically as a member of the wider leadership team

This role combines operational excellence with long‑term thinking about conservation, renewal and legacy.

• Act as a core member of the organisation’s leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and decision‑making.
• Lead, motivate and develop the technical and buildings team, including permanent staff, casual technicians and contractors.
• Champion a culture of professionalism, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Oversee all technical delivery for performances, rehearsals, hires and events.
• Ensure effective planning, staffing and resourcing of technical activity.
• Act as the principal point of contact for visiting companies and production teams.

• Manage the day‑to‑day care, maintenance and operation of the building, its fabric and services.
• Develop and deliver planned and reactive maintenance programmes.
• Oversee contractors, consultants and suppliers working within the building.

• Play a leading role in the delivery of conservation, restoration and refurbishment projects.
• Work closely with heritage professionals, funders and project teams to ensure works are appropriate, compliant and well integrated into live operations.
• Support fundraising activity through technical input, site engagement and advocacy.

• Hold responsibility for health and safety across technical and building operations.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, licensing and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain robust systems for risk assessment, maintenance records and emergency planning.

• Significant experience in technical and/or buildings management within a theatre, heritage venue or similarly complex operational environment.
• Proven experience of leading teams and managing contractors.
• Strong technical knowledge of theatre systems and building services.
• Demonstrable expertise in health & safety management and compliance.
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to operate confidently at leadership level.

• Experience working within a listed or historic building.
• Experience contributing to capital, refurbishment or conservation projects.
• Health & safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH, IOSH).
• Technical or professional qualifications relevant to theatre or facilities management.

• Stewards – caring for a nationally significant heritage asset.
• Collaborative – working across disciplines and communities.
• Ambitious – striving for excellence and long‑term sustainability.
• Welcoming – open,…