Head Of Construction
Salary £ 44,058
Coventry, West Midlands
Vacancy listed 05/12/2025
Application deadline 09/01/2026
Details
Post: Head Of Construction

Salary & Band:  £44,058
Department:     Production
Contract:            Permanent
Hours:                  Full-time
Reporting to:    Director of Production & Operations
Starting date:   As soon as possible
Closing Date:     9 January 2026 at 5pm

Interview Dates: 12 January 2026

Responsible For: Safe and efficient running of all aspects of the workshop. The manufacture and maintenance of sets and other scenery and furniture


Location: Coventry

The Belgrade Theatre Coventry are seeking to appoint a Head of Construction to our Belgrade Theatre Scenery Workshop. This post will be responsible for the successful realisation of scenic elements for all of our in-house produced work and commercial client builds. This is an exciting opportunity to jointly lead Belgrade Theatre Scenery in tandem with our Head of Paint shop.

The role requires the highest standards of craftsmanship and efficiency in the building of set, props, and technical elements. The Head of Construction will actively seek out Clients and secure commercial work for Belgrade Theatre Scenery, as well as managing the workshop and construction department effectively and efficiently in delivering quality sets and scenery, built on time and in budget. 

The Head of Construction will be expected to evolve and maintain a high standard of set builds, have experience of high craftmanship and a wide knowledge of construction techniques and materials.

They will have the ability to interpret technical drawings, have good budgeting skills with a demonstrable understanding of Health & Safety legislation. An ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines, along with a solution based approach to problem solving, with a positive attitude and strong organisational skills being essential.

Aim of post:

  • To actively seek out Clients and secure commercial work for Belgrade Theatre Scenery
  • To manage the workshop and construction department effectively and efficiently in its delivery of quality sets, scenery, furniture, etc built on time and in budget, for all client builds and Belgrade productions, including Co-Productions, and In Association with productions 
  • To develop and maintain a high standard of product
  • To oversee maintenance and safe use of all workshop equipment (loose tools, equipment and machinery within carpenters shop, steelwork shop, props shop and paint shop).

Specific Responsibilities:

Operational

  • Provide timely and accurate costings for both Client and Belgrade builds and construction
  • To ensure CAD drawings for construction of scenic elements for workshop staff to work to are provided, ensuring that such drawings are accurate and reflect the designers needs as well as any necessary structural  requirements
  • To construct, repair and modify stage sets, scenery and furniture for Client Builds, as well as the Belgrade Theatre main house, studio, touring productions, and its associated companies within approved budgets
  • To work closely with the Production and Artistic teams, interpreting their requirements to realisation
  • To attend as necessary, technical and fit up periods to ensure quality construction of the sets
  • To service and attend as necessary Belgrade productions on tour
  • To attend all staff and production meetings
  • To be line manager for the Workshop staff (including casual and seasonal staff).
  • To appoint, supervise, support and motivate freelance/casual staff
  • To be responsible for Health & Safety in the Workshop.  Complying with HSE standards and insurance regulations seeing in particular that the workshop areas comply and are left clean and tidy after work and that staff are trained to use equipment. Being responsible for the safety and wellbeing of other members of the team and for Health and Safety within the workshop area.
  • To prepare risk assessments as required for all sets and work produced in the workshop.
  • To undertake staff training as appropriate.

Financial
  • Working with the Director of Production & Operations, control and report on agreed costings and budgets, both materials and staffing, using the Theatre’s appropriate systems
  • Ensuring that all costings generated are accurate, and that correct invoicing information is passed onto the BTS Administrator    
  • To work with the Director of Production & Operations in order to continue develop the Workshop as a commercial activity, constructing sets for external agencies and 3rd party CNC cutting

General
  • To oversee maintenance and safe use of all workshop equipment (loose tools, equipment and machinery within carpenters shop, steelwork shop, props shop and paint shop).
  • To develop “green” ways of working in the Workshop
  • To develop a succession plan for the BTS Head of Construction role, through the training of the BTS Deputy Head of Construction and other identified BTS staff, with particular regard to financial costing of builds and construction methods.
  • To undertake any other duties which are consistent with the function of the job including building and carpentry maintenance in other areas of the theatre’s operations.
  • In so much as duties permit support other departments if called upon. 


Person Specification:
Essential:

  • Willingness to embrace the Belgrade Brand Values.
  • Significant experience working in a similar environment with at least two years in a senior position.
  • Appreciation and understanding of all workshop disciplines, including carpentry, metalwork, furniture and property making.
  • Demonstrable strong technical skills in set building including ability to use appropriate hand and machine power tools.
  • Ability to offer creative solutions to realise a design with available resources.
  • Demonstrable strong management, budgetary and planning skills.
  • Leadership skills, with the demonstrable ability to motivate staff.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Fast and efficient working, self motivation and flexibility in an organisation constantly striving to improve its working practices 
  • A commitment to the principle of a building based theatre company.
  • Ability to work with a wide range of individuals and agencies.
  • Proficiency in the use of Word, Outlook and Excel and CAD applications.  Computer Literate:  the Theatre’s Accounting system is Access Dimensions and event management system is Artifax and this post requires the post holder to learn and use both
  • Numerate and literate
  • Proven ability to delegate according to skill set
  • Ability to realise construction solutions for all BPS projects including touring shows

Desirable:
  • General administration and office skills.
  • Experience of mainstream and community arts activities

Terms and Conditions:
  • This is an HOD post working on the AHA Agreement 
  • To start TBC
  • Entitlements carried forward from existing contract
  • There is no probation period for this post 
  • The notice period is two months either side
  • The starting salary for the post is 


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Working Hours: The working week is 39 hours working 5 days between Monday and Saturday, with a requirement for evening and weekend work on occasions. Working hours to be between 8am to 11pm. The postholder will be expected to fulfil the hours required to do the job but is not expected to work more than an average of 48 hours per week across the year in line with the Working Time Regulations. 

Overtime: This is a management role and does not attract overtime payments however TOIL (time off in lieu) will be agreed if Saturdays are worked as a 6th day, or for any work on a Sunday. UK Theatre/BECTU payments will be made in respect of Get-Outs that may be worked and are not part of weekly hours or accrued TOIL hours. 

Pension: auto-enrolment, with Belgrade currently making 3% employer contributions which will rise in line with legal requirements. The Theatre’s appointed pension provider is NEST. Further details are available.

Holidays: 28 days a year including Bank Holidays, rising a day per year, to a maximum 33 days.

The Belgrade operates a House Agreement based on the UK 

Theatre/BECTU (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union) Agreement and its Staff Handbook outlines the terms on sick pay, maternity leave and pay, paternity leave and pay, grievance and discipline and other relevant staff matters.

Staff are entitled to tickets for shows at the Belgrade Theatre, subject to particular conditions and 10% discount at the Theatre’s Café Bar and Bars

 The Belgrade is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Due to the job tasks of this post, it will require an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (formally CRB) check 

Due to the nature of this post, the post holder is expected to live within 25 miles of the Theatre. Relocation allowance based on BECTU is payable for those eligible (currently c £1500

On appointment the successful candidate must be able to provide the correct documents as proof of their right to work in the UK.

 It is our preference that the Technical Manager lives within easy commuting distance of Coventry.

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In your cover letter, tell us: 

  • Why you want to work for The Belgrade Theatre?
  • What experiences and skills do you have that you feel will illustrate your suitability for the role 

Our Commitment to Equality

 The Belgrade Theatre is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for everyone. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences—including but not limited to individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, faiths or beliefs, disabilities, and neurodiverse conditions.

We believe that a diverse workforce enriches our creative community and strengthens our connection to the audiences we serve. Our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and we strive to ensure that all employees and applicants feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full selves to work.

 If you require any adjustments, accommodations, or assistance at any stage of the recruitment or application process, please do not hesitate to contact us at recruitment@belgrade.co.uk with the subject line ‘Application Assistance’. We will work with you to provide the support you need to make your application journey as accessible and comfortable as possible.

If you are applying through the Disability Confident Scheme, please reference that in your cover letter or application, and complete the disability confident survey via this link: Disability Confident Survey.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM

The Belgrade Theatre is committed to ensuring equal opportunities, aiming to attract and work with staff from a wide diverse pool. The information that you give us on this form will be treated confidentially and stored on our HR database as statistical information only. This will be used to help monitor the diversity of applicants and to enable us to continue to develop policies and procedures regarding diversity and to submit required data to our funders. The information you supply will not be made available to anyone in any form other than anonymous data.

Please complete our monitoring form via this link: Diversity and Equal Opportunities form.

 At the Belgrade Theatre, we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive and contribute to telling powerful, diverse stories that reflect us
as a vibrant community.
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