JOB DESCRIPTION
Role / Title:

Orchestra Production Manager

Reports to:Orchestra Director

Manages:Orchestra Operations Manager
Orchestra Operations Assistant Managers
Casual staff as appropriate.

Liaises with:

Orchestral Management
OROH Musicians, Extra and Deputies
Music Directors, Guest Conductors
Production and Creative teams
Technical, Production & CostumeStage Management
Music Library
Health and Safety Manager
Visiting Orchestra / ensembles
Broadcast and recording engineers
Facilities Department

Overall Purpose of the Job:
To take overall responsibility for ensuring that all necessary technical,
practical and seating requirements are in place for all work of theOrchestra of the Royal Opera House at all venues and for all work ofguest Orchestras and ensembles appearing at the Royal Opera House,ensuring the highest standards of safety at all times.
Key Accountabilities:
Scheduling and Planning•••

Attend House wide planning meetings and closely monitor all
forward schedules for the RBO, advising the Orchestra
Director/Orchestra Manager of the impact of all schedulingdecisions on the operations of the OROH and all visiting
ensembles, particularly in terms of venue management,
contractual obligations and health and safety.
Ensure that any H&S and practical considerations for the OROH/
visiting ensembles are reported back at the House wide postproduction meetings.
Liaise with production and creative teams, technical and stage
management, broadcasting and recording engineers, Musical••••••

Directors and guest conductors, particularly in the case of
productions new to the RBO, to determine the impact of any
aspect of the production on the work of the OROH and all visiting
ensembles.
Advise the Orchestra Director as to any anticipated expenditure
required in order to carry out the work of the department
effectively and make all efforts to then operate within an agreed
budget, providing documentation as required for all expenditureand ensure that the expenses system is updated.
Plan and present to the orchestra pit layouts for the upcoming
season, highlighting performance sound related issues andsolutions.
Agree a pit layout with all conductors in advance of the rehearsal
period taking into consideration both their requirements andpaying due regard to H&S considerations.
Meet annually with both Music Directors to discuss pit planningfor each season to ensure that their advice and views are taken
into consideration.
Liaise with the orchestra management team for all guest
orchestras/ensembles advising on pit lay out, H&S
considerations and all other technical requirements.
Represent the Orchestra Director in their absence in all matterspertaining to the operations of the Orchestra taking decisions asnecessary ensuring that the Director is fully appraised of all
pertinent information on his/her return.

Pit Technical Management•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•

Ensure that all technical facilities in the orchestra pit, such as
elevators, lighting, safety net and seating are clean, maintainedand safe for use at all times
Maintain detailed and accurate records of all venue andrepertoire lay outs ensuring that such records are readily
available.
Manage and take responsibility for the safe handling, storage
and transportation of all OROH instruments and equipment.
Working with the stage engineers to design any additional
orchestral hardware that is required.
Advise the Orchestra Director of any maintenance or repair due
to ROH property and be prepared to facilitate any necessary
arrangements in relation to such maintenance and repair toinclude the hire of replacement equipment if necessary.
Liaise with the relevant companies with regard to keyboard
requirements for rehearsals, performances and concerts andoversee positioning, maintenance and tuning as required.
Liaison with visiting companies with regard to their technicaland artistic needs, access requirements and risk assessments.
Oversee the maintenance of a detailed inventory of all OROH
property, to include musical instruments, music stands, chairs
and all other tools and equipment that have been purchased by
the ROH to enable the work of the Orchestra. Oversee the hire

JD Orchestra Production Manager 2024
Page 2 of 6

of any OROH
organisations.

instrumentsorequipment

toexternal

Staff Management•••

Manage the Orchestra Operations Manager, the AssistantOrchestra Operations Managers and any casual staff on a day
to day basis, managing all personnel requirements, training andhealth and safety needs.
Oversee the rota for the Orchestra Operations team ensuringthat the duty operations team have the pit, stage or rehearsal
space (as appropriate) set and ready for use at the scheduled
time and in accordance with the requirements of the repertoire.
Advise the Orchestra Director on any arising capability,
disciplinary or industrial relations matters.

Health and SafetyAll Orchestra Operations staff are responsible for the general Healthand Safety of employees and visitors while they are in the Orchestra
work areas.
•••
•
•••
•
••

Work with the Orchestra Director to develop workable solutions
to health & safety issues affecting members of the Orchestra
Take the lead in performance sound monitoring and risk
assessment
Oversee the development and maintenance of the noise
database
Carry out and maintain risk assessments for all productions,orchestra working areas, touring/concert venues and specificnoise risk assessments for individual productions.
Ensure that accurate records are maintained of any incidents
that occur and that they are online for further investigation by
the H&S Manager if appropriate.
Liaise regularly with Orchestral Health and Safety reps on safety
matters affecting the Orchestra.
Remain abreast of any changes in workplace H&S laws and work
to maintain the highest level of safety in the workplace at alltimes.
Ensure that all of the Operations staff are trained in the effective
use of noise monitoring tools and software.
Take an active role on the Performance Sound working groupupdating the group on any sound related issues and solutions
and contribute to policies and procedures in that area.
Undertake training to act as a Fire warden and First-aider in theevent of an accident or emergency.

Transport and tours••

Arrange and ensure the safe transportation of all instruments
and equipment for all outside venues and tours.
Prepare tour documentation and packing as necessary

JD Orchestra Production Manager 2024
Page 3 of 6••Attend get-ins and get-outs on tour as requested.
Undertake visits to venues on behalf of the Orchestra, ifrequested, in order to ascertain the suitability of a venue forfuture performances

Rehearsal/Performance Duties
All Orchestra Operations staff undertake rehearsal/performance duties
which are in addition to the responsibilities outlined above.
•For performance, be well presented either in OROH issue
blacks or Dinner Suit / smart blacks (when required) from thetime the Stage Manager calls the half until the end of the call.

•Put all necessary scores on the correct music stand. At the endof a call, return the conductor’s score, and collect and store
the orchestral music. Reorganise the Pit as necessary for thenext event in the pit.

•Ensure all musicians have sufficient space to perform andmake changes to the pit layout as necessary to achieve this.
Advise orchestral management of any potential problems ofany changes or difficulties that were experienced during a callby musicians or other production staff.

•In performance, liaise with stage management standing by at
the pit/stage entrance until the conductor is in place and thehouse lights are down. Ensure the timely preparation, setting
and clearing of stage bands and related facilities whenrequired.

•

While on duty, be available and contactable at all times, eitherin the operations office or via your mobile phone, to deal withproblems as they arise. During a call (from the half), during
orchestral breaks and at the conclusion, standby at thepit/stage being clearly visible to musicians, taking note ofproblems they may have encountered and make every effort
to resolve any issues.

•Attend to conductors’ requirements, and where possible, liaise
with them at the start and conclusion of a call to check thatthey are comfortable with stand, stool, lighting or othermatters as required.

•In the absence of orchestra management staff, fulfil the role ofDuty Orchestra Manager for occasional Royal Ballet and Opera
performances.

JD Orchestra Production Manager 2024
Page 4 of 6

Person Specification
Knowledge, Technical Skills and Experience
••••
•
•

An exceptional proven track record in an orchestral management,
technical or events project management role.
Considerable knowledge and experience of the working practises ofa professional orchestra and the theatre
The ability to read music (basic level) and engage with orchestra
players.
Considerable expertise and experience in the safe handling, storage
and transportation of musical instruments.
A working knowledge of relevant H&S regulations including thecurrent Noise at work regulations
Proficient Microsoft Office user as well as experience with software
such as OPAS, DIESE, AutoCAD or other event management
system software.

Management Skills•••••••

Strong project management skills and ability to deliver to budget
and deadlines. Track record of taking and accepting responsibility
for projects and initiatives.
Ability to react quickly to situations, to be reliable and resilient, toperform consistently under pressure and to respond positively tochanging circumstances.
Flexible and adaptable in thinking and approach, able to plan andmanage change.
Ability to understand the physical problems encountered by players
in the pit and on stage, and to work together with those players,
individually and in sections, to resolve the problems where possible
Communicate both in writing and orally in a fluent and persuasive
manner, in good clear English, and to listen, negotiate and beassertive as appropriate.
Staff management skills to ensure direct reports are motivated,competent and supported through training and coaching to achieve
consistently high standards of performance.
Fairness and consistency in team management and application of
RBO and Department policies, procedures and standards.

Job Requirements• Awareness of Health and Safety legislation and Equal Opportunities•••

principles.
Flexibility to work varied hours including regular evenings andweekends for scheduled performances and to work on tour asrequired.
Physically capable of performing the role – standing, walking long
distances over uneven surfaces, climbing, lifting, sitting for longperiods.
Able to travel within the UK or abroad as required.

JD Orchestra Production Manager 2024
Page 5 of 6Note:
This Job Description reflects the current situation. It
does not preclude change or development that might be required inthe future.

JD Orchestra Production Manager 2024
Page 6 of 6