AV Operations Manager

AV Operations Manager

Uxbridge & London Venues

£35,000 to £38,000 (dependent on experience)

Your perspective:

• Private Healthcare after 12 months of service

• Employee supported volunteering

• Enhanced family leave provisions

• Perkbox and Employee assistance Programme

• Company sick pay 

• Employee recognition scheme

• Generous employee referral scheme

• Clearly defined Career path (and all the important support along the way)

• Access to state-of-the-art technology

• Global presence and opportunities worldwide

• Long Service Programme

Key Job Responsibilities

Operations Management (Pool & Shows)                                                                                                                                       

• Lead the generalist technician pool on a day to day basis, ensuring the right people are allocated to the right shows and tasks in line with business needs and agreed staffing levels.

• Act as onsite crew supervisor for allocated shows, taking responsibility for leading the generalist team during load ins, show runs, turnarounds and load outs, and ensuring work follows the agreed project plan, drawings and documentation prepared by the Project Manager and (technical) Specialists. On-site time is expected to be around 25% during off-peak periods and 75% during peak periods, averaging approximately 50% overall.

• Serve as the main on‑site operational point of contact once the Project Manager has handed over, introducing yourself to the client and venue as the single point of contact for technical delivery for that phase/shift.

• Ensure that every show has a clearly designated single point of contact (Ops Manager, senior specialist or PM on major shows) and that this is understood by the crew and client. Utilises the billing system to coordinate invoicing activities and ensures accuracy.

• Promote and enforce safe systems of work on site, including HSE compliance, safe rigging and lifting practices, appropriate breaks and working hours, and escalation of any safety or welfare concerns.

• Support Project Managers by decoupling their presence from routine load‑ins and load‑outs wherever appropriate, enabling them to focus on planning and leading the overall project rather than acting as crew chief.

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with venue staff, Project Managers, technical HODs/specialists, labour planning and warehouse teams to ensure smooth delivery and handovers.

Pool Management, Scheduling and Downtime

• Oversee the deployment of pool technicians, coordinating with labour planning to balance show requirements, travel, TOIL, leave and training commitments.

• Proactively manage downtime: identify when pool technicians should support warehouse operations, attend training, or take TOIL, and ensure that unallocated time is used productively.

• Monitor utilisation and workload across the pool, flagging capacity constraints or over reliance on specific individuals, and proposing adjustments to resourcing as required.

• Contribute to the phased transition of technicians from venues into the central pool, supporting clear communication, change management and integration into the new structure.

People Leadership and Development                                                                                                                                       

• Provide line management for pool technicians, including regular 1:1s, feedback, coaching, performance management, sickness and absence management, and initial handling of interpersonal issues within the pool.

  • Maintain a positive, inclusive and professional team culture which reflects company values and promotes collaboration between disciplines (“one team” mindset).

  • Work with L&D / Technical Training (e.g. internal technical trainers and their manager) to identify training needs, shape the annual training plan for the pool, and schedule attendance.

  • Promote and coordinate cross functional training across audio, video, lighting and rigging skills so that generalists can competently support multiple disciplines appropriate to their level.

  • Ensure team members adhere to company and venue (etiquette, dress code) and conduct standards, always representing the business professionally.

    Disclaimer:

    The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and may change, or additional tasks within scope of work may be assigned at any time with or without notice, as necessitated by business demands.

    Job Requirements

    ·       3+ years of experience in live events or audiovisual operations, including hands-on

    ·       technical work on shows.

    ·       1+ years of experience supervising or leading technical teams on site (e.g. crew boss, lead technician, senior engineer or equivalent).

    ·       Strong working knowledge of audiovisual and/or live event production workflows, with the ability to understand plans and coordinate across multiple technical disciplines.

    ·       Demonstrable experience leading loadins/loadouts and acting as main point of contact on site for clients and/or venue operations.

    ·       Proven ability to manage people in a line management context, including coaching, feedback, performance discussions and basic HR processes.

    ·       Experience coordinating or delivering training, or working closely with L&D/technical training teams, is desirable.

    ·       Proficiency with standard business software (e.g. Microsoft Office, email, scheduling tools) and ability to learn internal systems (e.g. billing, labour planning, learning management systems).

    ·       Strong communication skills, with the confidence to represent the business to clients, venues and internal stakeholders and to take accountability when acting as the responsible person on site.

    Competencies

    • Communication

    • Exceeding Customer Expectations

    • People Development

    • Teamwork

    • Concern for Quality

    • Drive Results

    • See the Bigger Picture

    • Do the Right Thing