Faculty of the Humanities

Department of Drama and Theatre Arts

Bloemfontein Campus

Technical Theatre Manager (post level 9)

Job ID: 6644

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                     

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Plan, develop and coordinate technical requirements for departmental productions and recommend technical production solutions.
• Prepare technical production drawings and specifications (CAD design, set and lighting designs).
• Design and programme lighting, sound, audio-visual and special-effects systems for outside events and departmental productions.
• Design and build scenic elements and production props.
• Coordinate technical production setup for outside events and departmental productions (rigging and focusing lighting equipment; installing sound and audio-visual equipment).
• Oversee and coordinate the operation of technical theatre systems during rehearsals, assessments and performances.
• Provide technical support for departmental events and external users of Department-managed venues.
• Coordinate procurement of technical equipment, materials and consumables.
• Monitor technical operational expenditure.
• Maintain workshop facilities, technical assets and inventory, and specialist equipment.
• Facilitate the practical implementation of technical theatre teaching and learning activities, under the direction of the relevant academic staff member.
• Facilitate and provide technical oversight during practical assessments and student productions, under the direction of the relevant academic staff member.
• Coordinate and supervise technical work performed by technical personnel, student assistants and contractors.
• Identify and implement approved improvements to technical theatre operations.

Inherent requirements:

• A relevant three-year Diploma at NQF Level 6 or a Bachelor’s degree at NQF Level 7 with specialisation in Technical Theatre, Theatre Technology, Performing Arts Technology, Drama and Theatre Arts (with technical aspects as part of the curriculum) or an equivalent relevant qualification (attach proof).
• A minimum of three (3) years of substantial relevant technical theatre industry experience, on national professional platforms (attach proof e.g. copy of contract, copy of festival booklet or any official proof of work done at festivals) or a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in current technical theatre operations, production support and venue management as a professional in established industry performance spaces (attach proof).
• Experience in coordinating technical productions, maintaining specialist theatre equipment and implementing occupational health and safety requirements.
• Experience in supervising or coordinating technical staff, student assistants and contractors.
• Essential knowledge of the majority of the following: Technical theatre operations, stage production and venue management; theatre lighting consoles (MADot2, Grand MA3 and Vista S3); analogue and digital audio consoles (Yamaha DM3D Digital Mixing Console); audio-visual and stage systems (e.g. counterweight flybar system, stage wagons/trucks, etc.); scenic construction and workshop practices; technical design, drafting, visualisation and fabrication software (e.g. SketchUp, Vectric VCarve, RDWorks and Adobe Photoshop) and technical production documentation; Occupational Health and Safety Act and related regulations.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, as required by rehearsals, productions and events.

Recommendations:

• Knowledge of: University procurement, asset management and financial administration processes, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Essential skills: Technical theatre planning and production coordination; technical problem-solving and fault diagnosis; operation and maintenance of theatre equipment; budget and asset administration; planning and prioritisation; leadership and supervision; stakeholder engagement; communication and report writing.
• Additional training and certification: Industry-recognised training or certification in technical theatre and entertainment technology; training or certification in areas such as entertainment rigging, theatre lighting and control systems, professional audio systems, audio-visual technology, stage machinery, working at heights, electrical safety and occupational health and safety; product-specific or manufacturer-accredited  training  in  professional  theatre  and entertainment technology systems would be advantageous (attach proof).

Required competencies:

Results Orientated:

• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:

• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties:
1 January 2027

Closing date:
05 November 2026

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 9813 or email PhokaR@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.az.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 7659 / 2979 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:

ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.