Deputy Head of Department Sound

Tech assistance to HoD - Sound. Ensure crews are rostered & managed in accordance with relevant enterprise agreements & legislation.

• Full time vacancy on a 2-year fixed term contract
• Continue your career at the heart of the arts in South Australia
• Exciting opportunity in a unique venue for a technical theatre professional
• $81,186 per annum plus 12% superannuation

About Adelaide Festival Centre

Established in 1973, Adelaide Festival Centre is South Australia’s principal performing arts venue and a leading Asia Pacific cultural centre. Adelaide Festival Centre produces a bold, exciting and extensive program of festivals, events and performances all year round, to inspire educate and entertain audiences from a variety of ages and cultures. Adelaide Festival Centre prides itself on providing support and development and maintaining a positive work environment for all employees.  As the home of performing arts in South Australia, we aim to uphold exceptional customer service to external organisations and patrons.

Adelaide Festival Centre operates four theatres in the Adelaide CBD – the Festival Theatre, Dunstan Playhouse, Space Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre.

About the vacancy

As we prepare for our relaunch following redevelopment, Adelaide Festival Centre is looking for a technical theatre professional to support the leadership of the Sound Department.

Reporting the Head of Department (HoD) – Sound, the Deputy HoD – Sound will support the HoD in effectively and efficiently managing the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Sound Department by providing leadership, training and mentoring to the Sound Team.

This role is responsible for ensuring crews are rostered and managed in accordance with the relevant enterprise agreements and legislation, and will assist the HoD with the coordination and communication of activities within all venues, support the capital and upgrade works as they relate to sound as well as lead the development and refinement of asset maintenance and safety information and protocols.

This role is available in a full-time capacity for a period of two years in the first instance.  If you can hit the ground running and have extensive experience in sound for events, shows and performances don’t miss out on this opportunity to apply!

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Sound bump ins and outs, rehearsals and performances of shows and events.
• Independently set up and operate a wide range of Sound equipment, working within Adelaide Festival Centre operational guidelines.
• Coordinate and participate in the rehearsal and performance of technical changes and cues.
• Liaise and interpret client requirements for a production and instigate actions that will achieve stated objectives and where appropriate provide solutions.
• Attend production meetings as representative of department as required
• Develop weekly rosters for area of responsibility ensuring all legal, AFCT, OHS&W & EB requirements and guidelines are achieved.
• In consultation with the HOD Sound, monitor operational costs in the Sound department ensuring they are within budget guidelines.
• Assist the HOD Sound to manage, mentor and develop staff and to identify avenues for continuous skill development striving towards high levels of customer service.
• Prepare, modify, apply and interpret technical paperwork without supervision or direction.
• Act as liaison with internal and external customer.
• Provide cost effective technical advice and design solutions. Advise and implement all technical products for internal and external customers.

Competencies and Skills

• Successfully completed or obtained RPL status for tertiary qualifications in management or technical theatre
• Successfully completed (or working towards completing) relevant Occupational Health & Safety courses relating to supervising staff.
• Successfully completed Front Line Management courses or other relevant qualification
• Possess effective reading, writing and listening skills to ensure instructions and standards are understood and implemented.
• Ability to work within a team environment and to work cooperatively with other staff, supervisors/managers and touring organisations
• Possess an intimate understanding of the entertainment industry, its terminology, traditions and protocol.

Benefits and Culture

Adelaide Festival Centre employs over 350 people in Lighting, Sound, Staging, Wardrobe, Production Management, Patron Services, Hospitality, Merchandise, Marketing, Programming, Education, Sponsorship, Philanthropy and Corporate Services.

Joining our team means sharing our ambition to be the arts and entertainment heart of the festival state, to entertain, engage, educate and inspire, and to be a national and international cultural leader and collaborator.

At Adelaide Festival Centre, we value our employees and offer a range of benefits which include:

• Access to $15 staff tickets to performances in all our venues
• Access to 10% staff discount in all our food and beverage outlets
• Taking advantage of our voluntary, flexible working arrangements
• Having a free annual flu vaccination
• Accessing our free Employee Assistance Program
• Working in a breast feeding friendly workplace
• Working in an approved Child Safe Environment

Adelaide Festival Centre is located on Kaurna Yarta. We respect First Nations people around Australia and acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide Plains. We honour their spiritual relationship with their country, and we do so in the spirit of reconciliation. Adelaide Festival Centre has an ambitious Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan in place approved by Reconciliation Australia and is committed to being an inclusive, supportive workplace and an employer of choice for First Nations people.

The public sector is diverse and desires to increase in diversity and to create opportunities for more South Australians. Adelaide Festival Centre is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.

If you believe this job is suited to you, don’t miss this opportunity to apply

Applications

All applications will be treated in strict confidence and must include a cover letter stating your potential contribution to this role, the relevant skills and experience you can offer Adelaide Festival Centre, together with a current resume identifying relevant career, personal and educational achievements.

For more information about Adelaide Festival Centre and a copy of the position description, please visit the ‘employment page’ on our website: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au. Enquires can be directed to Jane Rossetto, Head of Department – Sound via email at [email protected].

 Please submit all applications via SEEK by 4:00pm Friday 30 January 2026.