Producer

Hayes Theatre Co is looking for an experienced, passionate, and dynamic producer.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Hayes Theatre Co Producer

Employment Basis:    Full Time (2-year contract with possibility of extension)

Reports to:                 Hayes Executive Director and Co-Artistic Directors

Direct Reports:           NA

Remuneration:            $75-85,000 pa + super

Hayes Theatre Co develops and produces some of the most exciting musical theatre in Australia. Over 12 thrilling seasons, the company has developed a reputation for highly entertaining, exceptional quality musicals, where new Australian writing rubs shoulders with bold new productions of classic and contemporary international shows.

Hayes currently produces 3-4 musicals a year, a Festival of New Work, a cabaret season, and other standalone events. Over the next two years we’re looking forward to partnering with other arts organisations to deliver major external productions.

We’re looking for an experienced and enthusiastic producer keen to work with Australia’s brightest talent, and to help Hayes continue to excel, both at our iconic theatre in Potts Point, and as we venture further afield.

Set your career on the right trajectory and make your mark by joining one of the fastest growing and most exciting performing arts companies in Australia. You’ll work with a receptive team, open to new ideas and willing to support innovation, passion and ambition.

THE ROLE

Working closely with the Artistic Directors and Executive Director, the Producer delivers our program of Hayes-produced work, co-productions, developments, events and touring/transfer activity as required. The Producer ensures projects are delivered with integrity, on time and within budget, and is a key point of contact for artists, creative teams and partners across the life of a project.

This role requires a strong understanding of the creative process, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders in a dynamic live performance environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Producing, Planning & Delivery 

• Deliver allocated Hayes Theatre Co mainstage musicals and creative projects, including workshops and other creative development activities, from planning through to presentation (and touring/transfer where applicable).
• Work with the Artistic Directors to support programming delivery, production planning and the realisation of artistic vision.
• Liaise with the Executive Director – who functions as Executive Producer on Hayes productions – across pre-production, rehearsals, tech and in-season.
• Establish and maintain project schedules and key documentation, including production calendars, contact lists, run sheets, tour books (where relevant), and project trackers.
• Lead regular project check-ins and ensure key internal stakeholders are kept informed of progress, risks and deadlines (including Production/Technical, Marketing, Development and Venue).
• Liaise with external production managers (employed on Hayes productions) and the Hayes Venue and Technical Manager.
• Attend rehearsals, production meetings, technical rehearsals, previews and performances as required, including outside standard hours during key periods.
• Support independent producers and visiting artists if required, ensuring clear communication, appropriate documentation, and smooth integration with Hayes systems and timelines.

Budgeting, Financial Tracking & Reporting 

• Draft project and production budgets, presentation quotes and costings for approval, and ensure accurate tracking throughout delivery.
• Monitor income and expenditure against budgets; identify risks and variances early and work with Executive Director to implement solutions.
• Support financial reporting, reconciliations and end-of-project evaluations, including contributing to reporting and acquittals where required.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies while maintaining artistic and production standards.
• Manage payroll for Hayes, entering timesheets into Xero and processing pay runs for artistic and administrative staff.

Contracts, Rights & Administration 

• In consultation with the Executive Director and Artistic Directors, negotiate and draft contracts for artists, creatives, suppliers and partners for approval/sign-off.
• Coordinate casting and engagement processes where required, including audition scheduling, offers and contracting.
• Ensure appropriate rights, royalties and permissions are secured and paid, including liaising with rights holders, licensors and relevant organisations (e.g. APRA/copyright stakeholders) as required.
• Ensure production documentation is complete, current and accessible, including budgets, schedules, production specs, marketing assets lists, and agreed deliverables.

Logistics, Stakeholders & Partnerships 

• Coordinate logistics for productions and events, including rehearsal planning, venues, travel and accommodation (as required), and other operational needs.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with artists, agents, co-producers, presenters, venues, suppliers, funders and industry colleagues.
• Support the identification and development of new opportunities for Hayes, including partnerships, co-productions, touring/transfer possibilities and funded activity.
• Represent Hayes professionally at industry events, supporting the company’s relationships and profile.

Marketing & Communications Support 

• Work closely with Marketing to ensure productions and events are promoted effectively and that key deadlines are met.
• Contribute to production marketing materials where required (e.g. providing copy inputs, key creatives/cast information, artist approval of show imagery, credits, and program content).
• Working with Marketing and the company to schedule the capture of rehearsal room content, production photos and archival.
• Support the maintenance of accurate production information for internal and external stakeholders.
• Liaise with Stage Management and individual artists in relation to publicity opportunities.

Safe Practice & Ways of Working 

• Actively support the safety and wellbeing of artists and staff, working closely with Production/Technical to ensure safe systems of work.
• Support individual artists during their time at Hayes, help create a positive and safe space where artists can do their best work.
• Ensure artists are aware of the support available to them, avenues for feedback and complaints, and their protections and responsibilities under Fair Work Australia, and Hayes’ WHS policies and Code of Conduct.
• Work with the Executive Director to resolve conflict in a timely, empathetic and constructive manner.
• Contribute to the improvement of producing systems, templates and processes to strengthen delivery across the season.
• Work flexibly across the company as required, supporting a small team environment and contributing to a positive workplace culture.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• A passion for the performing arts and the development and presentation of new Australian stories.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience producing complex professional performing arts projects (musical theatre, theatre, and cabaret experience highly regarded).
• Proven ability to manage projects with multiple deadlines, budgets and stakeholders, and to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong financial skills, including drafting, managing and reconciling budgets.
• Familiarity with the LPA Award (or PCA), and an understanding of performer wages, allowances, and workplace conditions.
• Experience with contracting, scheduling and production administration, with high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and strong interpersonal and negotiation capability.
• An understanding of the creative process and the ability to work effectively with artists and creative teams.
• High level organisational skills and the ability to create and maintain effective systems.
• Strong computer literacy (Microsoft Office/Google Workspace; confidence with spreadsheets and documentation).
• A willingness to work across all areas of the company, including significant evening and weekend work during production periods.

Desirable

• Experience working at multiple presenting venues.
• Experience producing musical theatre and an understanding of the genre, and both the subsidised and commercial MT sectors.
• Experience in touring/transfer logistics and presenter relationships.
• Mid-level experience with Xero and payroll.
• Experience working with rights holders/licensors, royalty arrangements and copyright/industry agreements.
• Grant writing and acquittal experience within an arts context.

Responsibilities

All Hayes staff must understand, embody and promote the company’s mission, its policies and ethical direction.

All staff must maintain a high level of professionalism in interactions (be these in person, via telephone or email) with stakeholders and company staff

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Ordinary Hours

The Producer will primarily work from the Hayes office at 32 Orwell Street in Potts Point and from the theatre at 19 Greenknowe Avenue in Elizabeth Bay. Flexible working arrangements are possible, including working from home one day a week following probation.

Ordinary full-time hours are 38 hours a week, with reasonable additional hours during busy periods. Some evening and weekend work will be required during production weeks.

Hayes Theatre Co is committed to ensuring that no employee is working beyond a reasonable capacity to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, and will review working hours as required.

Diversity and representation

Musical theatre is changing and so are the artists we work with, the projects we support and performers we see on stage. Hayes is committed to cultural inclusion and diversity being reflected throughout the organisation. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, those who are culturally and linguistically diverse, people of all abilities, and people from LGBTQIA+ communities.

Apply

Applications must include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing your suitability for the role and be accompanied by a short CV that includes the name and contact details of two professional referees. Referees will not be contacted until we’ve spoken to you first.

For a confidential discussion about the role please contact Executive Director Will Harvey: [email protected]

Apply to [email protected] no later than 5pm Monday 9 February. Interviews may be scheduled as candidates apply, and an appointment may be made prior to the closing date. Please apply at your earliest convenience.