Employment

To provoke stirring reactions through great theatre experiences that question and celebrate our humanity.

This company is

Māiatanga - Courageous

Manaakitanga - Welcoming

Whānaungatanga - Belonging

Kotahitanga - One Team

The Court Theatre has been creating and sharing live theatre with audiences from across Ōtautahi and Waitaha for more than 53 years. Each season typically features 15 – 20 productions including commissioned works, New Zealand and Australasian premieres, contemporary through to classic drama as well as comedies, improvised comedy and musicals and a recent addition, the Rainbow Theatre Weekend. This year more than 80,000 patrons are expected to attend a Court Theatre performance.

At the beginning of 2025 we will be moving into our permanent new home in the heart of the city. This brand-new, purpose-built facility will open up new possibilities for The Court Theatre both in the way it works and the way we engage with the communities of Ōtautahi Christchurch – it also creates an exciting opportunity for a Venue and Customer Manager to join our team. 

Reporting to the Executive Director and part of the Senior Leadership team this new role will be crucial in establishing effective practices for the organisation in our future home and will oversee the set up and smooth running of the venue management and facilities. 

This is a varied role where you will be responsible for the following: 

• Manage the operations, maintenance, security, facilities and compliance for the venue
• Oversee the F&B and Customer Experience team, developing effective workplans in conjunction with the team managers
• Oversee the organisation’s IT requirements (for venue and staff) ensuring they are fit for purpose, efficient and cost-effective.
• Overall responsibility for the annual calendar including venue requirements for Artistic, Production, Education and Learning, The Jesters and Partnerships and Sponsorship and external venue bookings
• Develop venue policies in line with our Health & Safety, Fire Risk, Licensing and contractual obligations. 
• Ensure Health and Safety policies and legislation are understood across the organisation, applied effectively and implemented. 
• Manage allocated budgets, understand budgetary constraints to maximise resources and minimise expenditure.

What you’ll bring to the role: 

• Previous experience in a similar role, ideally in a high volume events venue.
• A working knowledge of facilities management and compliance - with a focus on health and safety, compliance, maintenance, ticketing and F&B.
• Exceptional organisational and planning skills – proven ability to handle more than one project at once.
• Experience in developing & successfully implementing processes, policies processes and/or systems.
• Strong leadership skills with previous experience managing a team.
• Strong commercial acumen and financial understanding. 
• You’ll be calm under pressure, unflappable when things change and have the ability to ensure you and your team deliver. 

If being a pivotal part of our journey in our brand-new purpose-built building excites you and you have the experience and skills we are looking for we’d love to hear from you. 

Please apply online via Seek including your current CV. Applications close 4th December with interviews prior to the Christmas break.

For more information you can download the position description here, or for a confidential chat please call Viv on 021 22 33 870.

The Court Theatre is looking for casual bartenders and baristas to provide friendly, efficient service to patrons and guests attending shows and functions at The Court Theatre. Experience is preferred.

If you would like to apply for this exciting position, please send your CV and cover letter to Petra Laskova at petra.laskova@courttheatre.org.nz.

We would love to hear from experienced theatre practitioners and educators who are interested in running classes and/or workshops in our Education and Outreach Programme. Opportunities include both regular classes and short-term teaching with the Youth Companies.

To express your interest, please send a cover letter and C.V. to ben.limmer@courttheatre.org.nz, providing your training and experience and an indication of what you would like to teach. We are looking for skilled and motivated practitioners. Experience in education is valuable, but not essential. You must have a strong commitment to fostering the future talent of New Zealand theatre.

The Court Theatre is committed to strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion, and individuals who identify with under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Court Theatre seeks casual staff for occasional work at the theatre.

The Court is looking to increase its pool of contacts of:

• Metalworkers
• Mechanists
• Costume makers

If you have these skills, live in Christchurch and are interested in working with one of New Zealand’s leading arts organisations, please send your brief CV as well as any relevant qualifications/accreditations to production@courttheatre.org.nz

Please note that this is not a permanent/fixed hour role, but an opportunity to be added to The Court’s database of workers. People expressing interest may be contacted show by show/as needed; rates and hours by mutual agreement.

Whether you're a designer, artist, creator or maker, we want to hear from you!

To send your expression of interest to work at The Court, email production@courttheatre.org.nz with your name, contact information and portfolio and/or website link. 

We can't wait to hear from you!