Royal Opera House - Estates & Facilities Director

Estates & Facilities Director Candidate Information Pack

Estates & Facilities Director

Contents Page

About the Royal Opera House 4 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 19

Our Vision, Our Values 6

The Estate 7

The Role 8

Application Process 20

Job Description & Person Specification 10

Sustainability 18

About the Royal Opera House

Home to The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the Royal Opera House brings together world-class performers and trailblazing creative teams to share unforgettable performances with audiences near and far. Our theatres are in London’s Covent Garden, but our work is accessed and experienced across the UK and globally through tours, cinema seasons, free outdoor screenings, radio broadcasts, TV programmes and on Royal Opera House Stream. Over the course of the pandemic, we curated the #OurHouseToYourHouse programme made up of nine live-streamed concerts and 38 full-length streamed productions from our archives. Full-length content was viewed over 15 million times in 183 countries, and was paired with a host of cultural highlights in partnership with the BBC, Sky Arts, Marquee T and Netflix. In September, we returned for our first full Season since 2019, sharing a packed programme of world premieres, landmark new productions and returning favourites. Since then, we have expanded our audience through a flagship Young ROH scheme, returned to live cinema relays, and extended our national impact through an ambitious curriculum-linked programme for schools, specially designed to ignite creativity, broaden participation and diversify the future of opera and ballet. We realise our responsibility and obligation to reduce our impact on the environment, and are committed to net zero emissions by 2035 for Scopes 1 and 2, and to setting targets for our Scope 3 emissions by 2025.

We are one of the busiest theatres in the world, delivering over 400 performances and around 1,350 learning events each year, employing 1,000 permanent staff and generating a turnover of £142 million and attracting 1.5m attendances in Covent Garden and in cinemas, further extended via broadcasting, digital activity and collaboration with touring companies. We operate over three sites, our main Grade 1 listed Covent Garden theatre, our workshops in Purfleet and scenery warehouse at Aberdare. You can find out more by reading our latest annual report. To support our future plans we have decided to create a new Executive level role to provide leadership for all aspects of our built estates, to lead on a significant capital investment programme aimed at improving our infrastructure, back of house systems and stage technology; to lead & champion environmental sustainability across the organisation and crucially to develop our roadmap to carbon net-zero. We are seeking an individual with a proven track record of leading complex, multifaceted refurbishment programmes, across live, high ft fall, operational environments. The role would suit an individual that is motivated to lead a highly complex investment programme across one of London truly iconic landmark buildings.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the ROH and help us develop our estate and site facilities for generations to come.

Our Vision, Values and Priorities

We believe the art forms of opera and ballet can both entertain and offer deep emotional and intellectual fulfilment: they are a direct link to the combined experiences of past generations and a lens on the contemporary world. Engaging with opera and ballet has the potential to enhance the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Extraordinary, world-class performances are at the absolute heart of our vision and we especially prioritise investment in new work.

The Royal Opera House is dedicated to nurturing, creating and sharing astonishing, world- class opera, ballet and theatre craft. We are driven by an urge to deepen our impact – our impact on the continuing development

of opera and ballet as living, breathing art forms, and our impact on people in the UK and overseas.

The Estate

The Estates of the Royal Opera House comprises three buildings: the main site in Covent Garden includes a 2,000+ seated theatre which dates from 1858, and redeveloped stage and newly developed rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, workshops offices and ancillary spaces sating from a large-scale capital project completed in 1999, and a second theatre and refreshed front of house spaces delivered via the Open Project in 2018. The ROH’s Production Workshop and Costume Centre are located in Thurrock, Essex and a 14,000m2 sore in Aberdare, Wales.

Together the facilities enable the organisation to deliver a complex and busy production schedule and support the work of 1,000s staff, artists and creative people to stage opera and ballet to exacting standards.

The Role

The Estates & Facilities Director provides strategic leadership and effective management of the Facilities and Estates of the ROH with responsibility for the efficient and effective running of our buildings and their services. This new senior role has responsibility for providing the right environment and facilities to support the organisation’s people and artistic output taking into account safety, compliance, sustainability, cost-control and positive customer service. The post holder will play a central role in further developing our Estates Plan to upgrade core infrastructure whilst improving our building emissions and delivering improvements in comfort, usability, accessibility and flexibility. This ambitious plan will need to be implemented whilst the daily artistic schedule continues, and the Facilities & Estates Director will be required to plan and deliver a programme of work around a busy theatre and production house. This is a senior Executive team role with organisational responsibility for ensuring our commitment to environmental sustainability and crucially our to reaching net zero by 2035 (with an earlier target of 2030) for scope 1 and 2 emissions and to set targets on scope 3 emissions by 2025.

You will need to have a proven track record at a senior management level with a:

• Professionally qualified engineer/ building professional, or proven competence through practical experience.

• Demonstrable experience of managing and developing an estate (including Grade 1 listed assets) with the ability to drive innovation and identify opportunities alongside an understanding of their practical implementation within a demanding daily operation.

• Experience and enthusiasm for leading the sustainability agenda within Facilities and Estates and across the organisation.

• Proven track record of compliance with and understanding of relevant Health, Safety and Environmental legislation.

• Experience of running a multi-year capital project with interdependent programmes of work.

• Demonstrable experience in a leadership role in a large or multi-site organisation. with an ability to drive performance and innovation.

The Royal Opera House is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from those who are currently under represented in our workforce; in particular those who are ethnically diverse and/or disabled. As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Job Description

Title: Reports to: Direct Reports:

Estates & Facilities Director Director of Operations Head of Facilities; Environmental Sustainability Manager; Special Projects Programme Manager; Renewal Programme Manager (Technical);

Background

The Royal Opera House has committed to reaching net zero by 2035 (with an earlier target of 2030) for scope 1 and 2 emissions and to set targets on scope 3 emissions by 2025.

Main purpose of the job

The purpose of this new role is to ensure that ROH, at its 3 sites, has the buildings and estate infrastructure it needs to meet its current and future needs. We are about to embark on a period of significant capital investment with a programme of works aimed at improving our building and stage infrastructure. These investments are a first step to modernising our back of house estate and investing in sustainability. We intend to see a material change in the quality of the built environment for our performances, artists and staff. Alongside this programme of capital investment, we need to significantly improve our approach to planned preventative maintenance. This will require new management systems, investment in the renewal and replacement of our core engineering systems and overseeing a complex programme of works whilst continuing to deliver our exacting schedule of rehearsals and performances. To meet these challenges, we have decided to create a new senior role on the Executive team to provide leadership for all aspects of our built estates, lead on environmental sustainability and crucially develop our roadmap to carbon net-zero. As a member of the Executive team the job holder is expected to contribute to the strategic development and sound management of the organisation in collaboration with other Executive team members.

Estate and Facilities Management

• To develop and deliver a programme of major and minor capital projects working closely and collaboratively with the Executive team, colleagues and other key stakeholders providing the key strategic interface for Estates, FM and Capital programmes.

• To lead on the development of overall estates strategies across all three sites.

• To review and further develop the delivery of cost effective and high-quality facilities management services including planned, preventative and reactive maintenance via the management and motivation of our Hard FM provider. This includes developing an effective forward (5 year) maintenance plan.

• To deliver robust management of the programme of projects across all three sites meeting, stakeholder, financial, operational and maintenance requirements.

• Act as principle advisor on all facilities and estates matters to the Executive team and provide professional advice and guidance on Estates matters.

• To coordinate and maintain external stakeholder relations with respect to our Grade 1 listed building status.

• To lead, develop and effectively resource a team of directly employed staff, external PMs and contractor staff with responsibilities crossing the delivery of a programme of projects and facilities management to ensure that all risks are effectively managed. • Working collaboratively with our Head of Procurement, lead on the procurement for delivery of all estates and facilities contracts (projects, maintenance) which complies with applicable legislation and ROH procedures. • Lead the sustainability agenda across the organisation. Annually review set targets, monitor performance and ensure conformity to our environmental policy and commitments. Ensure accurate and timely reporting of data including to key funders. • To be responsible and accountable for a total departmental, programme and project annual expenditure. Ensure delivery of the highest standards of work and the best value for money. • To be responsible for the leadership of the team, the relationship with our Hard FM contractor and all 3rd party professional service providers and contractors for capital projects.

• Foster a positive, supportive and inclusive approach to all Estates & Facilities matters ensuring a responsive environment for staff, artists and freelancers and contractors.

Deliverables

• Effective service provision across all service areas to meet client needs and other objectives.

• Effective management of key stakeholder relationships.

• Effective management of direct reports and reporting teams, with strong morale.

• Compliance with Health and Safety best practice and ROH procedures.

Continuous Improvement

• Keep in touch with best practice, trends and new technologies relevant to the role.

• Manage own learning and continuous professional development.

• Uphold ROH Values and Behaviours across all aspects of the role and support our goals for diversity and inclusion.

• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

• Work to instil and uphold the ROH Values and Behaviours across the team and to support our goals for diversity and inclusion.

Executive Team

• Deliver to any individual objectives set, as a member of the Executive team; collaborate across teams, especially where there are key dependencies to seek greater integration of strategic objectives and integrated systems/data. • Represent the objectives, activities and achievements for designated areas of responsibility at Executive and senior level as required; liaise and advise at senior levels to communicate and influence objectives and expectations.

• Manage, coach and develop all direct reports to ensure effective performance management, skill development and teamwork.

• Make a significant contribution to any Executive team objectives and participate fully in Executive team activities.

• Demonstrate leadership in all activities as an Executive team member and ambassador for the ROH.

Additional Key skill requirements

• Work environment: this role leads a highly-skilled and multi- disciplinary set of departments with many different working patterns and environments, many interlocking needs, such as clear planning and regular points of intense pressure, given the need to meet hard deadlines. • Communication: it is key that the successful candidate enjoy communicating with a wide variety of HODs and senior colleagues, with differing communication styles and has an appetite for clear communication of decision and persuasive communication toward change. • Teamwork and collaborative working: given the demands on the technical, production and costume teams and the speed and flexibility with which we often need to work, enjoying and encouraging teamwork and a culture of collaborative responsibility is essential. • Initiative, problem solving and decision making: the person in this role will need to demonstrate initiative and offer swift and confident solutions. • Note: This Job Description reflects the current situation. It does not preclude change or development that might be required in the future.

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge/Skills and Experience

• Professionally qualified engineer/ building professional, or proven competence through practical experience.

• Have demonstrable experience of managing and developing an estate (including Grade 1 listed assets) with the ability to drive innovation and identify opportunities alongside an understanding of their practical implementation within a demanding daily operation.

• Experience and enthusiasm for leading the sustainability agenda within Facilities and Estates and across the organisation,

• Proven track record of compliance with and understanding of relevant Health, Safety and Environmental legislation.

• Experience of running a multi-year capital project with interdependent programmes of work.

• Numerate with strong budgetary understanding and control.

• A collaborative, strategic and influential approach with staff, artists, Trustees, contractors and statutory bodies.

• Demonstrable experience in a leadership role in a large or multi-site organisation. With an ability to drive performance and innovation.

• Excellent active listening, communication, negotiation and advocacy skills; confidence in producing reports and papers for a range of stakeholders.

• Empathy for the demands of an estate which is both a workplace for staff and artists and a public building.

• Knowledge and experience of estate operations: health and safety, compliance, etc.

• Ability to manage a wide portfolio of concurrent tasks and projects.

• Demonstrable experience of translating strategic objectives into estate operations and development.

• An interest in and experience of working with architects and designers of the highest quality. People management skills to ensure direct reports and team members have the requisite skills and knowledge and are competent and supported through training and coaching to achieve consistently high standards of performance. 16

Job Requirements

• Compliance with discrimination legislation and Equal Opportunities principles.

• Flexibility to work varied hours if required to meet service needs and to travel and work at other locations on ROH business on occasion.

Employee Benefits

Here are some additional employment benefits:

• Membership of the ROH Pension scheme.

• Interest free season ticket loan once you have passed your probation and onsite spaces for secure cycle storage, subject to availability.

• Subsidised canteen and coffee bar.

• Occasional staff offers on performance tickets and access to general rehearsals.

• Discounts on publications, recordings and giftware at the ROH Shop.

• Flexible working.

• Family Friendly policies.

• Childcare vouchers scheme.

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme providing 24 hour advice and counselling services.

• Access to the ROH Benevolent Fund, providing confidential support and assistance.

• Special arrangements for Healthcare including a health cash plan for employees and healthcare support for performers.

• Discounts on alternative and physical therapies provided in-house.

• Discounted staff ballet, pilates and yoga classes.

• Concessions at a wide range of local Covent Garden shops, restaurants and gyms.

Sustainability

Our commitment

We commit to net zero emissions by 2035, aiming for an earlier 2030 target where possible. To get there we will sustainably purchase electricity and permanently change how we heat our buildings, in line with emission Scopes 1 and 2*. We will also work with our suppliers to help them reduce their emissions and set Scope 3 emission targets by 2025. Activity will be closely monitored and reported each year to ensure targets are on track. We recognise that everything we do has an impact on the environment – at our home in Covent Garden and at our sites in Thurrock in Essex and Abedare in Wales. The activities of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and our nationwide education programmes all have an impact on the environment. Our audiences, staff and artists have an effect too. We are making changes now to reduce this impact, making a commitment to net zero and being clear on our stages to get there. The Royal Opera House aims to be a catalyst for positive change as we make our operations more sustainable, efficient and economical.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our commitment

At the ROH we believe that diversity is about making sure we are able to attract and develop talented people who bring more, precisely because of the breadth of their different backgrounds, experiences, cultures and outlooks. It is important to recognise that our history is flawed and our record on diversity has been inconsistent. We are committed to delivering our equality, diversity and inclusion goals and we acknowledge that we must learn as we go. Making a difference requires systemic change and we outline here the steps that we will take over the next eighteen months towards achieving our long-term diversity goals.

Application process

For a confidential and informal discussion, please contact The Royal Opera’s House appointed recruitment partner Ben Duffill or Michael Hewlett at The Management Recruitment Group (MRG).

Michael Hewlett T: 020 3962 9900 | M: 07976 125 010 E: michael.hewlett@mrgpeople.co.uk Ben Duffill T: 020 3962 9900 | M: 07976 125 010 E: ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk

Closing date is Sunday 24th April 2022.

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