Why work with us?

A career with Southend Theatres is never dull, often challenging but at the same time fun and rewarding.

• Our business model is unique and our specialisms are broad.  You will learn and grow with us. 
• Our teams are super people to work with – we know because they regularly tell us!
• We expect staff to express their views, to listen to ours and to be part of decision-making processes.
• We’re proactively committed to diversity and equal opportunity for all.
• We’re very supportive of our staff achieving a happy work-life balance.
• Our vision is quite simply to be the UK’s premier provider of live entertainment and hospitality and we know that our people are our most important asset.

Students

Working with the Southend Theatres is popular with students as we offer a range of casual opportunities within hospitality, technical and marketing that can work around your studies.

Types of Roles

Hospitality

Providing an innovative dining, drinking and conference facilities with theatrical flair requires a range of talented chefs and friendly servers over a range of levels and employment types.  

Box Office

The approachable Box Office team provide excellent customer service while proactively selling tickets in this customer-facing role offering fun and flexibility.

 

Technical

Often the hidden function of a theatre, these heroes make the show happen from assisting with the ‘get-in’ to managing the sound and lighting. 

 

Marketing

The award-winning marketing and promotions teams ensure our customers know about the broad-range of incredible events within the venues' many spaces.

 

Administration and Management

Off the stage, a gifted group of administrators, finance and management teams ensure the venues run smoothly. 

Front of House Ushers

£7.70- £8.21 per hour

We stage everything from Cinderella to Paul Weller, so if you are looking for casual work that is flexible, interesting and diverse then you have just found it!

We require friendly, confident people to join our Front of House team and help us look after over 430,000 customers a year.

You should be articulate with good communication skills and a strong desire to offer excellent customer service.

If you enjoy working in a lively environment and think that you have the right qualities to join our team please contact us.  Hours are flexible and on an as and when required basis. 

We host shows all week but especially need our team to be willing to work weekend, evenings, during the Christmas holidays and Bank Holidays as required.
 

Job Description

Application Form

Email Your Application

Closing Date:                                      5th March 2020
Interviews:                                         11th March 2020
Induction:                                           20th March 2020

Kitchen Assistant

£7.70 - £8.21 per hour

HQ Hospitality caters for a wide range of high quality small to large scale functions and events, as well as providing a coffee shop, bar and restaurant service to our theatre patrons at the Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre. 

We require a flexible and responsible person to assist the kitchen team in basic food preparation, stock control, washing up and cleaning as instructed. 
Previous professional food preparation experience is essential, preferably in a mid to large scale operation using fresh and perishable ingredients.  You will possess a flexible, honest and reliable attitude and must be able to cope in a calm and efficient manner within a pressurised working environment.  You will also demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team, using your own initiative when required.

Hours are offered on a casual basis as and when required and will include evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.

Job Description

Application Form

Email your Application

Closing date: 19th February 2020

Porter - Part time

£10,673 pa (£8.21 per hour)
25 hours per week

An opportunity has arisen for a friendly and enthusiastic person to join our team at the Cliffs Pavilion, helping us look after over 430,000 customers a year.  With a wide programme of entertainment, coffee shop, bars, restaurant and function rooms, there will be more than enough to keep you busy.

As part of the Portering Team and under the supervision of the Front of House Manager, you will assist in many areas of the business.  This will include but not be limited to event set ups, unlocking and locking of the building, receiving deliveries, cleaning (as a support to the main cleaning team) and displaying of marketing material.

The Cliffs Pavilion is a busy operational theatre.  To support the high level of activity, there will be a requirement to work a variety of hours including mornings and evenings.

If you would like to join the Cliffs Pavilion team, we would be delighted to hear from you.
 

Job Description

Application Form

Email Your Application

Closing date: 21st February 2020
Interview date: 27th February 2020

Bar Staff

£7.70 - £8.21 per hour

Are you a people person? 
Do you know what great service is all about? 
Do you want to really make a difference?

We are looking for someone who works fast, who keeps positive and is always smiling. If you like being busy, paying attention to detail and working in an upbeat and friendly atmosphere, then we are waiting to hear from you.

Previous experience in a similar position is of benefit however full training will be given to the right candidate. The ideal applicant will be well-presented and passionate about selling great coffee and food.

Hours are offered on a casual basis and will include evening, weekend and Bank Holiday working.  As the post holder will be required to serve alcohol applicants must be over 18 years of age.

If you are interested in a career in hospitality, we’d like to talk to you!

Job Description

Application Form

Email your application

Do You Love Theatre and the Arts

Have you ever considered volunteering?

There are lots of reasons why people volunteer. It may be that you want to make use of your skills (or learn new ones). Perhaps you would like to broaden your work experience, give something back to your community...or perhaps you simply want to meet people and make new friends. Whatever the reasons, volunteering with the Palace Theatre is a really rewarding experience!

As a Palace Theatre Volunteer Usher you’ll be the face of the theatre, meeting and greeting our guests and ensuring that they have a fantastic experience when they visit us. We’ll train, guide and support you so that you can volunteer for us with knowledge and confidence. We know that everyone has commitments in their lives, so we’re flexible about when you volunteer. 

Volunteering with the Palace Theatre is an opportunity to taste, first hand, life in a theatre environment. If you have time to spare and would like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply via email

Meet the team

We’re committed to training and developing our staff, preparing them for their next step in whichever direction that might be. Here’s the proof.

Michael Rowley 

Michael started working for Southend Theatres in 2007 as a casual member of the front of house team and for the next 4 years went on to work in every department.  He then went on to enjoy four years as a technician at the Palace Theatre and Dixon Studio - which he managed before taking on the varied role of Building Support Manager across both Southend venues. He became the Buildings Manager in 2018.

Michael says ‘The opportunity I have had to expand my knowledge has been exceptional, I love a challenge and with no two days ever being the same I never get a chance to get bored!’

 

Anna Fordham

Anna started working at the Cliffs Pavilion in 2003 under the company of Sodexho before HQ Hospitality took over the theatre in 2007 working as a casual member of staff in the conference and events and the Pavilion Restaurant departments.  Anna worked her way up as supervisor, team leader, Conference and Events Assistant Manager and is now the Restaurant Manager. She has achieved an NVQ in Food & Drink and is near completion of Wedding Planner and Event Management level 3 with the Open Study College.

Anna says ‘I feel privileged to be working at the Cliffs Pavilion now as a Manager, Over the past years, the journey has been eventful and entertaining with a massive learning curve, I have made many friends along the way and I always feel there is support from these and also HQH. No day is ever the same whether it's helping to arrange a couples' dream wedding or the sound of laughter at an Only Fools And 3 Courses dinner as they get up to mischief. I could not ask for a better job and I hope that I can continue to progress through the company.’