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. 

F/T HEAD CHEF

Salary up to £40k plus bonus, based on skills and experience

The position of Head Chef presents a unique opportunity to be a key driver in the development and growth of our wide-ranging hospitality offering, managing a large and diverse kitchen and team.  It requires dynamic leadership, creative influence and strong management skills.  

If you think this is you, we would love to hear from you.

With the support of senior management, you will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, securing consistency in food quality and growing strong relationships with national and local food suppliers.  You will successfully manage food production; maintaining food standards and quality across all areas of the venue’s food offer.

A proven working knowledge of freshly prepared English and Continental cookery, preferably in a large scale operation, as well as good kitchen management / team co-ordination skills and a positive approach to menu and hospitality development is essential.  Demonstrating previous experience of delivering good quality food service in a calm and efficient manner, you will have a working knowledge of menu costings, stock control, HACCP, KRB and possess an intermediate Food Hygiene certificate.

The ideal candidate will be trained to NVQ Level 2 or equivalent and have demonstrable experience of kitchen budgets, staff training and recruitment.
A desire to deliver an excellent customer experience is essential as well as a ‘can-do’ attitude and a positive, flexible approach to the job role, work colleagues, peers and partnerships.

Average 40 hours, 5 days per week, according to the demands of the business
Includes evening, weekend and Bank Holiday working

Job Description

Application Form

Email Your Application

Closing Date:  6th November 2017

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.  Michael has recently taken on the varied role of Building Support Manager across both Southend venues. 

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 and is now Conference and Events Assistant Manager running varied events at Southend including weddings, conferences and auditorium award ceremonies catering up to 600 people, Anna 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.’