General Technician - Reading Arts and Venues

Salary £28,142 to £33,699 Per year + 15% Unsociable Hours Allowance = £32,363 to £38,753 Per year

Contractual hours 37

Basis Full time

Region Permanent / Full-Time

Job category/type Arts, Culture

Date posted 05/01/2026

Job reference DEN1509

Job description

Are you passionate about live events and technical production? We’re looking for a skilled and enthusiastic General Technician to join our Reading Arts & Theatres team. You’ll help deliver a wide range of live performances, concerts, conferences, and community events across some of Reading’s most exciting venues — including The Hexagon, Town Hall, Concert Hall and South Street Arts Centre. 

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role:
To find out more about the various venues around Reading please visit: https://whatsonreading.com

As part of our technical team, you’ll support all aspects of event production – from get-ins and get-outs to lighting, sound, and stage operations. Every day is different, and you’ll play a key part in ensuring our events run safely, smoothly, and to the highest professional standard.

You’ll be responsible for setting up and operating lighting, sound, and AV equipment for a variety of shows and events. This will include interpreting and creating lighting plans, rigging and focusing lights, operating lighting desks, and setting up digital sound systems and microphones. You’ll also work with audiovisual equipment — building screens, connecting projectors and IT systems, and integrating them with sound setups to ensure each event looks and sounds its best.

In addition, you’ll maintain all technical equipment, keeping working areas tidy, safe, and secure. You’ll supervise and support casual technicians, assist visiting companies with their technical requirements, and ensure all Health & Safety procedures are followed. You’ll play a hands-on role in the smooth running of productions and be an essential part of Reading’s vibrant arts and events scene.

This role will require flexibility, including some evenings, weekends, and bank holiday working.

About you:
You’ll have practical experience in technical theatre or live event production, with a passion for creating great audience experiences. You’ll be confident working with both traditional and digital equipment, enjoy problem-solving, and thrive in a busy, hands-on environment.

You’ll bring:

• Experience with lighting, sound, and A/V systems (including intelligent lighting and live sound mixing).
• Good IT skills and the ability to interpret technical plans.
• A full, clean driving licence.
• A flexible approach – able to work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
• A commitment to safety, teamwork, and delivering excellent customer service.

Reading’s arts venues present an exciting mix of live music, theatre, comedy, family shows, and community events. We offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a real impact in Reading’s thriving cultural sector.

You’ll bring excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and build strong, positive relationships. Most importantly, you’ll have a genuine passion for supporting the personal development and wellbeing of every individual you work with.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Sarah Cox - Reading Arts and Venues Manager – sarah.cox@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 18th January 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed       
Interview setup: Interview will be taking place in person at The Hexagon