Senior AV Technician

Key Accountabilities:

Lead, rota and line-manage a team of 3 AV technicians, as well as any extra freelancers recruited on occasion, ensuring they receive the training and support needed.
Provide technical support and maintenance of the AV presentation equipment and all other department equipment throughout Gallery’s public facing spaces, including galleries, entrance foyers, the Lecture Theatre and learning facilities, keeping records up to date and accurate.
Ensure that all AV equipment in galleries and other public areas is well maintained, regularly updated and meets the expectations of the Gallery and its visitors.
Provide an effective service to support the preparation and delivery of the Gallery’s public programme events and private hire events.
Manage the technical delivery of creative projects, including organising recording and filming sessions, and arranging in-house edits.
Manage assigned AV projects including liaison with internal and external clients and manage the technical delivery, ensuring the IT and Digital teams are kept up to date on development.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the current AV equipment, producing system specifications and take a proactive approach in helping to shape the job and assisting in the upgrading and development of existing and new exhibition and programme AV.
Supporting AV elements of temporary exhibitions.
Promoting sustainable working practices and reducing the environmental impact of the Gallery’s operations in line with its Sustainability Statement.
Advise on the development of new AV installations and carry out full acceptance testing before handover.
Work occasional unsociable hours and weekends for installations and events as required.

Key Experience, Skills and Criteria:

Essential

You will hold knowledge of and experience in working with a wide range of AV and related systems, particularly in a theatre and/or gallery environment.
You will have a good level of ICT literacy and experience working with Windows and Mac operating systems.
As you will be working with so many people in different areas of the organisation, you’ll be able to translate technical issues to non-technical audiences.
Experience specifying audio-visual and electro-mechanical equipment for effective and appropriate use, and its safe and correct maintenance and installation, particularly including digital projectors and screens.
Awareness of Health and safety in the workplace.
Experience of microphone and mixing desk setup for live events, operation and troubleshooting
Ability to work on equipment variously located: at heights requiring the use of ladders; in cramped locations; accessed through small and restricted ingress and egresses
Experience managing teams and working knowledge of UK Health and Safety laws and processes

Desirable

Previous experience or confident application of audio or video software.
Experience of Bright Sign, Bright Author Software
Background or working knowledge of electronics.
Working knowledge of IP based networking infrastructure and protocols
Previous experience working in a theatre/live events environment.
IOSH Managing Safely qualification. NPG can provide training if required.

Other

A strong commitment to equality and diversity with the ability to balance differing needs.
Keen interest in the mission and purpose of the National Portrait Gallery and building its relevance for contemporary audiences, and in the long-term success and development of the Gallery.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues within the Digital team and across the Gallery.
Demonstrate passion and approaches all work in an enthusiastic way.
You will focus at all times on delivering excellent customer service, ensure value for money at all times while being professional and courteous.
Work proactively to find improve systems and processes.
The post is subject to a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including:

Generous pension scheme
27 days annual leave allowance, in addition to bank holidays
Interest free season ticket and bicycle loans
Rental deposit scheme
Employee assistance programme
Free entry to many UK museums, galleries and exhibitions
Staff discounts on purchases in online shop
Professional & personal development opportunities
Closing date for returned applications is 9:00am on Friday the 16th of January, 2026.

First round interviews will take place on the 28th & 29th of January, 2026, via Microsoft Teams.

Museum Website: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=2833&ProjectId=143762&DepartmentId=18956&MediaId=5