Head of Lighting

About the role

The Head of Lighting will lead the lighting department at The Lir Academy, overseeing the artistic and technical development of lighting for all academy productions. This senior position combines hands‑on supervision of student projects with mentorship of undergraduate and MFA candidates.

Key responsibilities

• Design, program and operate lighting for stage productions, ensuring artistic vision and safety standards.
• Provide one‑on‑one tutoring and group workshops for undergraduate and MFA students on lighting theory, design software and practical rigging.
• Supervise and mentor student assistants and junior tutors throughout the production cycle.
• Collaborate with directors, set designers and other department heads to integrate lighting concepts into overall production design.
• Maintain and develop the academy’s lighting inventory, including equipment scheduling and technical documentation.

Required profile

• Proven experience in theatrical lighting design and direction.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Strong communication skills and capacity to work within interdisciplinary creative teams.
• Commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment.

Required skills

• Hands‑on expertise with lighting consoles and control systems.
• Knowledge of lighting design software (e.g., Vectorworks, Lightwright).
• Understanding of electrical safety and rigging procedures.

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape the next generation of lighting professionals.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art lighting equipment and production facilities.
• Collaborative artistic environment within a leading Irish academy.