Erth is a company fuelled by beautiful accidents; a team of creators, makers and performers pushing the limits of design, content and experience. Erth’s puppetry-based theatrical productions and innovative community projects have challenged and inspired audiences for more than twenty-five years, driven by a special interest in natural history, indigenous folklore and urban mythology. With a prime focus on environmental sustainability and conservation, and social justice, the company’s core motivation is the creation of emotionally impactful artistic work which, through connecting with audiences young and old, educates, inspires, motivates and empowers people to make an impact in the world through their own actions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE

The Producer will support the Company, primarily the Artistic Director and Executive Director, in all aspects of producing the company’s works including international license development and management, market development strategies locally and abroad, presentation negotiations, and financing, contracting and supporting the development of new creative work. The Producer will play a crucial role in supporting the Artistic Director in the development of new productions and creative projects whilst overseeing the sustainability of all commercial elements of the company’s operations in Australia and abroad.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage Erth’s existing international license arrangements
• Seek and foster new international opportunities for the company’s works, in particular Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo and Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium
• Manage relationships with a range of existing and potential presenters nationally and overseas
• Develop and implement strategies to grow the Company’s touring circuits and commissions as a means of ensuring the financial viability of the Company
• Oversee all presentation planning and negotiations including budget development/management, presentation contracts, artist contracts and project logistics
• Identify and secure funding support for project delivery as required
• Work collaboratively and flexibly within the company’s management team, to support problem solving across all aspects of project delivery, as required.
• Manage a small team from time to time to ensure the smooth delivery of all company seasons and projects

KEY CHALLENGES

• Erth works in a highly responsive manner; projects can change rapidly, issues may need urgent and lateral thinking in response to unforeseen complexities
• Erth has established a number of License arrangements with international producers, which require careful monitoring and management

ESSENTIAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years experience in a similar role
• High level negotiation skills with extensive experience in contract negotiations
• Exceptional budget development, monitoring and management skills with experience of commercial arts business models
• High level strategy development and implementation skills with demonstrated experience
• Extensive experience in identifying and securing funding from a range of sources
• Strong coordination and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, remaining responsive and adaptable
• Detail oriented
• Calm and good humoured under pressure
• Experience effectively managing small teams
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Skills in Excel, Word, Ragic/database design and general IT proficiency favourable

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Erth’s Marrickville-based studio and workshop has conceived, designed and constructed bespoke creations for cultural institutions and commercial clients in Australia and around the world, and the company tours internationally year-round with its stage shows Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium and Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo. Erth’s work has been translated for audiences in Japan, China, France, Holland and the Middle East.

Whilst the breeding of dinosaurs are a core element of Erth’s operations, the company is constantly exploring new creative territories and collaborations. Erth builds large and mid-scale puppets and kinetic installations for festivals, theatre makers and museums around the world, and collaborates with a range of partners to deliver long range creative and community engagement projects, and deliver specialist industry training opportunities.

In addition to touring around the world with stage shows Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo and Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium, the company’s ongoing push to explore boundaries and devise new work has seen major site specific immersive theatre experiences commissioned by the Barangaroo Delivery Authority for Vivid Sydney 2019 and 2018 with Winter Camp, and The Liminal Hour, Dino Park for Melbourne Zoo 2019, Terra De Lombrichi (Carriageworks 2018), the development of ARC with MFI Seed Funding - a collaborative, multi-year, cross-platform work in development exploring preciousness and conservation - and a move into the field of virtual reality.

A Position Description is attached.