Hoofd Decoratelier

Role description

Hoofd Decoratelier

Over ons

Contact

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Nationale Opera & Ballet is looking for a:

Head of Production Workshop

38 hours per week (full-time)

About us

Dutch National Opera & Ballet is one of the Netherlands' leading cultural organisations, located in the heart of Amsterdam. With more than 700 colleagues representing over 30 nationalities, we work together every day to enrich the lives of as many people as possible through the wonder, beauty and meaning of opera and ballet. Every detail matters, which is why craftsmanship is at the heart of everything we do. Would you like to contribute your experience and enthusiasm to our organisation?

Our Production Workshop (Decoratelier) is a unique production facility located in Amsterdam Southeast, where a close-knit team of approximately 40 skilled professionals develops, builds, finishes and stores scenery for our opera and ballet productions. Across a wide range of disciplines, including design, technical drafting, metalwork, carpentry, scenic art, sculptural fabrication, logistics and scenery storage management, technical expertise meets artistic ambition.

The workshop maintains a close connection with our theatre at Waterlooplein. Scenery is not only built here, but also prepared for transport, installation, rehearsals and performances. This requires close collaboration between the workshop, production department, stage operations and artistic teams.

About the position

As Head of the Production Workshop, you will be responsible for the leadership, development and day‑to‑day management of the workshop. You will lead a team of approximately 40 employees and oversee the translation of scenic designs into high‑quality, technically feasible stage sets. You ensure that productions are delivered within the agreed artistic, technical, financial, safety and scheduling frameworks. You report directly to the Director of Technical Operations & Workshops.

The Production Workshop is the only department located outside the theatre building. As such, you will work closely with our Facilities & Building Management department and external suppliers regarding the maintenance and operation of the workshop building and its technical installations.

You will manage a multidisciplinary team of production planners, technical draftspeople and skilled specialists in construction, carpentry, scenic finishing and logistics. You carry overall responsibility for quality, planning and production within the workshop. You also ensure a safe working environment and compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental regulations.

Working closely with artistic teams, production managers and other technical departments, you ensure that design concepts are translated smoothly into practical and high‑quality scenic solutions.

An important part of the role is the continued development of the workshop. You will lead the professionalisation of processes, planning, collaboration and knowledge sharing across the team. You will also drive further standardisation, improve efficiency and help future‑proof the workshop's organisation and operations. Building strong connections and effective collaboration with other workshop departments and the theatre is an essential part of the role.

In addition, you will play a key role in making scenery production more sustainable. You will further develop circular production methods, standardisation and smart, efficient manufacturing processes. You will translate these principles into practical working methods and ensure they become embedded in the workshop's daily operations.

During your first year, the primary focus will be on strengthening collaboration, optimising workflows and production planning, and further embedding sustainable and safe working practices throughout the workshop.

About you

• You are an experienced and collaborative manager with a background in scenery construction, technical production or a comparable environment within the performing arts, exhibition construction or live events. You have a thorough understanding of production processes and appreciate the artistic context in which they take place. Knowledge of construction or structural engineering is considered a valuable asset.
• You understand what high‑quality craftsmanship requires and know how to further develop a technically complex, craft‑based production environment. You provide clear direction to a team of specialists, create stability and clarity, and actively encourage collaboration, ownership and professional development, including the training of future generations of craftspeople.
• You feel at home at the intersection of design, workshop operations and production. You are able to balance artistic ambitions, technical feasibility and organisational priorities while maintaining an overview of the bigger picture.
• You have experience managing teams and production processes. You are well organised, maintain oversight and know how to prioritise effectively, even when schedules change or deadlines become demanding. You actively contribute to the future of scenery production by translating sustainability, reuse, circular production principles and smart design into practical workshop solutions.
• You communicate clearly, are approachable in your leadership style and work comfortably with colleagues at all levels of the organisation. You are a strong discussion partner for both artistic and technical colleagues and contribute to the continued development of the Scenery Workshop.

What we offer

• An initial one‑year contract with the intention of extending it.
• A gross monthly salary between €4,996 and €6,993, depending on your knowledge and experience, based on a full‑time employment contract (38 hours per week).
• 30 days of annual leave plus 5 additional working time reduction (ADV) days (based on full‑time employment).
• 8% holiday allowance and an excellent pension scheme.
• An attractive ticket scheme for our opera and ballet performances.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal and professional development through education and training programmes.
• A contribution towards a gym membership.
• Travel expense reimbursement, including a bicycle allowance for commuting distances under 8 km.
• A bicycle purchase scheme with tax benefits.
• A unique workplace in Amsterdam Southeast, surrounded by creativity, craftsmanship and world‑class performing arts.

Apply

Are you excited about this opportunity? We'd love to receive your CV and motivation letter no later than 10 August 2026 via the Apply button. As we process applications through our HR recruitment system, we kindly ask you not to apply by email.

We aim to respond to all applications within two weeks after the closing date. First‑round interviews are scheduled for week 36. Our preferred start date is 1 December 2026, although the exact starting date can be agreed upon in consultation.

Dutch National Opera & Ballet values diversity and inclusion and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds.

Contact

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Pieter Huijgen, Director of Technical Operations & Workshops, at .

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Bo Windeij, HR, at .

Recruitment agencies: Thank you for your interest, but we prefer to recruit for this position ourselves.