Production Manager
Festivals

Organisation:
We Group (The Fair, We Are Placemaking and We Are OPS)

Location:
Hoxton, London

Hours:
Full-time, 37.5 hrs per week

Salary:
£34,000 to £38,000

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to: Senior Production Manager

We’re looking for a Production Manager – Festivals to join our in-house production team and take ownership of the planning and delivery of projects across our growing festival portfolio.

This is a hands-on role for someone with experience delivering outdoor festivals and live events who is ready to manage their own productions, client relationships, budgets and suppliers from early planning through to build, live event delivery and de-rig.

Working closely with the Director of Festivals and Place, Senior Production Manager and wider production and operations teams, you will be responsible for delivering safe, well-planned and commercially successful events while maintaining the high operational standards that The Fair is known for.

The role offers the opportunity to develop across increasingly complex projects, strengthen your technical and operational experience, and grow within The Fair’s production team.

The role is based in Hoxton, London, with a requirement to work away from home for extended periods during festival season. Due to the nature of the role and frequent in-person collaboration with the production team and suppliers, applicants must be based in London or within a commutable distance of our Hoxton office.

THIS ROLE WOULD SUIT SOMEONE WHO:

  • Has experience producing and delivering large-scale outdoor festivals and live events
  • Is confident taking ownership of projects, client relationships, budgets and supplier management
  • Enjoys hands-on event delivery and solving practical production challenges
  • Wants to continue developing their technical, operational and leadership experience
  • Thrives in a collaborative, creative and fast-paced festival environment

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the delivery of festivals and events

Act as Production Manager on assigned projects across The Fair’s festival portfolio, overseeing planning, site design, supplier coordination, budgets and on-site delivery from initial brief through to de-rig.

Manage clients and projects

Own day-to-day client relationships across your projects, providing regular updates, managing expectations, leading meetings and debriefs, and working with the senior team to develop quotes, creative ideas and site solutions.

Deliver strong production planning

Develop robust production plans, schedules, site layouts and infrastructure specifications, ensuring projects are practical, safe, efficient and deliverable within the agreed budget and programme.

Manage suppliers and budgets

Lead procurement and supplier liaison across your projects, negotiate costs and schedules, manage project budgets and support accurate financial tracking and reporting.

Work collaboratively across The Fair and WeGroup

Work closely with the Director of Festivals & Place, Senior Production Manager, Site Managers, Production Coordinators and the Operations Team (We Are OPS) to ensure production, safety and operational planning is joined up throughout the project lifecycle.

Client & Project Management

  • Project lead across assigned festivals and events
  • Manage client relationships, providing regular updates, managing expectations and leading project debriefs
  • Present creative, production and site design ideas in response to client briefs
  • Draft quotes for clients in collaboration with the senior team
  • Prepare for, attend and follow up on SAG meetings, including presentations and local authority liaison where required
  • Liaise with venue landowners and support the management of venue contracts

Financial Management

  • Create and maintain client production budgets, typically between £500k and £2m
  • Manage invoices, credit notes and project cost tracking
  • Raise client invoices in line with agreed payment plans and support timely payment
  • Lead procurement and supplier negotiations across assigned projects
  • Confirm supplier appointments and contracts in line with internal approval processes
  • Track project hours and project management information via Harvest

Site & Technical Planning

  • Develop site designs and layouts with a strong understanding of relevant health and safety guidance and regulations
  • Oversee production and site infrastructure planning
  • Create accurate specifications for infrastructure including fencing, toilets, power, trackway, plant and water
  • Procure suppliers and coordinate the effective use of internal staff and freelancers
  • Manage technical production requirements across assigned projects
  • Develop wet weather, hot weather and other production contingency plans
  • Support noise management planning and compliance where required

Health, Safety & Compliance

  • Collaborate with the Safety and Operations teams to ensure a joined-up approach to event planning
  • Produce or assist with risk assessments and event safety management documentation
  • Contribute to Event Management Safety Plans and associated production appendices
  • Support licensing, local authority and SAG processes where required

Scheduling & Coordination

  • Create and manage production, crew and plant schedules
  • Work with Site Managers and crew leads to agree onsite provisions, responsibilities and working methods
  • Coordinate supplier schedules, deliveries and collections across build and de-rig

Festival Delivery

  • Act as the lead for production and infrastructure on assigned projects
  • Lead or support site mark-out with the Site Manager and Production Coordinator
  • Ensure the production schedule is delivered safely and on time
  • Lead daily HOD meetings where required
  • Direct suppliers and ensure equipment and infrastructure are installed in the correct locations
  • Coordinate with the Site Manager to ensure crew tasks and site requirements are completed
  • Work closely with Operations and Safety teams to support the smooth running of the event
  • Lead supplier, internal team and client debriefs following events
  • Maintain project logs, records and audit trails following event delivery

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

  • Experience producing and delivering large-scale outdoor events or festivals
  • Proven ability to manage event projects from planning through to live delivery
  • Strong supplier and contractor management experience
  • Experience managing event budgets, procurement and cost tracking
  • Excellent time management, organisation and attention to detail
  • Strong communication skills and confidence managing client and supplier relationships
  • Knowledge and passion for the events and festival industry
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Full clean driver’s licence

Desirable

  • Technical production experience
  • Proficiency in creating 2D CAD drawings
  • Experience working with local authorities, licensing teams and SAG
  • Experience producing risk assessments or event safety management documentation
  • Relevant event safety, crowd management or health and safety qualifications

GENERAL & COMPANY SUPPORT

Maintain logs, records and audit trails post-event

Support wider company activity where required, including venue research, marketing and social media support

ABOUT WE GROUP

We Group is an independent live event production collective based in East London, specialising in festivals and large-scale events. We have been producing live events for over 20 years, working with some of the most exciting independent festival promoters, brands and organisations across the UK, US and beyond deliver live events across music, sports, activities and cultural events.

Our team has delivered festivals including Boiler Room and Labyrinth on The Thames, brand activations for the likes of Cupra, and major events for organisations including Grosvenor and London Heritage Quarter.

We deliver everything from venue-finding and site design to council liaison, procurement, and on-site production management, helping clients bring ambitious live events to life across the UK and internationally.

We Group is made up of three agencies – The Fair, We Are Placemaking and We Are OPS – all of which work closely to deliver large-scale cultural events, public activations and festival operations.

WORKING AT WE GROUP

At We Group, we strive to produce the best possible experiences for the people we work with. Our team’s expertise, bravery and big-picture thinking are integral to our approach, but it’s our mix of ambition, creativity, fun and flair that really sets us apart.

Our team is our most valuable asset – we are a family, and we work hard to support each other’s development. As a member of the We Group family, you will be supported with regular personal and professional development plans, team workshops and training.

BENEFITS

Hybrid working options (2 days per week from home, flexible hours)

Holiday pay (additional holiday with years served) + birthday off with pay

Health Shield membership (to claim back medical expenses)

Option to join company share scheme after 3 years’ service

Company Cycle Scheme

Discounted in-office gym membership

Ongoing personal and professional development

Access to workshops, training, and industry events

Attendance at our portfolio of festivals and events

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews will take place as suitable candidates apply, so early applications are encouraged.

Please apply by sending your CV and/or cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification to: wo********@*****up.london

Subject line: Production Manager – The Fair application

Successful candidates will be invited for a short phone call to assess suitability, followed by a longer interview in person.

Applications via video or audio file will also be accepted and treated with equal consideration.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We strive to create the best possible experiences for everyone, and for everyone to feel valued and included. Our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our family – they are the magic behind the machine.

We are committed to equal opportunities and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of age, race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marriage, caring responsibilities, or pregnancy and maternity.

We welcome applications from deaf and disabled people. If you require reasonable adjustments to apply for the position or attend an interview, please let us know by calling 0203 916 6310 or emailing wo********@*****up.london

WHAT WE STAND FOR

At We Group, we believe in the power of events to inspire, connect, and transform. We champion independent promoters, advocate best practices in production, operations, and safety, and support the wider cultural ecosystem by cultivating new talent, pushing creative boundaries, and prioritising the audience experience. Our commitment extends beyond delivery, from mentoring emerging professionals and driving sustainability in festivals, to leading campaigns like Your Festival Needs You and producing the documentary It Takes a Village. Our team regularly shares expertise at UK and US industry events, while our CEO, Nick, serves as Vice-Chair of AIF, sits on the Advisory Board of NTIA, and contributes to SAGE and the ESA to strengthen support for the live events sector.