Senior Production Manager

Senior Production Manager – Festivals

(Pathway to Head of Production)

Organisation: The Fair

Location: Hoxton, London

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hrs per week

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Job Overview

Reporting to: Senior Production Director

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Production Manager – Festivals to join our in-house production team and lead the delivery of major projects across our growing festival portfolio.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone with extensive experience delivering large-scale outdoor events who is ready to take the next step in their career. You will lead the planning and delivery of complex festival projects, support the development of Production Managers and Coordinators across the team, and play a key role in maintaining the high operational standards that The Fair is known for.

Working closely with the Senior Production Director and wider leadership team, you will help shape how our festivals are delivered as the company continues to grow.

For the right candidate, this role offers a pathway to developing into a Head of Production role, taking on increasing responsibility for team leadership, operational strategy and the future development of The Fair’s festival portfolio.

Depending on project scale and team capacity, you will act as Senior Production Manager or Production Manager on key festivals, overseeing projects from early planning and site design through to build, live event delivery and de-rig.

We welcome applications from experienced Production Managers looking to transition into a senior in-house role while continuing to lead complex festival projects.

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 extensive experience delivering large outdoor festivals or live events
• Is currently a Senior Production Manager or experienced Production Manager ready to step up
• Enjoys both hands-on event delivery and supporting team development
• Wants to grow into a department leadership role in the coming years
• Thrives in a collaborative, creative and fast-paced festival environment

Key Responsibilities

Lead the delivery of major festivals and events

Act as Senior Production Manager or Production Manager on key projects across The Fair’s festival portfolio, overseeing planning, site design, supplier coordination and on-site delivery.

Support the development of the production team

Work alongside the Senior Production Director to support Production Managers and Coordinators across projects, sharing expertise, mentoring team members and helping to maintain high operational standards.

Drive operational excellence

Ensure festivals are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest operational standard through strong planning, supplier management and risk management.

Contribute to the future growth of the department

Support the development of production systems, team processes and operational frameworks as The Fair continues to expand its festival portfolio.

Production Leadership

• Lead the planning and delivery of major festival and event projects

• Provide senior operational guidance and technical expertise across productions

• Work closely with the Operations Director and Senior Production Director on strategic planning for festivals

• Maintain high standards of operational planning, safety compliance and production delivery

• Support innovative production solutions and efficient infrastructure planning

Team Leadership & Development

• Support Production Managers and Coordinators across multiple projects

• Mentor junior team members and share operational knowledge

• Assist with project allocation and workload planning across the team

• Help maintain a collaborative and supportive team culture

Project Oversight

• Review production schedules, site layouts and operational planning across projects

• Support complex production challenges and risk management

• Work alongside the Operations Team (We Are OPS) to maintain high standards of operational documentation and planning

Client & Project Management

• Manage key client relationships across festival projects

• Attend client meetings and represent The Fair at a senior level where required

• Ensure client expectations are managed effectively throughout the project lifecycle

• Lead project debriefs and contribute to continuous improvement

Financial Management

• Manage production budgets across your projects

• Lead supplier procurement and negotiations

• Support the Senior Production Director with tracking project costs and ensuring financial reporting is accurate

• Support the Senior Production Director with cost control and project profitability

Festival Delivery

• Lead major projects from early planning through to live event delivery

• Provide senior on-site leadership during build, live and break periods

• Lead post-event debriefs and operational reviews

Person Specification

Essential

• Extensive experience delivering large-scale outdoor festivals or live events (10,000+ capacity preferred)

• Proven experience leading complex event productions from concept through to live delivery

• Experience mentoring or supporting junior Production Managers or Coordinators

• Strong supplier and contractor management across large multi-supplier event environments

• Excellent operational planning, budgeting and risk management experience

• Excellent organisational and communication skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint

• Full clean driver’s licence

• Technical production experience

• Proficiency in creating 2D CAD drawings

Desirable

• Experience working with local authorities, licensing teams and SAG where required

• Crowd Safety Management, NEBOSH or similar qualifications

• Experience delivering large multi-day festivals

Working at The Fair

At The Fair, 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 Fair family, you will be supported with regular personal and professional development plans, team workshops and training, and access to the Future Learn training platform.

During autumn and winter, the team plans festivals and attends industry events and networking. During festival season, they’re onsite as part of the production crew: building, delivering, and de-rigging live events.

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