Senior Production Manager

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.
• 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
• 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
• 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

• 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
• Technical production experience
• Proficiency in creating 2D CAD drawings
• Experience working with local authorities, licensing teams and SAG where required
• Crowd Safety Management, NEBOSH or similar 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 THE FAIR

The Fair is an independent live event production agency 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 across the UK to deliver festivals from 5,000–30,000 capacity across music, sports, activities and cultural events. Our team has delivered festivals and large‑scale events including Eastern Electrics, Boiler Room, Wasing on the Mount, Labyrinth on The Thames, and major estate events for clients such as 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. The Fair is part of WeGroup, alongside sister agencies Placemaking and OPS, both of which work closely with The Fair to deliver large‑scale cultural events, public activations and festival operations.

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
• 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: Subject line: Production Coordinator – 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.

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.