Senior Production Manager in London

The Barbican is a multidisciplinary international arts centre in the City of London. Across its theatres, concert halls, cinemas, galleries, business venues, public and community spaces, the Barbican showcases the most exciting artists and performers from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping us understand our lives in new and unexpected ways. Each year, the Centre presents hundreds of different performances, events and exhibitions that entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in. Firmly rooted in its neighbourhood, the Barbican collaborates on projects with local communities, and supports young people and emerging talent to develop their artistic practice and access jobs in the creative industry.

Music Programme

Our boundary-pushing music programme is renowned for its range, ambition, and inclusivity. Alongside our partners, we provide some of the most exciting musical experiences in the capital, from dazzling classical concerts and opera to unique shows with leading contemporary artists, cutting-edge electronic creations, durational experiences, and cross-arts collaborations. Together we create projects which go beyond the standard live music experience, presenting music which hovers at the edges of classification. We provide artists with bespoke development opportunities and invest in emerging talent through commissions. We are committed to an ambitious, creative, diverse, and distinctive programme which showcases both local and international developments in the art form and is engaging and relevant to the multiple communities we serve. Our concerts are open and accessible to all: there are discounted tickets to 14–25-year-olds through our Young Barbican scheme, while our Club Stage events offer young people a new route in.

The role

We're looking for a highly motivated, dynamic and experienced Senior Production Manager to work closely with the Senior Producer and Production team to manage the pre-planning and operation of all Music activity and to deliver world-class events in the Concert Hall and associated areas, onsite and offsite. The Senior Production Manager both plays a managerial role in the Production team, and communicates the operational needs of music events to all necessary and related internal departments, devising, reviewing and agreeing procedures with all concerned, to ensure a consistent delivery of the rental and own-promotion programmes in the Concert Hall. The post holder will work in close co-operation with the Programmers, Technical Manager (Music events) and Senior Stage Manager to achieve the delivery of the Music programme to one international standard. They will also act as a key contact for the Resident Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and Barbican Music's other Artistic Associates. Line management and motivation of an experienced team of Production Managers is an integral part of the role; the ability to multitask, work under pressure and excellent interpersonal skills are vital. Weekend and evening work is required on occasions for this role. Additional responsibilities encompass championing team systems, at a departmental and organisational level; designing, implementing and managing protocols and ways of working in order to ensure the consistency and quality of concert delivery. The roles are event production focused rather than a technical production role.

Essential requirements:

• Excellent knowledge and interest in the arts, and in particular music (classical and contemporary).
• An extensive knowledge of the music industry, and a thorough understanding of all the creative processes of music-making.
• Proven experience working in a multi-disciplinary arts venue, major music venue or an events company in an event production role.
• Extensive understanding of event production, stage and technical delivery.
• Excellent understanding and experience of working with the UK points-based visa system.
• Excellent level oral and written communication skills, including proven ability to communicate to diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Excellent facilitation and negotiation skills and ability to juggle conflicting needs and priorities of multiple stakeholders.
• Proven experience of line-management.
• Good knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and Risk Assessments for live music events.
• Good understanding of FEU tax procedures.
• Good knowledge of production support systems e.g. Artifax and excellent IT skills.

You must be able to demonstrate:

• Extensive event management and line management experience in a Concert Hall environment.
• Track record of stakeholder management and engagement and the ability to consult with, negotiate and persuade internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Good experience of managing complex budgets.
• Proven track record of complex project management.
• Experience of managing and developing staff, including setting and measuring objectives and managing performance.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively across boundaries to achieve positive outcomes.

What We Offer:

• Barbican Membership
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
• Access to Barbican Centre discounts including offers at the Barbican Shop and hospitality outlets
• City Corporation staff benefits and discounts throughout the City of London, including at Tower Bridge, Guildhall Art Gallery and others
• Reciprocal entry to a number of galleries and museums across London
• Employee volunteering scheme (up to 2 days per year)
• A vibrant, creative, inclusive workplace at one of the world's leading arts centres

To view the full Job Description and Person Specification for the role please see the 'Job Information Pack'

How to apply

To apply click on the 'Apply Now' button submit a CV, and Cover Letter of no more the 2 sides of A4, outlining how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the Person Specification and outline of the role responsibilities. Please address each of the points in the Person Specification where possible. Applications without a completed application form will not be accepted. If there are any issues with the application process, please contact the Barbican Careers team at Careers@barbican.org.uk. Deadline for applications is 23:55 on Friday 5th June 2026. The advert may close ahead of this date if a sufficient number of applications is reached - apply early to avoid missing out. Please note that we are unable to accept late applications. We regret that we are unable to provide feedback on your application.

The City of London Corporation want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation – and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors. As part of our commitment to increasing the diversity of staff within the Barbican we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from groups that are currently underrepresented, including people from the Global Majority and D/deaf and disabled people. We want to better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We are members of the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who would like to be considered under this scheme and who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. Please contact us if you require reasonable adjustments as part of the application process.