Executive Producer in London

Applications close 10pm Sunday 11 January 2026. Successful shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an initial interview on 27 or 29 January 2026. We can provide a BSL interpreter if required.

The Role

Responsible to: Creative Director (BAC) / Artistic Director (LIFT)

Working Closely with: CEO & Artistic Director (BAC), Development Director, Finance Director, Communications Director, Producers, partner venues and senior stakeholders

Responsible for: Producer, freelance and project-based producers and delivery teams as required

General Description

This role will be part of BAC’s Producing Team. It may be expected to contribute to a range of workstreams, but the role will primarily lead on all our London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) and some of BAC’s productions work. This is a dynamic and hands-on leadership position within Battersea Arts Centre’s Producing Team. You will play a key role in shaping and delivering the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT), produced biennially across London by BAC. The role also includes leading BAC’s international productions and building takeover projects. It is an exciting opportunity for a bold and imaginative producer with extensive experience delivering cultural projects at various scales, and a deep commitment to inclusion, innovation, and international collaboration.

This role leads the producing and delivery of the festival’s ambitious artistic programme. Critical to that responsibility are managing risk, strategic planning, partnership development, team management, resource and budget planning and co-owning income targets. You will ensure the successful realisation of complex international projects delivered in partnership with London’s most iconic cultural venues, and for other public sites and spaces. This role spans two delivery models – biennial festival programming and annual large-scale building-takeover projects – across multi-venue and public-realm contexts.

The culture at BAC is a collaborative and open one. We work in an open plan space with no closed private offices and frequently work across teams and roles. We are lucky to have an outdoor terrace adjoined to the office which is particularly nice in the summer months. There’s a good culture of people taking lunch breaks away from desks and two equipped kitchen and eating areas where the team tend to spend their down time. We organise regular social events and things can get competitive at our annual sports day and Christmas quiz. Though to be clear, spectating is respected as much as taking part here at BAC!

Role Responsibilities

• Lead on administration, planning, budgeting, contracting, risk management, financial reporting, delivery and evaluation of LIFT across multiple venues, alternative sites and public realm contexts.
• Own the programme‑wide critical path and chair a weekly cross‑functional producing meeting to track milestones and mitigations.
• Oversee BAC’s international productions and building takeover projects (typically one per year).
• Negotiate with venues and partners to deliver efficient and sustainable deals.
• Work closely with team heads (Operations, Development, Production & Technical, Marketing & Communications) to ensure joined‑up planning and delivery.
• Lead and motivate teams to provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming festival experience.
• Ensure the effective delivery of BAC’s Radical Inclusion strategies, Relaxed Venue and Pay What You Can models.
• Embed access from project outset (BSL, captioning, audio description, relaxed standards) in partnership with artists, venues and Access leads.
• Monitor and enhance the artist and collaborator experience, promoting a culture of care and collaboration.
• Maintain high production values and encourage best practice across all activity.
• Attend events and connect with artists locally, nationally and internationally.
• Manage budgets for LIFT and specific BAC productions, reporting regularly to the Executive Team and working with the Management Accountant and finance team to maintain financial oversight.

Relationships and Fundraising

• Support BAC’s Development team in delivering LIFT’s fundraising strategy through income generation and contribution to bid development.
• Identify and cultivate funders, sponsors and partners across trusts, foundations, corporates, embassies and individuals.
• Contribute to compelling proposals, cultivation events, and funder relationships to secure sustainable income for current and future festivals.
• Build and manage partnerships with London’s key cultural venues, boroughs, civic bodies and international collaborators.
• Represent BAC and LIFT at senior level with funders, networks and peers.
• Lead relationship management with co‑producing and commissioning partners.

Team and Collaboration

• Support and mentor producing staff and freelancers, championing inclusivity, accessibility and environmental responsibility.
• Plan permanent/freelance resourcing and recruitment timelines against the delivery calendar.
• Manage freelance teams and recruitment processes.
• Foster cross‑team collaboration to integrate LIFT within BAC’s year‑round activity.
• Ensure artists and project staff reflect the diversity of the UK and are supported to share their perspectives.
• Maintain excellence across all activities and uphold BAC’s values.
• Provide supportive line management and identify opportunities for training and development and lead shared learning loops following each production.

General Tasks

• Be an active participant in BAC’s wider creative life, attending performances and events, and supporting the venue’s public‑facing activities.
• Contribute to staff meetings, cross‑team collaborations, and organisational initiatives that support BAC’s mission and continuous improvement culture.
• Maintain professional development, staying informed of trends in hospitality, retail, and event services to bring fresh ideas and improvements.
• Ensure that BAC’s values of inclusivity, sustainability, and generosity are reflected in all aspects of your work and team leadership.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the leadership of BAC.

Person Specification

When we shortlist, we use these criteria to select the best candidates.

Knowledge: the understanding of a subject or information that a candidate has

• Essential: In‑depth knowledge of theatre and live performance, and awareness of diverse cultural and artistic practices nationally and internationally.
• Knowledge of producing at various scales, including festivals.
• Knowledge of partnership frameworks and fundraising models.
• Co‑commissioning/touring models; IP and recoupment considerations.

• Desirable: Familiarity with environmental and sustainability standards for live events (e.g., Theatre Green Book).

Experience: the practical application of the knowledge that a candidate has acquired through working or living

• Essential: Extensive senior management experience in the arts.
• Proven ability to lead large, cross‑functional teams to deliver strategic priorities in complex environments.
• Experience overseeing planning, budgeting, and operational delivery with multiple partners and across multi‑venue, city‑wide and public‑realm contexts.
• Demonstrated success in developing and delivering fundraising strategies.
• Experience working internationally and/or with diverse communities.
• Strong network of partnerships in the arts sector.

• Desirable: Experience producing outdoor, site‑specific or public‑space projects.

Skills:

• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong financial management and budgeting abilities.
• Outstanding producing and problem‑solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Ability to prioritise, delegate, and manage competing demands.
• Experience supporting and motivating teams.
• Crisis/incident response with clear communications under pressure.
• Leadership across internal teams and external partners.
• Analytical skills to inform decisions.

• Desirable: Experience of using Artifax.
• Experience delivering under live broadcast/digital capture workflows.

Values: the behaviours a candidate should be able to demonstrate

BAC's values reflect the motto inscribed the walls of our old Town Hall building “Not for me, not for you, but for us”. We are inclusive and kind. We expect all our staff to live this motto in their approach to work and BAC's mission.

• Commitment to BAC’s and LIFT’s values: creativity, inclusivity, sustainability, and internationalism.
• A collaborative, resilient, and imaginative approach to producing.
• Passion for innovation and excellence in the arts.
• A passion and commitment to arts with a social purpose.
• Willingness to take part in professional development opportunities and to develop new skills.

Terms & Conditions

This role is 5 days a week Monday-Friday; usual office hours are 10am-6pm. We offer flexible working where possible. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required. All staff at Battersea Arts Centre are expected to attend performances and events and be a part of the artistic life of the organisation.

Salary

Approx. £50,000 gross per annum (negotiable, depending on experience)

Hours

35 hours per week, excluding a daily one-hour lunch break. This role is 5 days a week Monday-Friday. Usual office hours are Monday-Friday 10am-6pm. We offer flexible working where possible. We are also open to applicants who would prefer to work part time during LIFT Festival’s off year. Evening and weekend work will be required during peak delivery periods. Flexibility will be required during programme delivery.

Overtime

No overtime payments; TOIL system

Annual Leave

4 weeks per year, pro rata (5 weeks following one full year of service)

Probation period

6 months, with a 3 month review

Notice period

3 months

Contract Period

Fixed Term, 3 years (renewable)

Pension Scheme

BAC’s pension scheme provided by NEST

Staff Benefits

Complimentary tickets (subject to availability and staff ticket policy), Employment Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured, Cycle to Work Scheme, Discount in the BAC cafe (subject to discount policy), 5 Development Days (pro rata)