General Manager in London

About Michael Harrison Entertainment (MHE) is led by award-winning producer Michael Harrison and was founded in 2005. MHE is an industry leading production company with shows across the West End, UK and Broadway.

The General Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of productions, including West End, Touring and international transfers. The General Manager will lead the delivery of assigned productions, taking responsibility for running these on budget and to schedule. They will lead the production process from start to finish overseeing budgets, schedules, negotiations, recruitment of production staff, processes (including accounts, payroll, royalties, marketing, technical), company welfare, press nights and travel/accommodation. The General Manager will be the point of contact for creative teams, authors, co-producers, the company, venue and other stakeholders. They will bring extensive management and decision-making experience to deliver MHE’s work to the highest possible standard.

Salary: TBC depending on experience

Hours: Full-time. 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm. Due to the nature of this role some evening and weekend work will be required, and you may be asked to work additional hours from time to time. This role may also require travel and occasional overnight stays.

Work location: You will be based out of our London Covent Garden office and will be required to travel when necessary.

Application Timeline: Applications must be received by the 14th August 6pm

Responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver the production(s) from development to pre-production to closure, including transfers of new or existing productions.
• Reporting to and liaise with the Producer, Managing Director and Touring Producer regularly on status, budget and progress of each production.
• Draft and manage production budgets. Forecast, monitor and reconcile weekly running budgets and pre-production expenditure.
• Ensure all aspects of the production are suitably insured.
• Work with the Directors on casting where required, and work with casting directors to coordinate the casting process.
• Lead the recruitment and appointment of senior production staff, including conducting interviews and negotiating contractual terms. Oversee the recruitment of other production staff.
• Negotiate deals for creative teams, cast and stage management and technical production staff in line with budget and union agreements and maintain a record of deals done.
• Draft and negotiate high level production contracts and oversee the drafting of all production contracts ensuring contracts are issued accurately, and no later than two weeks prior to an individual’s start date as a minimum requirement.
• Work closely with the Company Management team of each production on the management of all production staff including the effective handling of employee relations, contractual, performance and conduct matters.
• Work closely with the Production Manager of each show on the management and delivery of the production.
• Assist with the negotiation of contracts for theatres as required.
• Monitor and report on financial performance of each production.
• Check and sign off the weekly payroll and oversee travel, transport, accommodation and per diems.
• Attend the technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances, including cover runs as and when required.

Essential skills and experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience working on commercial musicians and/or plays.
• Experience of working on large-scale West End productions and/or UK tours.
• Experience of the day-to-day management of productions and contract negotiation.
• Experience of building production budgets and managing expenditure.
• Proven ability to deliver work within budgetary constraints.
• Detailed working knowledge of Union Agreements.
• Experience of HR processes, including employee relations.
• Experience of line management and managing show teams.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and numeracy skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Experience of working on multiple productions simultaneously and excellent time-management, with the ability to juggle a heavy and varied workload with efficiency.
• Experience of theatre marketing and press campaigns.
• Experience of casting and recruitment processes.
• The ability to lead, motivate and work effectively as part of a team.
• Proven ability to work with high-level stakeholders, including producers, creatives and senior partners.
• Strong commercial awareness.
• Ability to communicate with confidence at all levels, including face-to-face, written, telephone and group communication with discretion and diplomacy.
• Fantastic problem-solving skills.