Director of Producing Nottingham Playhouse Executive

At Nottingham Playhouse, we create ambitious, artistically excellent theatre that connects with our communities and reaches audiences locally, nationally and beyond. We are now looking for an experienced and inspiring Director of Producing to lead on the delivery and future life of our productions — from feasibility through to realisation — and to play a key role in shaping the producing strategy of the organisation.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and Artistic Director, this senior role will work closely with the Production Manager and Senior Management Team to ensure our programme is delivered to the highest artistic standards, on time and within budget. You will also proactively build co-producing relationships across the commercial and subsidised sector, and explore future life opportunities for our work including touring, transfers and licensing.

The Director of Producing line manages the Producer and Programme Coordinator, and oversees the smooth administration of our visiting programme.

The Director of Producing is responsible for the successful delivery of Nottingham Playhouse productions from feasibility through to realisation, ensuring each project is delivered to a high artistic standard and within agreed budgets, timeframes and practical parameters. The role is responsible for proactively developing co-production partnerships, securing and managing agreements, and ensuring the effective dissemination of producing information across the organisation. A key part of the position is to develop and manage future life opportunities for Nottingham Playhouse work, including the exploitation of intellectual property (historic, current and future), such as touring, transfers and licensing. The role also oversees the visiting programme administration via the Programme Coordinator and ensures best practice across producing activity, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, safeguarding, and sustainability.

We are looking for an experienced senior producer with a strong track record of delivering high-quality theatre productions in a professional context. You will be strategically minded, highly organised, and confident working across multiple complex projects with competing deadlines. You will bring significant experience of line-producing across a range of activity including commissions, R&D, co-productions, touring and transfers. You will have demonstrable ability to build and maintain strong relationships across the theatre industry — including with commercial and subsidised co-producers — and experience negotiating, securing and managing agreements. You will have strong financial and organisational skills, including managing budgets, schedules and cash flow, ensuring productions are delivered efficiently and within agreed parameters. You will be a collaborative leader, able to motivate and develop producing colleagues, and work closely with colleagues across artistic, production, marketing, finance, fundraising and participation. You will share Nottingham Playhouse’s commitment to artistic ambition, inclusion and environmental sustainability, and you will be confident acting as an ambassador for the organisation.

• Lead the producing delivery of Nottingham Playhouse productions: Line-produce selected Nottingham Playhouse productions and delegate other projects to the Producer, overseeing delivery at all stages from feasibility through to performance.
• Deliver co-productions, tours and transfers: Line-produce Nottingham Playhouse work in co-production with other venues and partners, including touring, West End transfers and international opportunities where applicable, acting as primary point of contact for partner producers.
• Commissioning and rights management: Negotiate and manage writers’ commissioning agreements (including options), secure performance rights, and ensure licensing requirements are fulfilled, working closely with the Artistic Director and Chief Executive as required.
• Strategic season planning and production oversight: Work with the Executive and Production Manager to take an overview of each season in practical terms, including scheduling, budgets and feasibility planning.
• Budgeting and financial management: Create, manage and monitor production budgets, including cash flow considerations, ensuring projects remain within agreed financial parameters and represent best value.
• Develop future life and IP opportunities: Take key responsibility for exploring, securing and managing future life opportunities for projects — including touring, transfers, licensing and other exploitation — and manage the intellectual property portfolio for historic, current and future productions.
• Oversee the visiting programme administration: Ensure smooth operational planning and communication for visiting companies through effective line management of the Programme Coordinator.
• Collaborate across the organisation: Ensure producing information is shared effectively across departments including Marketing, Production, Finance, Development, Participation, Box Office and Welcome teams.
• Represent Nottingham Playhouse externally: Attend industry events, networks and stakeholder meetings on behalf of Nottingham Playhouse, acting as an ambassador for our work and building productive external relationships.
• Support safeguarding and best practice: Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, supporting implementation of safeguarding policies and ensuring best practice across programme delivery.

• Significant senior-level producing experience within a professional theatre or live performance organisation.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality theatre productions from feasibility through to realisation.
• Substantial line-producing experience across commissioning, R&D, touring, transfers and co-productions.
• Demonstrable success working with commercial and subsidised co-producers, including negotiating and managing agreements.
• Strong financial management experience including budgets, schedules and cash flow.
• Experience securing and managing intellectual property, and developing future life opportunities for work.
• Experience of line management, delegation and developing producing staff.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively across artistic, production, marketing, finance and development teams.
• Knowledge of union agreements and relevant licensing frameworks.
• Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and best practice producing.
• Safeguarding knowledge/experience (or willingness to undertake training).
• Strong judgement, ability to manage competing priorities, and make decisions under pressure.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends in line with production schedules.
• Passion for theatre and commitment to artistic excellence.

You’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of Nottingham Playhouse, supporting an organisation that champions creativity, community and inclusion. You’ll join a warm, collaborative team, with the flexibility to work both onsite and remotely.