At a Glance
- Tasks: Create unforgettable live events and connect with local artists and venues.
- Company: Join Sofar, a global movement revitalising live music experiences.
- Benefits: Flexible freelance role with ownership and creative freedom.
- Why this job: Shape your city's cultural scene while promoting emerging talent.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in event production and strong local connections.
- Other info: Collaborate with a passionate global team and access valuable resources.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
While this role is hybrid, candidates must be based in the designated city.
About Us
Born in a London flat in 2009, Sofar began as an answer to a growing problem: live music had lost its magic. It blossomed into a global movement that kept music at its heart while expanding to comedy, singles, dance, and more — all connected by Sofar's renowned track record for discovering rising talent. Countless mainstage performers like Billie Eilish, Jack Harlow, Chappell Roan, Leon Bridges, Olivia Dean, YEBBA, Teddy Swims, Remi Wolf, Hozier, and Lola Young have played Sofar shows early in their careers. More than just a gig, Sofar empowers artists by providing a professional platform that spans both the physical and digital worlds, handling everything from booking and promotion to filling the room, while granting artists access to an ecosystem of opportunities including brand partnerships, a powerful content engine, and global media placements.
No two Sofar shows are the same, but each pairs world-class live experience with beautiful and unique spaces — from a ski jump, cave, boat, or hidden museum room, to private living rooms, gardens, and rooftops. Regardless of the setting, each Sofar experience is an invitation to be truly present. Audiences fully immerse themselves in the performance, using their devices not as an escape, but as a tool to support the artist and stay connected to the community.
Those of us who work at Sofar are deeply passionate about what we do. When we’re not working, you can probably find us at a live show or telling anyone in earshot about the new song we can’t stop listening to. Discovering and supporting artists gets us out of bed every morning – and knowing that we’re creating memorable, intimate fan experiences worldwide drives our work forward.
The Role
As a Freelance Local Producer, you’ll join a global network of entrepreneurial community builders and tastemakers, collaborating and learning from peers around the world while shaping the cultural landscape in your city. Our Producers have strong business instincts, cultural fluency, and deep local networks they can activate - from artists and venues to brands and community partners. They’re natural promoters who are passionate about creating impactful and memorable pop-up experiences that provide opportunities for real-life, meaningful engagement. Producers are resourceful, proactive, and driven; whether it’s figuring out how to creatively sell tickets or dealing with a live event curveball, they know how to get things done and thrive on the challenge.
This is an entrepreneurial, independent role designed for self-starters who want meaningful ownership over how Sofar shows up in their local community. This role encompasses all aspects of event planning and curation, marketing and promotion, and overall event execution. You’ll be supported by Sofar’s Global Communities team and have access to training, resources, and opportunities to connect with other creators around the world.
If this sounds like it’s up your alley, we can’t wait to meet you!
*Please note that this is a freelance, commission-based partnership, not a traditional employment role, offering flexibility and ownership in exchange for accountability and initiative. While the schedule is self-directed, much of the work naturally happens during evenings and weekends, when live events and community engagement come to life.
What you’ll do:
- Strengthen Sofar’s brand in your local community, promoting and selling tickets in your city with self-directed local marketing tactics.
- Create a vision to build and execute your city’s strategy – number of monthly shows, neighborhoods, show theme ideas, etc.
- Lead curation and booking for experiences in your city with the highest-quality, diverse set of artists and venues, continuing to grow our networks, as needed.
- Own the staffing and quality of shows in your local market, working to ensure magical experiences that are rooted in hospitality.
- Manage your city’s financial performance, ensuring financial success and health of every event.
- Build relationships with local businesses to drive sales of sponsorships and private events.
- Identify and build relationships with local organizations with like-minded audiences to build community, broaden our reach, and co‑promote shows.
- Collaborate with other local leaders to grow your city through diverse experiences that generate buzz and amplify Sofar’s brand awareness.
- Support Sofar’s Business Partnerships and Global Communities teams by ensuring high-quality curation and seamless event operations for inbound partnership opportunities that elevate the Sofar brand.
Who you are:
- You have deep connections to your local scene and play an active role in building community around it.
- You have 3-5 years of experience in live event curation, production, and promotions.
- You have experience selling event sponsorships or marketing activations, preferably in the live events or experiential marketing space.
- You’re confident pitching ideas and event concepts to potential sponsors and have a track record of closing partnership deals.
- You have a strong pulse on your city, the unique nature of each neighborhood, and where people like to spend their free time.
- You’re a natural connector and excel at building relationships with diverse community‑driven organizations, media partners, or local businesses that would add strategic and financial value to your vertical's growth.
- You understand how to promote and build strategic alliances that will ultimately sell more tickets at our shows.
- You take pride in your work and approach every opportunity with professionalism and ownership, ensuring the best experience for artists, venues, partners, and guests.
- You have exceptional time management skills and are a clear communicator.
- You can work autonomously, but understand the importance of remaining connected to the broader organization.
Additional Details:
- Some cities may already have active Producers or multiple roles available. You must be comfortable working alongside other Producers and collaborating as part of a shared market, particularly in larger cities with multiple neighborhoods or vertical expansion opportunities.
- Autonomy and support: You will lead locally while accessing global resources, training, and support from the Sofar team.
- Our global Sofar team is deeply passionate about music and the work we do. When we’re not working, you can probably find us at a live show or telling anyone in earshot about the new song we can’t stop listening to.
- If our mission and job opening resonates, you're encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description. We are committed to creating a culture of belonging and building a diverse team that reflects a variety of lived experiences, perspectives, and skills.
- We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.
Freelance Local Event Producer, Portsmouth UK (contract, revenue share) employer: Sofar Sounds
Contact Detail:
Sofar Sounds Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Freelance Local Event Producer, Portsmouth UK (contract, revenue share)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with local artists, venues, and businesses. Attend events, join community groups, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. The more people you know, the easier it’ll be to create those magical Sofar experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When pitching ideas for events, think outside the box. Unique themes and unexpected venues can really grab attention. Remember, we want to create memorable experiences that resonate with the community, so let your imagination run wild!
✨Tip Number 3
Stay organised and proactive. Keep track of your contacts, potential sponsors, and event ideas in one place. This will help you manage your time effectively and ensure you’re always ready to seize opportunities as they come up. We love a good planner!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to get noticed by us. Make sure your application reflects your passion for live events and your local scene. We’re excited to see how you can contribute to the Sofar magic!
We think you need these skills to ace Freelance Local Event Producer, Portsmouth UK (contract, revenue share)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your love for live events and music shine through in your application. We want to see how passionate you are about creating memorable experiences, so share your personal connection to the local scene!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experience in event production and community engagement. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and how they align with our mission.
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond just your qualifications. Share your unique perspective on what makes your city special!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sofar Sounds
✨Know Your Local Scene
Before the interview, dive deep into your local music and event scene. Research recent events, popular venues, and emerging artists in Portsmouth. This knowledge will not only impress but also show your genuine passion for the community.
✨Showcase Your Network
Be ready to discuss your connections with local artists, venues, and businesses. Highlight specific examples of how you've collaborated or built relationships in the past. This demonstrates your ability to activate your network for Sofar's benefit.
✨Prepare Creative Ideas
Think of unique themes or concepts for potential shows in your city. Presenting fresh ideas during the interview can set you apart and show that you're proactive about enhancing Sofar's brand in Portsmouth.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Since live events can be unpredictable, prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. This will showcase your resourcefulness and ability to thrive under pressure, which is crucial for a Freelance Local Producer.