At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning and delivery of immersive production projects in a creative environment.
- Company: Join Visual Architects, a leader in experiential and scenic production across the UK and Europe.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for growth in a dynamic and creative industry.
- Other info: Collaborate with talented teams and bring innovative ideas to life.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the exciting world of immersive experiences and live events.
- Qualifications: Experience in production planning and managing multiple projects in creative environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester (Office & Workshop Based)
Type: Full Time
Reports to: Directors
About Visual Architects
Visual Architects is a creative production company specialising in immersive environments, experiential activations, festivals, hospitality interiors, scenic builds, bespoke fabrication, and large-scale event environments across the UK and Europe. We design, build, install, and deliver visually impactful experiences for brands, venues, agencies, and live events. Our projects range from temporary activations and festivals through to permanent installations, hospitality fit-outs, and complex scenic environments.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for a highly organised and operationally driven Head of Build & Production to lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of our fabrication and build operations. Please note: This is not a manufacturing or production line management role. We are specifically looking for candidates from experiential, scenic build, exhibitions, theatre, live events, fabrication, commercial interiors, immersive experiences, or creative production environments.
The Role
The Head of Build & Production is responsible for ensuring all projects are properly planned, resourced, fabricated, and delivered on time. This is a hands-on operational leadership role focused on:
- Build planning
- Production scheduling
- Workforce allocation
- Procurement coordination
- Workshop oversight
- Supplier management
- Project delivery
The successful candidate will oversee multiple live projects simultaneously, balancing workshop capacity, labour resources, procurement requirements, and delivery deadlines. You will work closely with Project Managers, Creative Producers, Designers, the Warehouse Team, Installation Teams, and the Workshop Manager to ensure projects move efficiently from concept approval through to installation. The successful candidate will initially work alongside the current Head of Production Manager for several months to learn internal systems, supplier networks, workflows, and operational structures before transitioning into full ownership of the role.
Key Responsibilities
- Production Planning & Scheduling
- Oversee the production and build schedule across all live projects.
- Create realistic fabrication and delivery timelines.
- Ensure projects are planned, sequenced, and delivered on time.
- Monitor project progress and proactively manage risks, delays, and resource conflicts.
- Coordinate production priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
- Ensure production schedules align with installation and delivery deadlines.
- Workforce Planning & Resource Allocation
- Plan labour requirements across fabrication, scenic, logistics, and installation teams.
- Coordinate internal teams, freelancers, subcontractors, and specialist suppliers.
- Monitor department capacity and workload planning.
- Ensure the correct resources are allocated to each project.
- Support recruitment and onboarding within the production department when required.
- Procurement & Materials Coordination
- Oversee material requirements across all active projects.
- Work closely with the Stock & Inventory Controller to manage material ordering, stock forecasting, stock availability, and procurement requirements.
- Liaise with suppliers regarding pricing, lead times, deliveries, and availability.
- Ensure materials arrive in line with project schedules to prevent delays.
- Support purchasing decisions and operational procurement planning.
- Workshop & Fabrication Oversight
- Work directly alongside the Workshop Manager, who oversees the day-to-day running of the workshop and fabrication teams.
- Ensure workshop schedules remain aligned with project deadlines.
- Monitor fabrication progress and build quality across all active projects.
- Support technical problem solving and practical build solutions.
- Maintain strong communication between workshop teams and project teams.
- Ensure projects leave the workshop fully prepared for transport and installation.
- Operational Leadership
- Lead and support the wider production function.
- Maintain clear communication across departments regarding timelines, priorities, risks, and project status.
- Attend planning and operational meetings.
- Support the development of efficient operational processes and planning systems.
- Help build a proactive, accountable, and solutions-focused culture within the department.
Skills & Experience Required
We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience within:
- Experiential events
- Scenic production
- Exhibition build
- Live events
- Immersive experiences
- Themed environments
- Hospitality fit-outs
- Creative fabrication
- Commercial interiors
- Museum and visitor attractions
- Production and build environments
Essential
- Strong production planning and organisational skills.
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience coordinating fabrication and build schedules.
- Strong understanding of workshop operations and build environments.
- Experience managing labour, contractors, and suppliers.
- Strong commercial awareness and budget management skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable
- Scenic fabrication experience.
- Exhibition or experiential industry experience.
- Knowledge of joinery, scenic finishing, metalwork, print, or specialist fabrication processes.
- Experience within immersive or visitor attraction environments.
- Experience managing large-scale build and installation projects.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be someone who understands how creative projects are physically brought to life. You will be highly organised, commercially aware, operationally strong, and comfortable managing fast-moving projects where priorities can shift quickly.
This role would suit someone currently working as:
- Head of Production
- Head of Scenic Production
- Production Manager
- Senior Production Manager
- Build Manager
- Scenic Production Manager
- Technical Production Manager
- Fabrication Manager
- Workshop Manager
- Operations Manager
within an experiential, scenic, fabrication, exhibition, live event, or immersive environment.
Head of Scenic Production in Manchester employer: Visual Architekts
Visual Architects is an exceptional employer located in Manchester, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development within the immersive production industry, alongside a supportive culture that values innovation and teamwork. Our hands-on approach to project management ensures that every team member plays a vital role in delivering impactful experiences, making it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Scenic Production in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, workshops, and meet-ups to connect with people in the experiential and scenic production world. You never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects in experiential events and scenic builds. Make sure it’s visually appealing and easy to navigate – this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in production planning and resource allocation. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Scenic Production in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Scenic Production role. Highlight your experience in experiential events and scenic production, as we want to see how your skills align with our creative projects.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills:Since this role is all about planning and coordination, give us examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects at once. We love seeing how you keep everything on track and deliver on time!
Communicate Clearly:Your written application should reflect your communication skills. Be clear and concise, and make sure to convey your passion for immersive experiences and creative production. We want to feel your enthusiasm!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Visual Architekts
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Visual Architects' past projects. Familiarise yourself with their immersive environments and experiential activations. Being able to discuss specific projects will show your genuine interest and understanding of their work.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your production planning and organisational skills. Think about times when you successfully managed multiple projects or coordinated complex schedules. This will highlight your ability to handle the demands of the Head of Build & Production role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As this role involves operational leadership, be ready to discuss your approach to leading teams. Share experiences where you fostered collaboration and maintained clear communication across departments. This will illustrate your capability to build a proactive and accountable culture.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's future projects, team dynamics, and operational processes. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals and values.
