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 setting.
- Other info: Collaborate with talented teams and bring innovative projects to life.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the exciting world of immersive experiences and large-scale events.
- Qualifications: Experience in production planning, project management, and creative fabrication is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ 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 Warrington 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 unique projects and hands-on leadership roles ensure that every team member plays a vital part in delivering visually 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 Warrington
✨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 have the inside scoop on job openings or be looking for someone just like you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects and experiences in production and fabrication. Make it visually appealing and easy to navigate, so potential employers can see what you bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Visual Architects, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website! Apply through StudySmarter’s platform to streamline your application process. We’ve got resources and tips to help you stand out, so take advantage of everything we offer to land that dream role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Scenic Production in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Production:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for experiential and scenic production shine through. We want to see how your experiences align with our creative projects and how you can bring them to life!
Be Organised and Clear:Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Highlight your organisational skills and experience managing multiple projects, as this is key for the Head of Build & Production role. A clear layout will help us see your strengths at a glance.
Tailor Your Experience:Don’t just list your past jobs; connect your experience to the specific requirements in the job description. Whether it’s your work in immersive environments or managing suppliers, show us how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team.
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 shows you’re keen to join our creative family at Visual Architects!
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 examples will show your genuine interest and understanding of their work.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As the Head of Build & Production, you'll need to juggle multiple projects. Prepare to share examples from your past where you successfully managed production schedules and resource allocation. Highlight how you kept everything on track, even under pressure.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex project details. Be ready to explain how you would maintain clear communication across departments and manage stakeholder expectations.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
In the world of production, challenges are inevitable. Think of instances where you faced unexpected issues during a project and how you resolved them. This will showcase your ability to adapt and find solutions quickly, which is crucial for the role.
