Festival Production Manager

Production Manager

Organisation:
The Fair

Location:
Hoxton, London

Hours:
Full-time, 37.5 hrs per week

Salary: £32,000 - £36,000k per annum

About The Fair

The Fair is an independent live event production agency based in East London, specialising in festivals and large-scale events. We have been producing live events for 20 years, working with some of the most exciting independent festival promoters across the UK to deliver festivals from 5,000–30,000 capacity in sports, activities, wellness, and live/electronic music.

We deliver everything from venue-finding and site design to council liaison, procurement, and on-site production management. From full production of Eastern Electrics, Boiler Room, and Recfest USA to health and safety consulting for Houghton and Grosvenor Estates, our full-time team helps deliver some of the most thriving live events across the UK and abroad all year round. We're always building our festival portfolio and working with clients to grow their events.

The Fair is part of WeGroup, alongside sister agencies Placemaking and OPS, both of which work closely with The Fair.

Working at The Fair

At The Fair, we strive to produce the best possible experiences for the people we work with. Our team's expertise, bravery, and big-picture thinking are integral to our approach, but it's our mix of ambition, creativity, fun, and flair that really sets us apart.

Our team is our most valuable asset – we are a family, and we work hard to support each other's development. As a member of The Fair family, you will be supported with regular personal and professional development plans, team workshops and training, and access to the Future Learn training platform. We strive to grow and we want our team to grow with us.

During autumn and winter, the team plans festivals and attends industry events and networking. During festival season, they're onsite as part of the production crew: building, delivering, and de-rigging live events.

Benefits

• Hybrid working options (2 days per week from home, flexible hours)
• Holiday pay (additional holiday with years served) + birthday off with pay
• Health Shield membership (to claim back medical expenses)
• Option to join company share scheme after 3 years' service
• Company Cycle Scheme
• Discounted in-office gym membership
• Ongoing personal and professional development
• Access to workshops, training, and industry events
• Attendance at our portfolio of festivals and events

Job Specification

Reporting to:
Senior Production Director

We are looking for a new Production Manager to join our in-house production team. The role is based in Hoxton, London, with a requirement to work away from home for long periods, particularly over the summer.

This role would suit someone with a background in festival and outdoor live event production, looking to join a team with a family feel. You should be confident managing your own productions and client relationships across the corporate and independent festival/event sectors, as well as liaising with councils and suppliers.

You will report directly to the Senior Management Team and take responsibility for several projects.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Project Management

• Project lead across assigned festivals/events
• Client management and liaison – providing regular updates, managing expectations, and leading debriefs
• Presenting creative and site design ideas based on client briefs
• Drafting quotes for clients in collaboration with the senior team
• Preparing for, attending, and following up on SAG meetings, including presentations and council liaison
• Liaising with venue landowners and managing contracts

Financial Management

• Creating and maintaining client budgets (£500k–£2m)
• Managing invoices and credit notes
• Raising client invoices in line with payment plans and ensuring timely payments
• Final confirmation on procurement and supplier contracts
• Supplier negotiations and schedule development
• Tracking hours and project management via Harvest

Site & Technical Planning

• Site design and layout planning, with knowledge of H&S guidance and regulations
• Overseeing production and site infrastructure
• Creating accurate specifications for site infrastructure (fencing, toilets, power, trackway, plant, water, etc.)
• Procurement of suppliers and effective use of internal staff and freelancers
• Technical production management
• Wet/hot weather planning and contingencies
• Noise management and compliance

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Collaborating with H&S/Ops teams to ensure a holistic approach to show planning
• Producing (or assisting in producing) risk assessments and event safety management plans
• Drafting Event Management Safety Plans (with appendices split across Production/Safety/Ops as appropriate)

Scheduling & Coordination

• Production, crew, and plant schedule management
• Working with the Site Manager and crew to agree on provisions and roles onsite

Onsite Delivery

• Acting as the lead for production and infrastructure
• Site mark-out with the Site Manager and Production Coordinator
• Ensuring the schedule is delivered on time
• Leading daily HOD (Heads of Department) meetings
• Directing suppliers and ensuring correct equipment/setup locations
• Coordinating with the Site Manager to ensure crew tasks are completed
• Splitting site management duties with the Site Manager, ensuring they are briefed and able to stay on top of site-related requests
• Working with the Ops & Safety teams to ensure the smooth running of events
• Debriefing with suppliers, internal team members, and clients post-event
• Keeping and storing all logs and audit trails post-event

Person Specification

Essential:

• Excellent time management and attention to detail
• Experience in producing and delivering large-scale, live outdoor events/festivals
• Knowledge and passion for the events and festival industry
• Ability to manage supplier liaison on behalf of The Fair
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Full, clean driver's licence

Desirable:

• Technical production experience
• Proficiency in creating 2D CAD drawings
• Knowledge and experience in leading the SAG process

Application Process

The closing date for applications is
19/12/2025
, and interviews will take place during the week of
12/01/2026
.

Please apply by sending your CV and/or cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification to

with the subject title
Production Manager – The Fair application
.

Successful candidates will be invited for a 15-minute phone call to assess suitability, followed by a 45-minute interview in person or via Teams.

If you would like to speak to someone about the application process before applying, please email or call us on Applications via video or audio file will also be accepted and treated with equal consideration – please outline how you meet the person specification in your recording.

We will try our best to respond to every applicant, including those not invited for interview, and provide helpful feedback where possible.

Equal Opportunities

We strive to create the best possible experiences for everyone, and for everyone to feel valued and included. Our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our family – they are the magic behind the machine.

We are committed to equal opportunities and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of age, race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marriage, caring responsibilities, or pregnancy and maternity.

We welcome applications from deaf and disabled people. If you require reasonable adjustments to apply for the position or attend an interview, please let us know by calling or emailing

.

To help us ensure a fairer recruitment process, please complete the Equalities Form along with your application if you are happy to do so (this is not mandatory).