Budget Producer

Talent Blueprint FZ LLC; Dubai; On-site; AED 166,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Blueprint FZ LLC is seeking an experienced Freelance Budget Producer to join the Experiential Department in Dubai. You will own financial planning, budgeting and cost control for multiple event projects from concept to reconciliation.

The role requires advanced Excel, strong knowledge of event production costs, supplier quotations, and margin management to ensure projects stay financially on track while preserving creative quality.

Qualifications

• Advanced Excel skills with complex formulas, lookups and pivot tables.
• Experience budgeting and tracking large-scale events and live experiences.
• Strong understanding of UAE VAT and agency margins.

Responsibilities

• Translate creative concepts into detailed budgets line-by-line.
• Maintain and update budgets for pitches and approved projects.
• Monitor costs and margins through project lifecycle and reconcile invoices.
• Prepare final project reconciliations and report variances.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial modelling

Budgeting

Cost control

Forecasting

Margin management

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title: Budget Producer

Location: Dubai Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Duration: Immediate start until 31 January 2027 (Project Based)

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly detail-oriented Freelance Budget Producer to join the Experiential Department of a creative agency specialising in immersive brand experiences, interactive installations and creative technology. Reporting to the Head of Experiential, you will take ownership of the financial planning, budgeting and cost control of multiple event and experiential projects, from initial creative concepts and client pitches through to project delivery and final reconciliation. You will translate creative briefs, production requirements and supplier quotations into accurate, structured budgets, ensuring costs are closely monitored, agency margins are protected and projects remain financially on track throughout their lifecycle. Advanced Excel skills are essential for this role, alongside a strong understanding of event production costs, supplier quotations, financial forecasting and margin management.

Budgeting & Estimating

• Translate creative concepts, briefs and production requirements into detailed, line‑by‑line project budgets.
• Build, maintain and update budgets for client pitches, approved projects and budget revisions.
• Prepare cost estimates and alternative budget scenarios to align creative ambitions with client budgets.
• Identify value‑engineering opportunities without compromising the creative vision or quality of delivery.

Supplier Cost Analysis

• Review and analyse supplier quotations across event production, fabrication, staging, AV, lighting, LED, rigging, F&B, hospitality, guest management, logistics, talent and other event‑related services.
• Compare and benchmark supplier quotations on a like‑for‑like basis, identifying discrepancies, missing items, hidden costs and pricing inconsistencies.
• Highlight potential cost risks and discrepancies to the Head of Experiential and project teams.
• Develop and maintain cost benchmarks based on previous projects, supplier rates and market pricing.

Cost Control & Margin Management

• Prepare client‑facing budgets, ensuring agency fees, mark‑ups and margins are accurately reflected.
• Monitor approved client budgets, actual supplier costs and client invoicing throughout the project lifecycle.
• Track scope changes, additional requirements and cost variations, maintaining clear budget versions and change records.
• Identify budget variances and potential margin erosion early, preparing revised budgets and change requests where required.
• Support financial forecasting and ensure projects remain commercially viable.

Project Delivery & Financial Reconciliation

• Maintain live cost trackers throughout event build, show days and de‑rig, capturing additional costs, overtime and on‑site changes.
• Track purchase orders and approval processes in coordination with the Head of Experiential and Finance team.
• Review and reconcile supplier invoices against approved quotations and purchase orders.
• Prepare final project reconciliations, comparing initial budgets against actual costs and reporting on final margins and variances.

Collaboration

• Work closely with the Head of Experiential, project managers, creative, technical and finance teams.
• Participate in internal and client meetings where required to support budget planning, cost reviews and financial reporting.

Required Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are a must, including complex formulas, lookups, pivot tables, financial modelling, scenario analysis and budget trackers.
• Strong understanding of project costing, agency margins, mark‑ups, agency fees and UAE VAT.
• Excellent financial analysis skills, with the ability to review, compare and challenge supplier quotations.
• Highly organised, analytical and detail‑oriented, with a strong focus on accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Additional Advantages

• Knowledge of UAE event market rates and supplier pricing benchmarks.
• Technical understanding of event production, including staging, AV, LED, lighting, rigging, fabrication and materials.
• Ability to interpret technical quotations, production specifications, riders and drawings.
• Experience translating creative concepts into commercially viable production budgets.

Experience Requirement

• Minimum 5 years of experience within an event, experiential agency or event production company.
• At least 3 years in a Budget Producer, Cost Controller, Estimator or similar commercial budgeting role.
• Proven experience budgeting and financially tracking large‑scale events, brand activations, product launches, conferences and live experiences.
• Strong understanding of event production processes and associated supplier costs.
• UAE / GCC event industry experience is highly advantageous.

Location / Work Mode

Dubai, UAE