Freelance Set Builder

Inspired Thinking Group (ITG); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Smart Working up to 40% from home

Work abroad up to 90 days after 12+ mo

Pension scheme

Healthcare plan (Medicash)

Professional qualifications funding

Referral bonuses up to £1,500

Wellbeing workshops

Job summary

Inspired Thinking Group (ITG) is seeking a hands-on Studio Set Builder to lead freelance teams and craft studio sets for photography, film and content projects. You will interpret briefs, select materials, and build high-quality environments while maintaining safety standards in a fast-paced production setting.

You will also supervise onboarding of freelancers, manage workshop inventory, and collaborate with production, creative and studio teams to ensure on-time shoot delivery and cost

Qualifications

• Certified training in Panel Saw, Chop Saw and Rip Saw operation.
• Carpentry qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of workshop and construction health & safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead freelance set-build teams to deliver studio sets and prototypes on time, within budget and to brief.
• Construct full room sets for photography, film and content production projects.
• Carry out a range of practical build tasks including joinery, decorating, tiling, flooring installation, wallpaper hanging and furniture construction.
• Interpret creative briefs and translate concepts into high-quality, functional set builds.
• Select appropriate materials and advise on technical build solutions.
• Maintain and redecorate existing sets to support the studio shooting schedule.
• Efficiently dismantle and recycle sets following shoots.
• Manage workshop equipment, tools and materials, ensuring they are well maintained, compliant and fit for purpose.
• Maintain workshop inventory and monitor consumable spend to ensure cost efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with production, creative and studio teams to support successful shoot delivery.
• Provide regular progress updates to key stakeholders throughout the build process.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, training and supervision of freelance set builders.
• Ensure all freelancers are fully briefed and trained on workshop equipment and health & safety procedures.
• Champion exceptional health & safety standards across the workshop and studio environment.
• Conduct risk-aware working practices, identifying and addressing hazards proactively.
• Support maintenance activities across the studio through painting, decorating and general joinery work.
• Attend training courses as required and share knowledge with the wider team.
• Drive efficient use of materials, equipment and resources, promoting recycling and loss prevention wherever possible.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in set construction within photography, film, television, theatre or a related environment.
• Proven experience interpreting and delivering builds from creative briefs.
• Strong carpentry and joinery skills.
• Experience with plastering, painting, decorating and colour mixing.
• Experience creating and installing flooring, wall treatments and bespoke set features.
• Confident using a range of workshop and construction tools safely and effectively.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced production environment.
• Experience leading or coordinating freelance teams.

Skills

Carpentry & joinery

Team leadership

Communication

Health & safety

Education

Carpentry qualification or equivalent

Panel Saw / Chop Saw / Rip Saw training

Tools

Workshop tools

Joinery equipment

Job description

Join our studio production team and play a key role in bringing creative concepts to life. You’ll be responsible for building, maintaining and transforming photographic and film sets, working closely with creative, production and studio teams to deliver exceptional environments for shoots. This is a hands‑on role that combines craftsmanship, creativity and technical expertise in a fast‑paced studio environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead freelance set-build teams to deliver studio sets and prototypes on time, within budget and to brief.
• Construct full room sets for photography, film and content production projects.
• Carry out a range of practical build tasks including joinery, decorating, tiling, flooring installation, wallpaper hanging and furniture construction.
• Interpret creative briefs and translate concepts into high-quality, functional set builds.
• Select appropriate materials and advise on technical build solutions.
• Maintain and redecorate existing sets to support the studio shooting schedule.
• Efficiently dismantle and recycle sets following shoots.
• Manage workshop equipment, tools and materials, ensuring they are well maintained, compliant and fit for purpose.
• Maintain workshop inventory and monitor consumable spend to ensure cost efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with production, creative and studio teams to support successful shoot delivery.
• Provide regular progress updates to key stakeholders throughout the build process.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, training and supervision of freelance set builders.
• Ensure all freelancers are fully briefed and trained on workshop equipment and health & safety procedures.
• Champion exceptional health & safety standards across the workshop and studio environment.
• Conduct risk-aware working practices, identifying and addressing hazards proactively.
• Support maintenance activities across the studio through painting, decorating and general joinery work.
• Attend training courses as required and share knowledge with the wider team.
• Drive efficient use of materials, equipment and resources, promoting recycling and loss prevention wherever possible.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in set construction within photography, film, television, theatre or a related environment.
• Proven experience interpreting and delivering builds from creative briefs.
• Strong carpentry and joinery skills.
• Experience with plastering, painting, decorating and colour mixing.
• Experience creating and installing flooring, wall treatments and bespoke set features.
• Confident using a range of workshop and construction tools safely and effectively.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced production environment.
• Experience leading or coordinating freelance teams.

Essential Qualifications

• Certified training in Panel Saw, Chop Saw and Rip Saw operation.
• Carpentry qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of workshop and construction health & safety procedures.

Perks at ITG - alongside a competitive salary, here’s what you can look forward to:

• Time off that works for you - 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays, a paid Wellbeing Day, flexible bank holidays to honour cultural or religious observances, and the option to buy or carry over up to 5 extra days.
• Flexibility & lifestyle - Smart Working with up to 40% from home, and after 12 months, the option to work from abroad for up to 90 days a year.
• Family & life milestones - Enhanced family friendly leave, 3 extra days for your wedding/honeymoon, and an Employee Assistance Programme whenever you need support.
• Financial perks - Pension scheme, Corporate Medical Cash Plan, electric car salary sacrifice scheme, and tax-efficient payroll giving to your favourite charities.
• Growth & recognition - Funding for professional qualifications, monthly Employee of the Month awards (£250 bonus), and referral bonuses of up to £1,500.
• Community & wellbeing - Regular Wellbeing Workshops, 30+ Wellbeing Champions, a paid Volunteer Day, and an online perks platform with discounts on top brands, days out, and gym memberships.

We Value Diversity

We champion and welcome diversity in our workforce and ensure all job applicants receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

We are not only committed to increasing the visibility and recognition of talent from under-represented groups within our organisation, but the wider industry too.

At the end of the day, we make sure we take time to look after ourselves, each other, and the planet, because we’re always stronger together.

ITG have a number of community groups available to employees and exist to offer a safe space for like-minded colleagues, with shared interests to connect, socialise and check in with each other.