General Manager

Arts Council England; London Borough of Southwark; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Bill Kenwright Ltd is searching for an experienced General Manager to oversee administration, production delivery and budgeting across multiple shows, both in the UK and internationally. The role involves working with the producer’s office and departments to ensure smooth logistics from pre-production through to final performance.

You will coordinate casting, auditions and contracting, manage payroll and visas, monitor budgets and billing, and maintain production databases.

Qualifications

• Experience as a general manager or production assistant within theatre, UK or international.
• Strong budgeting, contracting, payroll delivery and administrative skills.
• Good negotiation, communication and IT literacy; awareness of industry union agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead administration and smooth delivery of shows from pre-production to final performance.
• Coordinate casting, auditions, availability checks, contracting and creative team engagement.
• Manage payrolls, budgets, P&L forecasts, and production events; liaise with union bodies and suppliers.

Skills

General management

Budgeting

Payroll

Contracting

Negotiation

Communication

Administration

Union knowledge

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

published - Tue, 29 Sep 2026 Bill Kenwright Ltd is looking to appoint an experienced and passionate General Manager to work across multiple productions, contributing creatively, delivering, and managing shows assigned to the role within the budget and schedules set, both across the UK and internationally.

Job Description

The role will provide a key function across a range of different existing and new theatre projects, working closely as a core part of the producer's office, and in co-ordination with all departments. The primary elements of the role are: To lead on the administration and delivery of both existing and forthcoming productions allocated to you, to ensure the smooth running and logistics of the production from initial production stages through to the final performance. The role will work closely with the producers on casting, auditioning and contracting performers, availability checks, creative team engagements. The general manager leads on the processing and
delivery of all elements of each production assigned ranging from budget monitoring and reporting, weekly payroll, visa applications and travel arrangements, collating programme information and checking billing, maintaining BKL databases, weekly payroll, facilitating ticket requests, first night, press night and gala night events. Being a key communication point for creative teams and Company Stage Managers on our productions, liaising on cast absences and covers, rehearsals and contingency plans, reporting and monitoring productions. To support the organisation of internal and external team meetings, taking minutes / meeting notes and distributing information to production creative teams, liaising with suppliers and subcontractors as required across the group operations.

Job Requirements

Experience as a general manager or production assistant within the theatre industry either in the UK or internationally. A strong understanding or experience
of producing shows in UK regions, West End and International Markets. Experience in casting, budgeting, contracting, payroll and production delivery. A solid foundation and understanding of industry union agreements. A strong and up-to-date knowledge of the industry, emerging trends and audience behaviour. Good attention to detail, excellent verbal and written communication skills, with good information technology, numeracy and administration skills. Proven understanding of commercial viability including budgeting and P&L. Able to work under pressure and to strict deadlines with strong time management skills. Excellent level of negotiating and influencing skills.

Job Responsibilities

Lead the administration and smooth delivery of shows from pre-production through to final performance, working closely with the Producers and all internal departments. Coordinate casting,
auditions, availability checks, contracting, creative team engagement, programme information, billing and production events. Manage production payrolls, expenditure approval, absences and holiday accruals with the Finance dept. Monitor budgets, running costs and P&L forecasts. Act as a key contact for Company Stage Managers, managing cover rehearsals, contingency planning and HR matters. Ensure compliance with union agreements, negotiate cast and creative team terms and manage royalty schedules. Coordinate meetings, suppliers, production records, databases and contracts. Support the delivery of opening and press night events. Oversee visas, work permits, travel accommodation and transport logistics for touring and international productions. Build relationships with creatives, performers, co-producers

Job Overview

Job Title: General ManagerSalary: 40k-50k