Manager, Sea Production

RWS Entertainment Group; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Company Pension

25 days paid holiday

Paid parental leave

Computer (Mac/Windows)

Company Phone Allowance

Flexible working (office/remote)

Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Prog

Childcare Support Policy

Employer Sponsored Vision Programme

Job summary

RWS Global seeks a Manager of Sea Production to lead onboard entertainment production for cruise line clients. You will oversee production management, installation, and ongoing operations while preserving creative vision and operational excellence.

You will coordinate with creative, casting, technical, rehearsal, and shipboard teams across time zones, driving consistency and innovation. The role involves travel and supporting multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• A BFA/BA degree in Theatrical Production, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years in the entertainment/theatre or live entertainment industry.
• Minimum of 2 years in a management position.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Excel and MS Office applications.
• Flexible schedule allowing for approximately 35% international travel.
• Immersive, musical-theater or music venue experience.
• Theatrical admin experience (stage management, production management, general management).
• Cruise ship and/or theme park experience is a plus.
• Valid passport for travel anticipated in this role.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic production and project management for mainstage products and installations.
• Act as the main production contact for onboard entertainment teams.
• Coordinate rehearsals, wardrobe fittings, and cast onboarding meetings.
• Respond to rehearsal and voyage reports and maintain production calendars.
• Liaise with clients to meet all timelines and manage changeover budgets.
• Oversee in-studio and onboard product changeovers and studio needs.
• Attend onboard changeovers/installs as required and document production books.
• Support day-to-day production needs and maintenance of studio gear.
• Communicate with talent during rehearsals and onboard life.
• Lead talent onboarding sessions and ensure policy compliance.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Excel proficiency

Education

BFA/BA in Theatrical Production

Tools

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Manager, Sea Production

Reports To: Director, Sea Production

Working Hours: 9:30 to 17:30 Monday - Thursday,9:30 to 17:00 Friday

ABOUT RWS GLOBAL

RWS Global is the world leader in groundbreaking live moments across entertainment and sports, creating customized guest experiences spanning theatrical productions, live events, immersive destinations, multimedia, consumer products and more.

RWS Global is headquartered in New York, London, Cincinnati, Shanghai, Orlando and Sydney with dedicated RWS Studios in NYC and the UK to serve its vast talent pipeline and client base. With a focus on entertainment and sports experiences, RWS Global serves major brands and corporations, theaters, cruise lines, sports properties, live venues, parks, resorts and more. Offering end-to-end services from ideation to operations, RWS Global’s team of world-class designers, creators, producers and visionary talent provide unrivaled scale, producing over one million live moments every day and employing over 8,000 individuals and performers worldwide.

The RWS Global roster of clients includes Apple, Azamara, The Coca-Cola Company, Commonwealth Games, Crayola, Europa-Park Resort, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, The FRIENDS™ Experience by Original X Productions, Hard Rock Resorts, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Holland America Line, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, International Cricket Council, Invictus Games, Lionsgate, MSC Cruises, Roompot, Rugby World Cup, Six Flags, Space Center Houston, TUI Group, Vera Wang, Warner Bros., Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, Chicago the Musical, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes and more. For more information, visit rwsglobal.com.

ROLE SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Sea Production, the Manager of Sea Production is responsible for leading the production and project management of RWS-produced onboard entertainment offerings for our cruise line clients. This role oversees the successful execution, installation and ongoing operational support of entertainment products, ensuring each production maintains its original creative vision, artistic integrity and operational excellence.

The Manager of Sea Production serves as a key liaison between creative, casting, technical, rehearsal and shipboard teams, ensuring alignment with both RWS Global and client brand standards. This position is responsible for driving consistency, innovation and continuous improvement across rehearsal, installation and operational processes while maintaining an exceptional experience for performers, technicians, clients and guests.

As part of a global Sea Production team, this role requires collaboration across multiple time zones, frequent international travel and the ability to support multiple clients and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing holistic production and project management for mainstage products (workflow management, studio logistics, materials management, transportation logistics, talent onboarding support, product install and changeover, etc)
• Acting as the main production contact for the onboard entertainment team. Assisting and troubleshooting as needed
• Creating and coordinating rehearsal schedules, wardrobe fittings, and cast onboarding meetings
• Actioning and responding to all rehearsal and voyage reports
• Creating production calendars for installs and changeovers. Liaising with the client to ensure all timelines are met
• Managing all changeover budgets
• Handling all in studio and onboard product changeovers as assigned, assisting with studio needs as necessary (tape-outs, set-up, etc)
• Running and attending onboard changeovers/installs as needed
• Documenting and updating all 'production books'. Provide necessary information for the client deliverables
• Handling or delegating all day-to-day production needs
• Supporting or leading maintenance/set-up of studio gear including sound systems, IEM's, backline, scenic pieces, props, etc.
• Providing talent communication during rehearsals and while onboard
• Hosting talent onboarding meetings (Welcome, Life Onboard, Travel)
• Ensuring all internal and external stakeholders are following the policies set by the Account Lead
• Traveling to ships as necessary

Please Note

While this is intended to be an accurate description of the job, this is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the position, and may require that other or different tasks be performed as necessary and assigned.

Qualifications

• A BFA/BA degree in Theatrical Production, Musical Production,or equivalent professional experience
• 5+ years of experience in the entertainment industry working in theatre, performance venues, or live entertainment settings (ideally with specific experience on cruise ships)
• A minimum of 2 years in a management position, preferably within an entertainment setting.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Must be proficient in Excel and MS Office applications
• A flexible schedule allowing for approximately 35% international travel
• Motivation, dedication, passion, integrity, collaboration, and self-direction
• Immersive, Musical-theater or Music Venue experience
• Understanding of classical, rock/pop, and jazz music
• Theatrical admin experience (stage management, production management, general management)
• Cruise ship and/or Theme Park experience. (Not mandatory but a plus)
• A valid passport for the duration of employment for all travel-related roles.

Company Benefits:

• Competitive Salary
• Company Pension
• 25 days paid holiday excluding Bank Holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Computer (Mac/Windows)
• Company Phone Allowance
• Flexible working (office/remote)
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
• Childcare Support Policy
• Employer Sponsored Vision Programme

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT:

DIVERSE IS WHO WE ARE

Way more than a box to check, diversity is core to RWS Global culture. We value it, promote it, protect it and hire it. All differences are welcome here. We know for a fact that each employee’s individual background, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, and capabilities are a contribution to our culture, as well as our reputation and achievements.

So, bring all of who you are, no questions asked