Production Manager

Bearded Kitten; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days paid holiday

Bank Holidays

Hybrid working: office Tue-Thu

Flexi-time policy

Overtime policy

Discretionary end of year bonus

Job summary

Bearded Kitten is seeking a Production Manager to coordinate medium to large scale projects across installations, live events, and brand activations. You will ensure efficient pre-production, safe delivery, and high-quality execution while working closely with our Head of Production and fabrication teams.

Ideal candidates bring extensive event production experience, strong budgeting skills, and proficiency in AutoCAD/Vectorworks/Sketchup.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering medium to large scale events.
• Proven budgeting and cost estimation experience.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD/Vectorworks/Sketchup.
• Strong client-facing communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Shape and manage all production elements from concept to delivery.
• Provide production specs and ROM costings for pitches and projects.
• Be client facing and justify production methodologies and costs.
• Oversee third-party/subcontractor deliverables and fabrication.
• Collaborate with fabrication on pricing and delivery of assets.
• Ensure projects meet H&S standards and write RAMs/method statements.
• Onsite production management during install, live events, and derig.
• Budget reconciliation with finance on project completion.

Skills

Event production

Team leadership

Budgeting

Client facing

Estimating

Vendor management

Travel willingness

Tools

AutoCAD/Vectorworks/Sketchup

Excel/Google Sheets

Google Workspace

Job description

THE COMPANY

Bearded Kitten is a global creative experience agency with a portfolio of award-winning work. Our mission is clear: to fearlessly champion fun and create the unforgettable. Don’t be deceived by our quirky name – Bearded Kitten is the real deal. From large scale brand experiences to cultural launch events, from building immersive worlds to conferences and employee engagement initiatives - we cover it all.

It’s an exciting time to be a Kitten, in the past year the company has grown rapidly and we’ve worked with some of the world’s biggest brands. With an ever growing client base across the UK and beyond - this is an opportunity to join a fast paced, innovative team.

THE ROLE

The Production Manager role is responsible for managing and coordinating medium to large scale projects for Bearded Kitten and Bearded Kitten Studios (the creative fabrication arm).

This role will be responsible for ensuring efficient, high-quality, and safe planning/pre-production of any installations, exhibitions, live events, and brand activations assigned by the Head of Production. The position calls for a technical professional with demonstrated experience in all aspects of production management including budget management, as well as someone who is enthusiastic, passionate, helpful, and supportive in all aspects of their work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Alongside producers and designers, shape and manage all elements of a production from concept to delivery.
• Provide production specifications and ROM costings for competitive pitches and/or new business leads, ensuring that they balance creative ambition with safe and practical delivery whilst offering value to clients.
• Be client facing at any time and be able to clearly articulate why proposed production methodologies are the best solution. Help provide justification on cost line items, and be willing to listen and collaborate with the client.
• Take responsibility for third party/subcontractor deliverables and ensure they are in accordance with the agreed specification - overseeing the fabrication/production of all items.
• Work closely with Bearded Kitten’s fabrication department to ensure the accurate pricing and smooth delivery of custom assets.
• Review preferred suppliers and identify possible new partners on a regular basis.
• Work with the producers to ascertain internal and external staffing requirements for assigned projects and support the wider team in contacting, booking and contracting freelancers - including local crew.
• Ensure projects are delivered to relevant H&S standards as well as writing RAMs, method statements, etc. as and when required.
• Onsite production management during install, live and derig of all assigned projects.
• Oversee financial control of production budgets. On project completion, work with producers and the finance department on budget reconciliation.
• Assist the director of production in the training and mentoring of junior production team members.
• Support the team where necessary by providing a strong working knowledge of scenic construction methods and associated materials.
• Due to the nature of the events industry, be willing and able to work unsociable hours and travel domestically/internationally as per the requirements of assigned projects.

THE PERSON

• Deeply passionate about the delivery of events, shows and installations to the highest standards.
• International experience in a wide range of events and installations.
• Significant experience managing teams and providing direction.
• Management experience of medium to large scale events in high profile locations.
• Proven supplier network with long term relationships in place.
• Excellent estimating and budgeting skills - with a working knowledge of Excel/Google Sheets and strong IT/computer skills (Bearded Kitten use Google Workspace).
• Broad understanding in the delivery of all elements of technical production.
• Strong working knowledge of scenic construction methods and associated materials.
• Proficient in AutoCAD/Vectorworks/Sketchup (one or more is essential) and generation/review of draft construction documents.
• Solid understanding of virtual/streaming events beneficial - but not essential.
• Able and willing to travel domestically and internationally.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

• 25 days paid holiday, plus Bank Holidays. 1 additional day added per year of service up to 5 days.
• Approximately five additional days off over the Christmas/New Year period.
• Hybrid working. Compulsory office days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• Flexi-time policy.
• Generous overtime policy.
• Discretionary end of year bonus scheme.
• New Business Incentive Scheme from day one.
• Employee Referral Incentive Policy from day one.
• Work mobile and/or eSim and work laptop.
• Employee assistance programme with free access to mental health resources.
• Enhanced maternity & paternity leave policy after 1 year of full service. 3 months full pay including statutory for lead carer or 1 month full pay including statutory for second carer.
• Monthly team socials, plus an annual team offsite with overnight stay.
• Free use of BK equipment; workshop, tools, rehearsal space etc for personal use.
• Season ticket loans offered.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Guaranteed hilarity and nonsense on a daily basis.