Production Manager

Bearded Kitten; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days paid holiday

Bank Holidays

Hybrid working

Flexi-time policy

Overtime policy

End of year bonus

New Business Incentive Scheme

Employee Referral Incentive Policy

Work mobile/eSim and laptop

Mental health resources

Enhanced parental leave

Job summary

Bearded Kitten, a global creative experience agency, is seeking a Production Manager to oversee medium to large scale projects for Bearded Kitten and Bearded Kitten Studios. You will plan pre-production, ensure safety, quality, and on-budget delivery, and collaborate with producers, designers, and suppliers.

The role requires a technical professional with budget management experience, strong leadership, and a proactive, client-facing approach.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of medium to large event teams.
• Experience delivering events in high-profile locations.
• Strong budgeting and estimating skills with Excel/Sheets.
• Proficient in AutoCAD/Vectorworks/Sketchup.
• Experience coordinating with fabrication and production suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Shape and manage all production elements from concept to delivery.
• Provide production specifications and ROM costings for pitches and new business leads.
• Be client facing and justify production methodologies and costs.
• Oversee third-party/subcontractor deliverables and fabrication.
• Coordinate with fabrication department on pricing and delivery of assets.
• Assist staffing and freelancer contracting for projects.
• Ensure H&S RAMs and method statements are produced as required.
• Onsite management during install, live events, and derig.
• Oversee project budgets and reconciliation with finance.
• Mentor junior production team members.

Skills

Event production management

Team leadership

Budgeting

Client facing

Estimating

Travel planning

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 (the creative experience agency) 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.