Production Manager

Smart Response Media Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartResponse Media in London is seeking an experienced Production Manager to coordinate the day-to-day production workflow, manage briefs, budgets and schedules, and oversee post-production deliverables for TV advertising campaigns.

The role blends production operations with creative input, requiring strong organisation, attention to detail and the ability to work closely with the Creative Director and editorial teams. Flexible or reduced hours may be considered for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Five+ years' experience in television, advertising or production.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple projects and budgets.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with creative and production teams.

Responsibilities

• Production Management: own day-to-day production workflow, coordinate diaries, editors and resources to meet deadlines.
• Project Planning: manage briefs, budgets, timelines and schedules with accurate project data.
• Clearcast & Compliance: ensure scripts and edits meet broadcast requirements and approvals.
• Creative Development: contribute ideas and development with the Creative Director and team.
• Pre-production: plan shoots, locations, cast, crew and logistics.
• Post-production: coordinate editors, review edits and delivery schedules for client approval.

Job description

SmartResponse Media | London – Predominantly Office-based Salary: Dependent on experience and working arrangements Working arrangements: Full-time, flexible or reduced hours considered.

About SmartResponse

SmartResponse is an independent, full-service Direct Response Television (DRTV) agency specialising in TV creative and production, media planning and buying, and campaign analysis for a diverse range of clients.

The Role

This is a varied, hands-on role combining the day-to-day coordination of our production department with active involvement in creative development and the delivery of TV advertising projects.

You will take responsibility for ensuring productions are properly planned, resourced and progressing to schedule, while also contributing to scripts, storyboards, pre-production planning, shoots and post-production.

We are looking for someone who can confidently manage the production workflow, take ownership of individual projects and help maintain the creative and operational standards of our output.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Management: Take ownership of the day-to-day production workflow, coordinating diaries, editors, crew and resources, ensuring every project has clear responsibilities, accurate timelines and agreed deadlines, with progress monitored through to delivery.
• Project Planning: Prepare and manage production briefs, budgets, timelines and schedules, maintaining accurate project information and ensuring productions progress efficiently from initial brief through to final delivery.
• Clearcast & Compliance: Manage script and edit submissions, substantiation, feedback and approvals, ensuring content meets broadcast requirements, campaign details are accurate and transmission deadlines are achieved.
• Creative Development: Work alongside the Creative Director and production team on concepts, scripts, storyboards and treatments, contributing ideas, developing creative from client briefs and proactively identifying opportunities to improve existing campaigns.
• Pre-production: Plan and coordinate shoots, including casting, locations, crew, suppliers, call sheets, logistics and production documentation, attending shoots where required.
• Post-production: Brief and coordinate editors, review edits, collate client feedback, manage amendments and oversee delivery schedules, ensuring creative is accurate and ready for client approval and broadcast.
• Client Liaison: Communicate with clients throughout the production process, managing expectations, approvals and project requirements, while working closely with the wider account management team.
• Production Administration: Maintain organised project files and documentation, including briefs, budgets, schedules, contributor releases, music and voiceover licensing, permissions and relevant production records.
• Workflow Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency, resource planning, processes and creative output across the department.

About You

You will have at least five years' relevant experience within television, advertising, creative production, branded content or a production agency.

You should be highly organised, proactive and confident managing multiple projects, budgets, schedules and resources across a busy production environment.

Strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail and good creative judgement are essential, alongside the ability to contribute to scripts, review edits and work collaboratively with creative and production teams.

Experience in TV advertising, DRTV, Clearcast and broadcast compliance would be advantageous. We welcome applicants from both Production Management and Producer backgrounds, particularly those who can demonstrate strong organisational skills alongside hands-on experience in creative development and production.

A full UK driving licence and access to a car are required, together with flexibility to attend shoots and production locations.

Working Arrangements

This is a predominantly office-based role, and we are looking for someone who can work collaboratively with our London team for the majority of the working week.

We offer flexibility around working hours and are open to discussing full-time, four-day weeks or reduced-hours arrangements for the right candidate. We understand that experienced professionals may require flexibility around start and finish times, and we're happy to consider arrangements that work for both the individual and the business.

The successful candidate will need to be proactive, organised and able to accommodate the occasional demands of production, including shoots, client meetings and key delivery deadlines.

Contract & Remuneration

We are open to freelance, fixed-term contract or permanent employment, depending on the candidate's experience, availability and preferred working arrangements.

We are looking for someone who can join us in the near future, with the potential for a longer-term permanent position as our production requirements develop.

Salary or freelance day rate will be dependent on experience and the nature of the engagement. Applicants are invited to indicate their salary or day-rate expectations, availability and preferred working arrangement when applying.