Senior Production Manager

Imagination

Greater London

On-site

GBP 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (3 office days)

Private medical insurance

Life insurance 4x salary

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Imagination is a world-leading experience design company based in London. We are seeking a Senior Production Manager to lead on-site and office delivery of technical and production requirements for a range of live events and exhibitions.

You will report to the Head of Live Production and oversee budgets, schedules, and safety, while developing innovative technical solutions and mentoring junior staff. The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and delivering high-quality experiences.

Qualifications

Experience managing live events and exhibitions.
Strong budgeting and negotiation skills for large-scale projects.
Ability to manage multiple trades and suppliers.
Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations in international contexts.
Experience leading teams on major delivery projects.

Responsibilities

Review client briefs with Account Management & Creative Teams.
Deliver projects on budget and on time to high standards.
Develop and manage production budgets and supplier pricing.
Schedule trades across pre-production and delivery phases.
Create overall project time plans with cross-functional teams.
Present budgets and proposals in client meetings.
Visit venues and manage site operations.
Maintain relationships with suppliers and explore innovative solutions.
Oversee technical and manufacturing trades during event delivery.
Ensure profitable business practices and asset management.
Oversee Health and Safety with the HSE Manager.
Deliver technical and fabricated elements and maintain ISO 9001 files.
Mentor junior staff and capture value feedback.

Skills

Budgeting

Stakes & timelines

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Health & safety standards

Client liaison

Vendor management

Project scheduling

Technical understanding

Communication

Tools

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Production Manager

Application Deadline: 14 September 2026

Department: Live Production - Production

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: David Spiers

Description

Imagination is a world-leading experience design company founded on the principle of independent creativity. We create experiences that change the status quo, from strategy through to delivery.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Production Manager to join our Live Production department. You will work to provide office and on-site management at a senior level for the delivery of technical and production requirements, for a wide range of sometimes complex live events and exhibitions.

Reporting into the Head of Live Production, your curiosity will help us research and develop innovative technical solutions, whilst your rigorous attention to detail will be important in making sure budgets, schedules and safety risks are managed accurately.

Key Responsibilities

Review of client brief and assessment of the requirements with Account Management & Creative Teams
Ensure projects are delivered on budget and on time to the highest standards
Develop production budget
Budgeting of projects ensuring best value pricing, negotiating with suppliers and making suitable contractor selection
Scheduling of all trades throughout pre production and delivery phases
Produce overall project time plan with Account Management & Creative Teams
Present budgets and project proposals in client meetings
Present solutions to production challenges in client meetings
Liaise with venues and carry out site visits as appropriate
Developing and maintaining relationships with suppliers and ensuring new and innovative products and services are introduced
Management of all technical and manufacturing trades throughout event process
Maintaining profitable business practices
Manage client owned assets and make recommendations for storage, refurbishment and disposal
Manage Health and Safety on all projects in conjunction with the Imagination Health and Safety Manager
Delivery of all technical and fabricated elements as well as opening and maintaining ISO 9001 files
Manage larger exhibitions & events and support on major projects
Mentor junior production staff, offering guidance, support and advice with their development
Record and document 'Value Add' and compile feedback from suppliers for internal feedback and client debrief

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Agency experience working across a wide range of projects from live shows and touring activations, to virtual experiences.
Solid understanding of technical staging, Audio Visual and exhibition construction processes
Confident and experienced with budgeting and negotiating on large scale projects
Working knowledge of international Health and Safety regulations
Confident managing programmes of work, rather than one-off projects
Flexible and adaptable to new challenges and requirements
Excellent communication with clients and other departments / colleagues
Able to contribute to and and support revenue generation activities
International experience, working in new and developing regions
Management of more junior team members where relevant, which may include leading a bigger delivery team on a large event
Confident upholding Imagination standards, within Imagination production framework. Able to develop/negotiate new supplier relationships
Experience with Microsoft Office suite of programs Ability to understand and interpret technical drawings
A basic understanding of AutoCad and/or Vectorworks would be an advantage

Job Benefits

What we can offer you:

Work with a state-of-the-art product and deliver it to exciting and innovative brands.
Learning and development opportunities that contribute to professional growth.

Wellness