Opportunities at Brighten The Corners

Festival Production Manager

Job Summary

Brighten The Corners is seeking an experienced and dynamic Festival Production Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of all production aspects of our multi-venue music festival on Friday 13th & Saturday 14th June 2025. The successful candidate will ensure seamless delivery across six venues and additional festival areas, providing an exceptional experience for artists, audiences, and staff.

This key role encompasses all aspects of production, including sound, lighting, staging, and venue operations, ensuring the festival is executed to the highest standards. You will oversee production schedules, manage budgets, and coordinate with venue teams, suppliers, and freelance crews to deliver a seamless and inclusive event.

Collaboration is central to this role. You will work closely with the Festival Director, technical teams, and programming staff to align artist requirements with festival logistics. Acting as the main point of contact for production, you will ensure health and safety compliance across all venues and lead the onsite team during the festival.

This is a unique opportunity to shape an inclusive cultural event that enhances Ipswich’s creative landscape. If you have a proven track record in live event production, exceptional organisational skills, and a commitment to excellence, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Title: Festival Production Manager
Reports To: Festival Director
Location: Office based, Ipswich, Suffolk 
Contract Type: Fixed-term (dates to be confirmed, including pre-festival planning and post-festival wrap-up)
Salary: Part Time £17.50 per hour, average 20 hours per week for 22 weeks (£31,850 pro-rata). Weighted towards more hours nearer and during the festival. 

Key Responsibilities

Production Management

  • Lead on all technical and production aspects of the festival, including sound, lighting, staging, and logistics.

  • Collaborate with venue teams and technical staff to ensure each space is set up to meet festival requirements.

  • Develop and manage the festival’s production schedule, ensuring key milestones are met.

  • Oversee the setup, operation, and de-rigging of all festival venues and sites.

  • Ensure all venues comply with health and safety regulations, including risk assessments and licensing requirements.

Budgeting and Resource Management

  • Manage the festival production budget, ensuring cost-efficiency while maintaining high-quality standards.

  • Source, negotiate, and coordinate with suppliers for technical equipment, staging, and other production needs.

  • Recruit, induct, and oversee production crew, including freelance technicians and volunteers.

Collaboration and Communication

  • Work closely with the Festival Director, technical manager and programming team to ensure smooth integration of artist requirements and schedules.

  • On the day, act as the main point of contact for production-related queries from venues, artists, and partners.

  • Coordinate with other festival teams, including marketing, volunteer management, and accessibility teams, to deliver a cohesive event.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

  • Ensure all production activities adhere to industry standards and legal requirements.

  • Implement and monitor health and safety protocols, including managing crowd control measures and emergency plans.

  • Act as the onsite health and safety lead during the festival period.

Post-Festival Evaluation

  • Oversee the debrief and evaluation of production operations, identifying areas for improvement.

  • Provide detailed post-festival reporting, including budget reconciliation and technical feedback.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Proven experience in production management for live events, ideally in a multi-venue festival setting.

  • Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

  • Experience in managing budgets and negotiating with suppliers.

  • Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage and motivate teams.

  • Secure knowledge of health and safety regulations and other legal aspects relevant to live events.

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

  • Full driving licence and own transport required 

Desirable

  • Experience working in the music industry or arts and culture sector.

  • Strong technical knowledge of live sound, lighting, and stage production.

  • Familiarity with Ipswich venues and the local creative community.

  • First aid and health and safety certification.

Additional Information

  • The role requires flexibility, including availability for evening and weekend work leading up to and during the festival.

  • The Festival Production Manager will play a key role in delivering an inclusive and accessible festival experience for all.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are interested in the role to production@brightenthecorners.co.uk by 5pm on Monday 27th January 2025.

Brighten The Corners Festival is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in the arts and culture sector.

Interviews from Monday 3rd February with the role to start on Monday 10th February.