Live Production Director

We are seeking an experienced Production Director specializing in Live Experiences to join our fast-paced, innovative team. You will work with a diverse portfolio of high-profile clients across Sport, Music, and Entertainment sectors, overseeing the delivery of world-class projects.

As the Production Director, you will play a critical leadership role, driving the successful execution of live events and installations, from concept through to implementation. Your focus will be on strategic project management, ensuring flawless delivery, adherence to tight deadlines, and strict budget management while upholding the highest standards of creativity and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert production leadership: Guide internal teams to meet and exceed client goals and objectives with a strategic, balanced, and positive approach.
• Ensure excellence in all live production activities: Maintain the highest standards of quality, creativity, and execution across all aspects of live production.
• Understand client brands deeply: Gain a thorough understanding of each client’s business, brand, and communication objectives to ensure all production efforts are fully aligned with their vision.
• Challenge, interpret, and elevate client briefs: Take client briefs, ask the right questions, and deliver innovative, fresh event concepts and production techniques that push creative boundaries.
• Build and manage production budgets: Develop accurate cost estimates and production budgets. Collaborate with account teams to track and regularly report project progress, ensuring financial control throughout the project lifecycle.
• Source and manage third-party suppliers: Identify, negotiate, and coordinate multiple third-party suppliers, event partners, and freelance producers while adhering to the agency’s supplier engagement protocols.
• Develop and execute production timelines: Work with cross-functional teams to create detailed production timelines, ensuring milestones are met and deadlines are adhered to throughout the project.
• Collaborate with internal teams: Work closely with account management, creative, and design teams to develop and communicate comprehensive project plans, including budgeting, venue selection, and logistics planning.
• Ensure compliance and documentation: Lead internal compliance processes by preparing essential production documentation (schedules, handbooks, insurance, RAMS, etc.) in collaboration with legal counsel.
• Oversee onsite production management: Manage all onsite operations, coordinating teams and suppliers to ensure seamless execution during live events.

You could be the candidate if:

• You thrive on the details but never lose sight of the bigger picture, balancing precision with overall project vision.
• You inspire and uplift those around you, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone can succeed and grow.
• You are a clear and effective communicator, adept at presenting ideas, setting expectations, and ensuring relevant internal and external stakeholders are aligned.
• You love solving complex problems, approaching challenges with a creative and resourceful mindset to deliver innovative solutions.
• You think on your feet and take initiative, adapting quickly to new information and changing circumstances while continuously learning.
• You manage multiple projects effortlessly, enjoying the challenge of working on diverse initiatives simultaneously.
• You’re a natural relationship builder, establishing rapport with people at all levels of an organization.
• You collaborate across disciplines and with various stakeholders, including departments and clients’ additional agency partners.
• You have a passion for new business and pitching, with the ability to lead and inspire during the process.
• You stay calm under pressure, maintaining a level-headed and patient approach in high-stakes situations.
• You have a passion for sports and entertainment, with knowledge of the motorsport landscape being a bonus.
• You maintain a sense of humor, bringing positivity and fun to your work environment.
• You enjoy global travel, embracing opportunities to work in different parts of the world.
• You are experienced in HSSE management, with strong skills in writing and interrogating Risk Assessments and Event Safety Management Plans.

You will also need to have:

• 5+ years of related experience in an agency environment.
• 3+ years of proven experience as a Production Director/Senior Producer.
• 2+ years of managerial-level experience.

It’s not essential but will really help if:

• You are fluent in additional languages, particularly German, French, Spanish, or Italian, as this will enhance your ability to collaborate on international projects.
• You have a Health and Safety qualification or certification, such as Managing Safely, IOSH, or NEBOSH.
• You have experience working within ISO 45001 standards, ensuring compliance with global health and safety regulations in live event environments.

BENEFITS

We’re pleased to offer a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to the following:

• Core benefits (available from start date) – flexible holiday allowance, AXA private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexible benefits (available after probation) – Gymflex, dental insurance, travel insurance, health cash plan, Cycleshceme, interest-free season ticket loans
• A Flexible Workplace – we have a number of initiatives in place to ensure that our team have the flexibility to balance work with their lives, this includes flexible holiday and flexible working options.
• We also run a number of internal programmes to support physical and mental wellbeing, alongside learning and development opportunities to support career development and progression.

WHO YOU’LL BE JOINING

Recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in Sports”, Octagon is the global sports, entertainment, and experiential marketing arm of the Interpublic Group.

We take pride in being Playmakers – finding insightful, bold ways to create play in our work, our lives, and in the world. We believe in the power of play to create big ideas and unlock potential for our clients and talent.

We can put ourselves in the shoes of fans because we ARE fans – of sports, entertainment, and culture at large. This expertise allows us to continually evolve the fan experience across sports and entertainment alongside some of the biggest brands and talent in the world.

The world needs play more than ever. Are you a Playmaker?

ABOUT US

Octagon is a global creative agency in sports, entertainment and culture.

We’re part of a wider family of agencies – the Octagon R&CPMK – a group of specialist agencies working with brands, athletes, and celebrities. Group agencies include Futures Sport & Entertainment, FRUKT and No2ndPlace. We’re all part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), one of the world’s most respected advertising networks.

Founded in 1982 with over 800 employees around the globe. Our Headquarters is in Stamford, Connecticut with further offices around the world including: New York, LA, Miami, McLean, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg, Sydney, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Manchester.

We believe that great brands own an idea in the minds of their audience. For Apple, it’s creativity. For Nike, it’s performance. For BMW it’s Joy. For Coca-Cola, it’s happiness. For Mastercard, it’s priceless experiences.

We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.