Events Production Manager, FRAME

Frieze; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Frieze, a leading name in the art world, is seeking a Production Manager to oversee client event production, ensuring high standards across activations. This role requires extensive experience in luxury brand activations and managing production schedules, along with strong negotiation and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years as a Production Manager in luxury brand activations.
• Experience managing production schedules, budgets, and projects.
• Understanding of event production disciplines and legal obligations.

Responsibilities

• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables with clients.
• Manage resources and ensure quality in production.
• Support new business pitches with feasibility studies.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Organizational

Time Management

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant fields

Health & Safety qualification (e.g., IOSH)

Job description

Frieze is the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art, dedicated to artists, galleries, collectors, and art lovers alike. It comprises three magazines – frieze, Frieze Masters Magazine, and Frieze Week – and seven international art fairs – Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Frieze New York, Frieze Los Angeles, Frieze Seoul, The Armory Show, and EXPO Chicago. Legacy art fair brands The Armory Show and EXPO Chicago were acquired by Frieze in September 2023. In October 2021, Frieze launched No.9 Cork Street, a permanent space for visiting international galleries in Mayfair, London.

Frieze believes art is vital to communities and cultures, bringing together galleries, artists, institutions, and art lovers worldwide to make art flourish.

Frieze is part of the IMG network, a global leader in sports, fashion, events, and media, and a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports, and content company.

About the Frieze Production Department

The Production team is responsible for delivering all physical elements of the fairs, ensuring safety, timeliness, and success. Based in London, the team has two subsets, each led by a Head of Department:

Exhibitor Production– focuses on production elements related to exhibitors, including booth builds, artwork installation, technical support, drafting, floor planning, art shipping logistics, Frieze Sculpture management, production schedules, and Health & Safety.

Fair Production– covers tent builds, infrastructure, F&B, contract management, partnership lounge support, non-gallery builds, fair design, site infrastructure, security, cleaning, contractor management, production schedules, and Health & Safety.

Frieze FRAME is a new, stand-alone department acting as in-house production agency, primarily selling services to sponsors for brand activations at Frieze Fairs.

The Production Manager role is key, overseeing client event production to ensure high standards across activations.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables with clients and stakeholders
• Develop project plans with milestones, resources, and budgets
• Manage resources, tasks, and progress, adjusting as needed
• Support new business pitches with feasibility studies and proposals
• Advise on production solutions
• Collaborate on the end-to-end production process
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and ensure quality
• Ensure H&S compliance and manage documentation
• Create technical briefs and specs
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost tracking
• Oversee onsite delivery and technical checks
• Report on projects and implement learnings
• Stay updated on production techniques and sustainability initiatives
• Draw up production schedules and coordinate with designers

Please note: flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and travel is required. Longer hours may be necessary onsite.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 5 years as a Production Manager, with experience in luxury brand activations and experiential marketing
• Understanding of event production disciplines: fabrication, AV, power, rigging, logistics
• Experience managing production schedules and projects within budget and deadlines
• Strong negotiation and relationship skills
• Extensive supplier network knowledge
• Understanding of legal obligations, H&S, and CDM roles
• Experience balancing creative and operational demands
• Experience in the art world and with luxury brands

Skills and Abilities

• Experience in experiential production agencies
• Negotiation skills and relationship management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Organizational and time management skills
• Teamwork and autonomous working ability

Qualifications and Training

• Health & Safety qualification (e.g., IOSH)
• Experience in the art world
• Bachelor's degree in relevant fields

Our Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Frieze is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, actively working to address systemic inequalities within the arts and culture industry, and fostering an inclusive environment within the organization and beyond.