Scenic Workshop Manager

Hogarth Worldwide Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global content production company is seeking a Workshop Manager to oversee daily operations in their scenic fabrication workshop. The role involves leading a skilled team to ensure high-quality production of scenic elements, managing CNC programming, and working closely with project managers to deliver projects on time and within budget. Candidates should have expertise in CNC programming, a strong understanding of scenic construction techniques, and experience in stakeholder management. This position also emphasizes safety and efficient resource management.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Employee quarterly bonus scheme

Enhanced maternity and parental leave

Training programmes and development budgets

Wellbeing incentives and activities

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in CNC programming for various materials.
• Demonstrated experience operating and troubleshooting industrial CNC routers.
• Ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings and CAD files.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the scenic fabrication workshop.
• Develop schedules and manage workshop resources.
• Ensure high-quality production of all scenic elements.

Skills

CNC programming

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Tools

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

CNC routers/mills

Job description

Hogarth is the Global Content Production Company. Part of WPP, Hogarth partners with one in every two of the world’s top 100 brands including Coca-Cola, Ford, Rolex, Nestlé, Mondelez and Dyson. With a breadth of experience across an extensive range of sectors, Hogarth offers the unrivaled ability to deliver relevant, engaging, and measurable content across all channels and media - both established and emerging. The number of channels at our fingertips; the need for speed; and the drive for mass personalisation, all mean that brands need different solutions. Our global team of over 7,500 craft and technology experts brings together creative, production and innovation to help clients navigate this exciting and ever-changing world of today’s content experience.

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore. WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500. Our people are the key to our success. We’re committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.

THE ROLE:

The Workshop Manager is a critical role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of our scenic fabrication workshop. This individual will lead a core team of skilled craftspeople to ensure the safe, efficient, and high-quality production of all scenic elements. A critical aspect of this role is working in exceptionally close partnership with the Scenic Project Managers to translate design visions and technical specifications into buildable solutions. The Workshop Manager will develop schedules, fabrication strategies, manage workshop resources, uphold stringent safety standards, and drive production to ensure all scenic projects are delivered to the highest quality, on time, and within budget, directly supporting the Project Manager’s overall project goals and client commitments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Workshop & Operations Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations and resources of the workshop and scenic warehouse teams.
• Work closely with the scenic PMs, production Managers and Creative team to guarantee smooth, end-to-end project delivery.
• Offer input and advice on materials, design, and pricing (stock and custom) to other internal departments.
• Work with draftsperson to create technical drawings and plans to support manufacturing and project execution.
• Schedule and coordinate workshop tasks, ensuring efficient workflow and timely project completion.
• Oversee the operation and programming of CNC machinery to support manufacturing processes.
• Propose cost-effective and sustainable solutions for all scenic designs.
• Supervise the construction of custom builds and the preparation of all scenic stock items.
• Maintain a high level of health and safety across all workshop operations.
• Manage the stock of all tools, materials, and consumables.
• Oversee the maintenance of all workshop machinery and tools.
• Work closely with internal teams to guarantee smooth, end-to-end project delivery.
• Work with the Scenic PMs to lead the growth and development of the Scenic department and team.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE:

• Proven expertise in CNC programming for various materials (wood, plastics, non-ferrous metals).
• Demonstrated experience operating and troubleshooting industrial CNC routers/mills.
• Experience in managing CNC production workflow, including job scheduling, material nesting, and quality control of cut parts.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from complex technical drawings, CAD files (e.g., AutoCAD, Vectorworks), and 3D models (e.g., SketchUp).
• Proven experience in scenic build within the events, theatre, or exhibition industry with a strong technical knowledge of scenic materials and construction methods with expert proficiency in various fabrication techniques including carpentry, metalwork (welding, cutting, grinding), rigging principles, and general construction.
• Strong understanding of scenic painting techniques, prop making, and finishing processes.
• Highly organised, comfortable interpreting client designs, and adept at stakeholder management.
• Proficient in the safe operation of a wide range of power tools, hand tools, and workshop machinery (table saws, panel saws, routers, etc.).
• Experienced in leading, developing, and managing a team.
• Flexible and able to adapt to changing project requirements, designs, and priorities.
• Able to maintain a calm, methodical approach when working under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Passionate about the industry, problem-solving, sustainable practices, and innovative builds.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous eye for detail, ensuring high standards of quality and accuracy in all fabricated elements.
• Time Management: Proven ability to manage tight deadlines and work efficiently in a fast-paced, dynamic production environment.
• Adaptability: Flexible and able to adapt to changing project requirements, designs, and priorities.
• Safety Conscious: Unwavening commitment to maintaining a safe working environment for all team members.
• Budget Acumen: Ability to manage and track project costs effectively.
• Creativity: A passion for scenic artistry and an understanding of design aesthetics.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 28 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays) + volunteer day.
• Employee quarterly bonus scheme
• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental leave
• A 1.5:1 matching pension structure
• Help@hand enhanced benefits app, TELUS tool, annual eye test and many more
• A company committed to investing in people with tailored training programmes and development budgets
• Enhanced and ongoing wellbeing & sustainability incentives and activities throughout the year
• International travel for work
• Season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme

Hands on

No egos here. Just a shared drive to roll up our sleeves and make great things happen. Every project—big or small, gets our full energy because we believe in doing things right. Every single time. It's how we deliver real results without cutting corners.

Honesty

We are real and authentic – with each other and in our work. Honest, direct communication builds the trust we need to collaborate, grow, and make meaningful things together. It’s not always easy but it’s always worth it.

Heart & Soul

We bring heart to everything we make. Passion, pride and relentless drive push us beyond “good enough”—because we care deeply about our craft, and we’re always chasing better. We love what we do, and it shows.

Happy Family

Creating a space where everyone feels valued—even when opinions differ, makes this a supportive and inclusive environment for our people. We embrace our differences, celebrate our wins together, and never lose our sense of humor.

Hungry

Curiosity keeps us hungry. We question, experiment, and always seek out what’s next. We never settle, and we never stop learning.

Inclusion and Impact

Please contact [emailprotected] if you need the job advert or form in another format.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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