Coventry City of Culture Trust Production Manager for Opening Event

Reports to Lead Producer

Role: Production Manager for Opening EventReports to Lead Producer

Fee: £12,000 freelance fee

Dates: Start October 2020 until the event delivery in May 2021

Expected time commitment:

Hours determined by the workload – increasing over the time period and culminating in exclusive commitment for a six week period from mid-April until the end of May 2021

You must be available throughout April and May 2021

The role will involve some anti-social hours and weekend work, particularly in April and May 2021

Expenses: Away from home expenses to be paid as agreed with the Lead Producer

Context

In July 2020, we announced that Coventry’s City of Culture programme will start in May 2021 and run for 12 months, allowing us to keep our promise to the city and region - to deliver an extraordinary year while providing some much-needed certainty and resources to our artists and communities.

This is your opportunity to be part of telling the story of a city on the move.

Coventry City of Culture Trust was set up in 2015 to bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021. Now that we have been successful in securing the prestigious title, we are recruiting the team ready to deliver an ambitious UK City of Culture year in 2021 and legacy.

We are a diverse, modern city which is re-imagining the role culture can play in bringing people together. Coventry is a city of welcome, a city of activists and pioneers, a city of peace and reconciliation, a city of innovation and invention, a City of Culture.

The Trust is committed to:

• Welcoming 2.5m additional visitors to Coventry in 2021• 80% of the city’s residents experiencing at least three events in 2021• Increasing audience attendance from under-represented communities by 20%• Activating more than 16,000 volunteers and participants• Making long-lasting, tangible social change in Coventry• Transforming who holds the power to create and curate in the city• Starting a wave of cultural investment across the region

Opening Event

Taking place over multiple days mid May 2021, the Opening Event will be designed for a large, live audience, working with Covid-19 social distancing parameters. As our city takes centre stage this opening moment will be a significant chance to celebrate the city’s identity, instilling local pride, but also put Coventry on the map for regional, national and international audiences. The event will focus on the city as a place of reinvention, its pioneering and innovative spirit, Coventry as a city of craft and creators, a city of activism, of peace and reconciliation, a city which has long welcomed and celebrated people and cultures from around the world. Coventry as a city of movement.

Job Description

We are looking for a Production Manager to work on the Coventry City of Culture 2021 Opening Event. This person will work closely with the creative team to produce elements of the event.

The Role

To work with the creative team to scope, cost, oversee the design and technical ambitions of the event

To present costs of the builds, hire, equipment etc. as required To work within the Trust procurement procedures Managing scenic builds and ensuring they are produced to specified standard, deadline

& budget. Working alongside the Event Operations Manager & Lead Producer to oversee a safe

and efficient build & break phase. To have relevant input on event safety operational documents To have a solid understanding of Health & Safety, to actively promote safe working

practices To comply with CDM regulations during the advance and on site(s) Looking after elements of rehearsals such as sourcing appropriate infrastructure &

venues. Be part of the selection of the stage management teams and work with the appointed

teams To be part of the appointment and manage the Assistant Production Manager Support the Opening Event team in making efficient use of the Trust’s project

management software, working with the the in-house Production team. Support strong communication and smooth working processes across the Opening Event

team, wider Trust team members, production company and all other suppliers. Undertake project research as required. To commit to and promote the Trust’s sustainability and access policies. Actively engage with the organisation’s vision and policies regarding equal opportunities

and diversity, artistic ambition, participation and engagement, health and safety, evaluation and monitoring

To be aware of, and undertake to comply with the Trust’s GDPR, Health and Safety and Diversity and Equality Policies

Personal Specification

To be skilled in both production and technical management To have experience of outdoor, large scale events To have a solid understanding and working knowledge of CDM regulations Be able to use AutoCAD with proficiency A respect for the creative process Flexible mindset, calm under pressure A solutions person To be a team player, willing to mentor younger members of the team The skill to interact effectively at all levels of the team and the organisation Be passionate about the power of arts & culture to create social change. Attributes of diplomacy, confidentiality, trust and respect for colleagues and partners. Ideally be local to Coventry / the Midlands Attributes of diplomacy, confidentiality, trust and respect for colleagues and partners

General

We aim to reflect all the city’s communities in our workforce and as such candidates from currently under-represented groups, including those with disabilities, are especially encouraged to apply.

Process

Please submit up to a 2-page letter plus an up to date CV addressing your interest and suitability for the post with reference to the personal specifications.

Coventry City of Culture Trust is committed to equal opportunities and will treat all applications fairly based on written submissions, please complete the anonymous equal opportunities google form available at www.coventry2021.co.uk/jobs. Applications should be sent to Production@coventry2021.co.uk

Timetable

Advertised – 7th August 2020

Applications close – Friday 28th August 11am

Interview date – w/c 7th September

Following government social distancing guidelines, interviews will likely be held via video conferencing software.

Terms and Conditions

On appointment the successful candidate must be able to provide the correct documents as proof of their right to work in the UK

For more information about the Coventry 10-year Cultural Strategy visit www.covculture.com and for more information about Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 visit www.coventry2021.co.uk