Event Crew – Telehandler & Forklift Driver
Company: Columbia Events
Contract: Freelance / Day Rate
Rate: £200 per day
Location: London & South East based, working on event and festival sites across the UK
ABOUT THE ROLE
Columbia Events is looking for an experienced event crew member / plant operator to join our freelance crew team, primarily operating telehandlers and forklifts across festival, sporting and live event sites.
This is a hands-on, site-based role supporting the build and breakdown of our temporary bar operations. You’ll work alongside our operations team moving equipment, containers, pallets, bar infrastructure and stock during event load-ins and load-outs.
While plant operation will be a key part of the role, we’re looking for someone who is happy to get stuck into general event crew work when not operating machinery. This could include bar builds, loading and unloading vehicles, moving equipment and assisting with general site setup.
Work will be offered on a day-rate basis, with opportunities throughout our event calendar.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Experienced telehandler and forklift operator
- Valid and recognised telehandler/forklift qualifications
- Previous experience working on festival, event or temporary construction sites
- Confident operating plant in busy environments with people, vehicles and multiple contractors working around you
- Comfortable loading and unloading HGVs and moving equipment around event sites
- Happy to assist with general crew and build work when plant operation isn’t required
- Practical, reliable and able to work independently when given a task
- Good awareness of site health & safety
- Comfortable with early starts, late finishes, weekends and occasional periods working away
- Full UK driving licence preferred
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESTelehandler & Forklift Operations
- Operate telehandlers and forklifts safely across event sites
- Load and unload HGVs, trailers and delivery vehicles
- Move pallets, bar equipment, stock and event infrastructure around site
- Assist with positioning equipment and materials during bar builds
- Carry out daily plant checks and report any defects or issues
- Work safely around crew, contractors, pedestrians and other site vehicles
- Follow site traffic management plans and instructions from the operations team
Event Build & Breakdown
When not operating plant, you’ll work as part of the wider crew team to:
- Build and break down temporary festival bars and back-of-house areas
- Load and unload vehicles
- Move and position bar equipment and infrastructure
- Assist with container bars and temporary structures
- Support equipment packing and site clearance
- Assist with general event build and derig tasks
- Keep work areas organised and safe throughout the build
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Essential:
- Telehandler qualification
- Forklift qualification
- Experience confidently operating plant
- Strong understanding of safe lifting and materials handling
- Good site awareness and communication
- Willingness to undertake general event crew work
Beneficial:
- Previous festival or live event experience
- Experience with temporary bar or hospitality infrastructure
- Experience loading/unloading HGVs
- Banksman / slinger experience
- Manual handling and other relevant site qualifications
- Full UK driving licence
WHY COLUMBIA EVENTS
Columbia Events designs, builds and operates high-volume temporary bars across festivals, sporting venues and live events throughout the UK.
We’re looking to build a reliable pool of experienced freelance crew and plant operators who can work with us regularly throughout the event season.
This is a practical role for someone who enjoys event sites, knows their way around plant and machinery, and is equally happy jumping off the telehandler and getting involved with the wider crew when needed.
Rate: £200 per day, with work available across our UK event calendar.
Pay: £200.00 per day
Experience:
- Event Industry: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Forklift Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
