Our boundary-pushing music programme is renowned for its range, ambition, and inclusivity. Alongside our partners, we provide some of the most exciting musical experiences in the capital, from dazzling classical concerts and opera to unique shows with leading contemporary artists, cutting-edge electronic creations, durational experiences, and cross-arts collaborations.
The role
The Barbican Music department is looking for a highly motivated, pro-active and experienced Senior Producer to lead, motivate and inspire the production team, and act as pivotal link between programme, technical and stage teams to deliver world-class events in the Concert Hall and other venues onsite and offsite.
The Senior Producer is part of the Music Department senior management team with key responsibility to ensure the Barbican Music programme of over 330 concerts a year (on and off-site) is delivered to one consistent international standard and reflects the Barbican’s standing as a world-class venue.
You will lead a multi-skilled production team, providing clear direction, long-term oversight of the programme, and ensuring a joined-up approach across production, stage and technical delivery. Working closely with senior technical and stage colleagues, you will help create a cohesive, high-performing environment with strong communication and shared standards of excellence.
A core part of the role will be driving continuous improvement—identifying opportunities to refine operations, implementing and embedding new ways of working, and leading change to support the department’s long-term ambitions.
You will also oversee financial planning and budget management across production activity, contribute to operational policy development, and play a key role in health and safety leadership, including risk management and compliance.
As a senior advisor within the organisation, you will provide expert guidance on production, event delivery and artist-related operational matters, including immigration processes and associated legislation.
As Senior Producer, you will cultivate excellent relations with artists, artistic organisations world-wide, creative practitioners, producers, promoters, other arts departments and partners, including the Resident Orchestra, the LSO, and Artistic Associates BBCSO, Serious, Academy of Ancient Music and Darbar.
As we enter our ambitious Renewal project, this role will act as the key point of contact for Music, ensuring the needs of artists, audiences and production team are embedded in the transformation—while maintaining the seamless delivery of a world-class programme.
This is an opportunity to drive change at scale, and help define the next chapter of the Barbican.
Role requirements
- Educated to a degree level in a relevant field or significant equivalent work experience
- Excellent knowledge and interest in the arts, and in particular music (classical and contemporary) to degree level or equivalent.
- Extensive technical and music event production knowledge
- Extensive experience as a manager; team leadership preferred
- Experience of managing budgets, controlling costs and ensuring financial accountability
- Experience of working collaboratively across departments to achieve shared objectives
- In-depth knowledge of current and previous government legislation related to issues such as Immigration, UK tax laws and procedures and any technical legislation for incoming international artists. Ability to act as an internal expert and provide advice.
- Experience of operational planning, process improvement and implementing new ways of working
- Excellent knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and Risk Assessments for a wide range of live music events[MS2.1][MS2.2]
- Proven ability to establish and nurture strong relationships and build long-term partnerships internally and with external organisations.
- Strong facilitation and negotiation skills and ability to juggle conflicting needs and priorities of multiple stakeholders[MS3.1], including external partners and government bodies
- High level oral and written communication skills, including proven ability to communicate to diverse groups of stakeholders; drafting reports and briefs.
- Ability to work with IT office systems (MS Office), databases and production support systems such Artifax.
- Ability to work under pressure in a multi-task environment as well as part of a dynamic and supportive team.
To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please see the ‘Job Information Pack’.
What We Offer:
- Barbican Membership
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
- Access to Barbican Centre discounts including offers at the Barbican Shop and hospitality outlets
- City Corporation staff benefits and discounts throughout the City of London, including at Tower Bridge, Guildhall Art Gallery and others
- Reciprocal entry to a number of galleries and museums across London
- Employee volunteering scheme (up to 2 days per year)
- A vibrant, creative, inclusive workplace at one of the world’s leading arts centres
