General Manager
Playful Productions Closing date: Mon, 03 Aug 2026
- Full time
- £40k-£50k
- Apply now
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
GENERAL MANAGER
Playful Productions Playful Productions is one of the leading independent theatre production companies in the West End.
Current and recent producing and general management work includes Inter Alia, Born With Teeth, The Fifth Step, Wicked, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and MJ The Musical. We also have many plays and musicals in development and preproduction.
We are passionate about presenting high-quality shows to audiences across the UK and beyond. We are committed to a workplace culture that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion across all departments.
OVERVIEW
The General Manager will lead the delivery of allocated productions, taking responsibility for running these on budget and to schedule. They will lead the production process from start to finish, overseeing budgets, schedules, negotiations, recruitment of production staff, processes (including accounts, payroll, royalties, marketing, technical), company welfare, press nights and travel/accommodation.
The General Manager will be the point of contact for creative teams, authors, co-producers, the company, venue and other stakeholders. They will bring extensive management and decision-making experience in order to deliver Playful's work to the highest standard.
The General Manager works on more than one production and is an experienced escalation point for all issues that arise. They manage the Production Coordinators and Production Assistants that work with them on their productions.
Job Requirements
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar General Management role within professional theatre, including large-scale West End productions and/or UK tours
- Proven experience managing multiple productions, negotiating contracts, building and managing budgets, and delivering projects within budget
- Strong knowledge of theatre union agreements, HR processes, employee relations, and line management
-Experience coordinating casting, recruitment, marketing campaigns, press events, and production teams
-Excellent organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with producers, creatives, and senior partners
-Commercially aware, highly organised, and detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving abilities
-Flexible approach with the ability to work evenings and weekends when required
-Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace/ industry
Job Responsibilities
- Oversee the full delivery of professional theatre productions from pre-production to closing, including West End productions, UK tours, international transfers, workshops, and new developments.
- Manage production budgets, forecasts, weekly expenditure, payroll, financial reporting, and cost control to ensure projects are delivered within budget.
- Advise Producers and senior stakeholders on production setup, timelines, contracts, staffing, and operational requirements.
- Lead recruitment, casting coordination, contract negotiations, and management of creative, production, and technical teams in line with budgets and union agreements.
-Oversee HR processes, employee relations, line management, and compliance with theatre union agreements and employment regulations.
-Manage touring logistics, including theatre bookings, travel, accommodation, visas, and production schedules.
-Coordinate press nights, marketing events, programmes, and promotional activities within media teams.
Useful Links
Job Overview
- Job Title: General Manager
- Salary: £40k-£50k
- Hours: Full time
- Artform: Theatre
- Role: Technical & Production
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing date: Mon, 03 Aug 2026
-
Location:
| view on Google MapsLondon
Job: General Manager
Job: General Manager
Organisation: Playful Productions
Postcode: WC2H 0AR
How to Apply
To apply, please send your CV with a short covering letter to [email protected] with your name and the role you are applying for in the subject line.
Please note that applications will be reviewed, and interviews arranged on a rolling basis.
To assist with the shortlisting process, please save your CV and cover letter as a pdf, with the file name “‘First name’ ‘last name’ – CV/Cover Letter”.
We are committed to a workplace culture that embraces equality, diversity, and inclusion across all departments.
- Contact name: Playful Productions
- Contact email: [email protected]