Senior Project Manager (Live Events)

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Holiday

Other Leave

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead the successful delivery of Summer Series (July) and SKATE (Nov - Jan), developing and managing project plans, delivering against key milestones, and overseeing all operational and logistical aspects of both events.
• Work with the Head of Projects and Senior Project Manager (Projects) to develop and deliver new projects and events, providing both creative and practical input.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with external stakeholders including promoters, art fair organisers, suppliers, sponsors and artists, ensuring clear communication, effective collaboration and strong client satisfaction.
• Work closely with the Development team to build and maintain relationships with sponsors, stakeholders and strategic partners, acting as key point of contact throughout project delivery.
• Working alongside the Production Manager, Visitor Experience, Estates team and the Senior Project Manager (Projects), ensure health & safety standards and operational procedures are consistently implemented and adhered to across all projects.
• Collaborate with the Audience teams on event communications and ticketing strategies, overseeing ticketing set up and delivery.
• Work closely with Production Managers to support supplier management, contract delivery and project implementation.
• Take a lead event management role on site, overseeing delivery and managing Producer responsibilities during build, live and derig periods.
• Work collaboratively across Somerset House, bringing together internal stakeholders from multiple teams to ensure projects are planned and delivered efficiently and are fully integrated with wider site activity.

Line Management

• Lead, manage, and develop 2x Producers, providing clear direction and support to enable high performance, growth and effective delivery across the Live Events team.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and accountable team culture, empowering reports to take ownership of their work while ensuring resources are effectively planned and allocated.
• Hold regular 1-1 meetings with 2x direct reports, providing feedback, setting objectives, reviewing performance, and identifying development opportunities.

Financial Management and Governance

• Prepare, implement and monitor project budgets, tracking profit and loss performance and providing regular reporting and forecasting to support informed decision making.
• Where required, work with the Head of Live or Head of Projects to develop financial models and business cases for new projects and opportunities, supporting commercial evaluation and risk assessment.
• Oversee the effective management and reconciliation of project budgets, providing regular financial updates to the Head of Live Events and Head of Projects.
• Negotiate contractual terms with partners, suppliers and stakeholders, drafting and managing agreements in collaboration with Somerset House's Head of Legal.
• Establish and maintain effective project management systems, processes and documentation to ensure consistent delivery across all projects.
• Schedule, chair and coordinate project meetings - setting agendas, managing communications, recording actions and ensuring timely follow up.
• Produce regular project reports, actively managing risks, issues and mitigations, and lead comprehensive project debriefs to capture learning and drive continuous improvement.
• Work with the Head of Live Events and Head of Projects to identify opportunities to improve ways of working, increase income, reduce expenditure and enhance project delivery.
• Lead the accredited supplier tender process for Live Events - managing procurement, contract negotiations and supplier onboarding. Once finalised, set review process and maintain excellent working relationships with all suppliers.
• Work with the Head of Operations and Senior Project Manager (Projects), to review and maintain venue policies, procedures and compliance, ensuring they remain current and effective.

General Responsibilities

• Actively support and promote Somerset House's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across the workplace, project teams and public facing events.
• Contribute to the wider objectives of the Commercial department and Somerset House, taking on additional responsibilities as required and supporting the successful delivery of projects and events across the organisation.

Skills & Expertise

• Significant experience delivering large scale, high quality, public events and installations across a range of artforms and locations, including large scale outdoor events within a complex or unique venue
• Strong project management experience, including developing critical paths, managing multiple workstreams and delivering against key milestones
• Experience building and managing senior stakeholder relationships, including sponsors, partners, artists and suppliers, with experience of contract negotiation and management Experience of developing projects from concept through to delivery, including working with artists on new commissions and assessing project feasibility and financial viability
• Experience managing and developing direct reports through effective leadership
• Proven experience managing complex budgets, monitoring financial performance and overseeing profit and loss
• Experience of operational and health & safety management, including risk assessments Experienced leading supplier tender processes

Experience

• Excellent relationship building skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and engage stakeholders at all levels Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently
• A proactive and solution-focused approach, with strong judgement and the ability to make informed decisions independently
• Excellent organisational prioritisation and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing demands and maintain attention to detail under pressure
• Ability to translate complex information, schedules and plans into clear and concise communications
• A continuous improvement mindset, with the confidence to challenge existing ways of working and identify opportunities for improvement
• A collaborative, flexible approach, with ability to thrive in a fast paced, evolving environment
• A commitment to & enthusiasm for Somerset House's vision, values, and cultural programme