Senior Project Manager (Live Events)
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Summary
Leads delivery of Somerset House's flagship live events — the 11-night Summer Series music programme and the SKATE ice rink — plus third-party cultural programming, overseeing planning, budgets, suppliers, contracts and health & safety, and line-managing two Producers. Core skills: large-scale event delivery, project and financial management, stakeholder relations.
We’re seeking a Senior Project Manager to join the Commercial department, working within the Live Events team and alongside the Projects team to oversee the development and delivery of high-quality, large-scale events across Somerset House’s Grade 1 listed building. We are looking for an experienced and proactive project manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys balancing strategic thinking with hands on delivery. The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of delivering ambitious, multidisciplinary cultural programmes, with experience of managing high-quality events and installations across a range of artforms, venues and settings, including large scale outdoor events.
This role will take the lead on the Live Events team’s two flagship projects: Summer Series – Somerset House’s annual 11-night live music series, and SKATE, our renowned festive ice rink. Working closely with colleagues across the Projects team, this role will also oversee the planning and delivery of a growing portfolio of third-party cultural programming, including art Fairs and partnerships.
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.
We are looking for someone who has:
- 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
Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Access to our external Employee Assistance Programme (CiC) for free 24/7 confidential advice and support, including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year where needed
- Mental health support and guidance from our in-house trained Mental Health First Aiders
- Hybrid working based on having 3 days in the office per week (pro rata if part-time)*
- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses
-Trust life insurance scheme
- We offer winter flu vaccination vouchers
* dependent on the needs of the role
- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses
-Trust life insurance scheme
- We offer winter flu vaccination vouchers
* dependent on the needs of the role
Holiday
- Enhanced annual leave – 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Birthday leave - additional day leave
- Celebration day - to celebrate anything of your choice
Other Leave
- Sick leave – 20 days full pay, followed by 20 days half pay (pro rata & following 3 months service)
- Emergency dependent care – option to use 25% of paid sick leave for emergency care of a dependent (pro rata & following 3 months of service)
- Enhanced maternity pay
Benefits
Benefits
- 8% employer pension contributions, no employee contribution required*
- Option for salary sacrifice
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to Work scheme
Discounts, offers and free stuff
-The list is endless and includes tickets to Somerset House events and entrance to other London Heritage sites
-Discounts in Somerset House cafes and restaurants
-Discounts with various high street retailers and restaurants
-Discounts to local leisure centres
*following 3 months of employment
-The list is endless and includes tickets to Somerset House events and entrance to other London Heritage sites
-Discounts in Somerset House cafes and restaurants
-Discounts with various high street retailers and restaurants
-Discounts to local leisure centres
*following 3 months of employment