Job Summary
Join Arts Outburst as our Production and Project Manager, leading ambitious community arts projects and live events, including Light Up Thurrock and Get Creative Festival. Based in Thurrock. Full-time or 0.8 FTE. £32,000 FTE.
Arts Outburst is looking for an organised, creative and confident Production and Project Manager to help us deliver ambitious community arts projects, festivals and live events across Thurrock and beyond.
Working closely with our CEO/Artistic Director and wider team, you will manage projects from initial planning through to successful delivery and evaluation. This will include flagship programmes such as Light Up Thurrock and Get Creative Festival, alongside workshops, performances, participatory projects and commissions throughout the year.
You will:
- Develop and manage project plans, schedules and budgets
- Coordinate artists, freelancers, venues, suppliers and technical contractors
- Lead event production, including logistics, site planning, permissions and technical requirements
- Support risk assessments, safeguarding and health and safety processes
- Maintain strong relationships with communities, schools, partners and funders
- Monitor participation, gather feedback and contribute to evaluation and reporting
- Support marketing, communications and audience development
- Ensure projects are inclusive, welcoming and delivered to a high standard
We are looking for someone with experience of managing arts, cultural, community or live-event projects. You will need excellent organisational and communication skills, confidence managing several priorities and the ability to remain calm and practical during busy delivery periods. Experience of event production, budget management and working with artists, communities or young people would be particularly valuable.
This is a hands-on role requiring some evening and weekend work, travel to project locations and flexibility around major events.
Salary: £32,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time or 0.8 FTE (£25,600 pro rata)
Location: Arts Outburst, Grays, with delivery across Thurrock and surrounding areas
Contract: Permanent
Job Requirements
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Experience of managing arts, cultural, community or live-event projects from planning through to delivery and evaluation
- Strong production and event-management skills, including coordinating artists, venues, suppliers and technical requirements
- Excellent organisation, communication and relationship-building skills
- Experience of managing budgets, schedules, contracts and competing priorities
- A practical, solutions-focused approach and the ability to remain calm during busy delivery periods
- Understanding of health and safety, risk management, safeguarding and inclusive practice
- Confidence working with artists, communities, schools, young people, partners and funders
- Strong IT and administrative skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a small team
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required and travel between project locations
- Commitment to Arts Outburst’s values
Job Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, production, delivery and evaluation of Arts Outburst projects and events, including Light Up Thurrock and Get Creative Festival
- Develop and manage project plans, schedules, budgets and delivery targets
- Coordinate artists, freelancers, venues, suppliers, technical teams and contractors
- Oversee event logistics, site planning, equipment, access, permissions and technical requirements
- Prepare and maintain production schedules, risk assessments and event documentation
- Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, accessibility and environmental considerations are embedded throughout delivery
- Build positive relationships with communities, schools, partners, funders and stakeholders
- Monitor participation, collect feedback and contribute to evaluation and funder reports
- Work with the communications team to support effective marketing and audience engagement
- Attend and lead meetings, site visits, workshops and live events
- Support colleagues
Why Join Arts Outburst?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly, ambitious and growing organisation at an exciting point in its development.
As Productions & Project Manager, you will have the opportunity to:
- Lead innovative and meaningful creative projects
- Work alongside talented artists and creative practitioners
- Develop new partnerships and collaborations
- Help shape the future of culture in Thurrock
- Create opportunities for local people to participate in arts and culture
- Make a genuine difference to communities through creativity
Whether supporting a young person’s first creative experience, helping local artists develop their practice, delivering a community festival or bringing people together through a shared cultural experience, your work will have a direct and lasting impact.
What We Offer
- FT Salary of £32,000 per annum
- Employer pension contribution
- 20 days annual leave plus public holidays
- Opportunities for training and professional development
- A varied and rewarding role working across festivals, events, youth programmes and community arts projects
- A supportive and collaborative working environment
- The chance to make a genuine difference through creativity
Location
This is a full-time, office and community-based role located in Thurrock. Regular attendance at Arts Outburst venues, project locations and partner sites is required.
Some evening and weekend working will be necessary to support programme delivery and events. Time off in lieu (TOIL) will be provided in accordance with organisational policy.
How to Apply
To apply, please download the full job description and send a CV and cover letter to jobs@artsoutburst.co.uk within the deadline.
Closing Date: Monday 31 August 2026
Arts Outburst is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.
