Head of Build & Production (Experiential, Scenic & Fabrication)
Location: Manchester (Office & Workshop Based)
Type: Full Time
Reports to: Directors
About Visual Architects
Visual Architects is a creative production company specialising in immersive environments, experiential activations, festivals, hospitality interiors, scenic builds, bespoke fabrication, and large-scale event environments across the UK and Europe.
We design, build, install, and deliver visually impactful experiences for brands, venues, agencies, and live events. Our projects range from temporary activations and festivals through to permanent installations, hospitality fit-outs, and complex scenic environments.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for a highly organised and operationally driven Head of Build & Production to lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of our fabrication and build operations.
Please note: This is not a manufacturing or production line management role. We are specifically looking for candidates from experiential, scenic build, exhibitions, theatre, live events, fabrication, commercial interiors, immersive experiences, or creative production environments.
The Role
The Head of Build & Production is responsible for ensuring all projects are properly planned, resourced, fabricated, and delivered on time.
This is a hands-on operational leadership role focused on:
- Build planning
- Production scheduling
- Workforce allocation
- Procurement coordination
- Workshop oversight
- Supplier management
- Project delivery
The successful candidate will oversee multiple live projects simultaneously, balancing workshop capacity, labour resources, procurement requirements, and delivery deadlines.
You will work closely with Project Managers, Creative Producers, Designers, the Warehouse Team, Installation Teams, and the Workshop Manager to ensure projects move efficiently from concept approval through to installation.
The successful candidate will initially work alongside the current Head of Production Manager for several months to learn internal systems, supplier networks, workflows, and operational structures before transitioning into full ownership of the role.
Key Responsibilities
Production Planning & Scheduling
- Oversee the production and build schedule across all live projects.
- Create realistic fabrication and delivery timelines.
- Ensure projects are planned, sequenced, and delivered on time.
- Monitor project progress and proactively manage risks, delays, and resource conflicts.
- Coordinate production priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
- Ensure production schedules align with installation and delivery deadlines.
Workforce Planning & Resource Allocation
- Plan labour requirements across fabrication, scenic, logistics, and installation teams.
- Coordinate internal teams, freelancers, subcontractors, and specialist suppliers.
- Monitor department capacity and workload planning.
- Ensure the correct resources are allocated to each project.
- Support recruitment and onboarding within the production department when required.
Procurement & Materials Coordination
- Oversee material requirements across all active projects.
- Work closely with the Stock & Inventory Controller to manage material ordering, stock forecasting, stock availability, and procurement requirements.
- Liaise with suppliers regarding pricing, lead times, deliveries, and availability.
- Ensure materials arrive in line with project schedules to prevent delays.
- Support purchasing decisions and operational procurement planning.
Workshop & Fabrication Oversight
- Work directly alongside the Workshop Manager, who oversees the day-to-day running of the workshop and fabrication teams.
- Ensure workshop schedules remain aligned with project deadlines.
- Monitor fabrication progress and build quality across all active projects.
- Support technical problem solving and practical build solutions.
- Maintain strong communication between workshop teams and project teams.
- Ensure projects leave the workshop fully prepared for transport and installation.
Operational Leadership
- Lead and support the wider production function.
- Maintain clear communication across departments regarding timelines, priorities, risks, and project status.
- Attend planning and operational meetings.
- Support the development of efficient operational processes and planning systems.
- Help build a proactive, accountable, and solutions-focused culture within the department.
Skills & Experience Required
We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience within:
- Experiential events
- Scenic production
- Exhibition build
- Live events
- Immersive experiences
- Themed environments
- Hospitality fit-outs
- Creative fabrication
- Commercial interiors
- Museum and visitor attractions
- Production and build environments
Essential
- Strong production planning and organisational skills.
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience coordinating fabrication and build schedules.
- Strong understanding of workshop operations and build environments.
- Experience managing labour, contractors, and suppliers.
- Strong commercial awareness and budget management skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable
- Scenic fabrication experience.
- Exhibition or experiential industry experience.
- Knowledge of joinery, scenic finishing, metalwork, print, or specialist fabrication processes.
- Experience within immersive or visitor attraction environments.
- Experience managing large-scale build and installation projects.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be someone who understands how creative projects are physically brought to life.
You will be highly organised, commercially aware, operationally strong, and comfortable managing fast-moving projects where priorities can shift quickly.
This role would suit someone currently working as:
- Head of Production
- Head of Scenic Production
- Production Manager
- Senior Production Manager
- Build Manager
- Scenic Production Manager
- Technical Production Manager
- Fabrication Manager
- Workshop Manager
- Operations Manager
within an experiential, scenic, fabrication, exhibition, live event, or immersive environment.