Underbelly is a UK-based live entertainment company founded in 2000 by Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood that specialises in producing and programming ground-breaking theatrical productions and the creation of city-centre cultural events and festivals across the UK, USA, Asia & beyond.
Underbelly, alongside ATG Productions, is the lead and originating producer of the Olivier Award winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, now in its third year in the West End. Recently Underbelly produced Macbeth starring Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma, The McOnie Company’s Nutcracker at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club at Southbank Centre, La Clique in Manchester & London, Cabaret Royale at the Gaillard Centre in Charleston and the UK tour of Tweedy’s Massive Circus with Tweedy the Clown.
Underbelly Boulevard, our first permanent venue, opened in 2023 in the heart of Soho presenting and producing an outstanding variety of cabaret, comedy, circus, music and theatre.
Current live Events are Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe, Christmas in Leicester Square and Underbelly Festival, previously on London’s Southbank, at Earl’s Court and in Cavendish Square.
As one of the largest producers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Underbelly is proud to have previously presented Fleabag in 2013, Six in 2018, Rob Madge’s My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) in 2022 and Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder in 2023.
Job Summary:
Underbelly are seeking an organised and highly driven Programme Administrator to join the Programming team who look after and programme all shows and events across all Underbelly Festivals and the Underbelly Boulevard in Soho. Working closely with the programming team, you will assist in ensuring the smooth running of shows performing across all venues. You will also assist on the ground at our London venue and at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, helping to coordinate the logistics for our co-productions.
The Programme Administrator is a key part of the Programming team, supporting the Programmers in the implementation of all aspects of the Underbelly operation. The Programming team are the first port of call for all visiting companies and artists and are responsible for the journey from initial conversations to fully realised festival seasons. Communication is key, as you will liaise with companies, artists, agents, producers, venues, external stakeholders, technical, marketing, box office and operational teams.
The right candidate will have a desire to learn about programming arts festivals and will demonstrate superb administrative skills. They will be extremely organised, have excellent communication skills and a keen eye for detail. They will be a proactive problem-solver with the ability to work independently as well as under pressure. They will also be confident in working to strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities include:
- Assist with the administration of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe registration process. Liaise closely with confirmed companies to collate all necessary materials for brochures, websites and on sale.
- Assist in reading and evaluating applications and attend shows to assess for potential future programming.
- Assist in the contracting process for all shows performing at Underbelly.
- Assist in the proofing of all marketing collateral; brochures, outdoor boards, calendars etc…
- Support visiting companies with the preparation required for participating at Underbelly’s venues. Distribute and request information required for various deadlines and sharing travel and financial guidance with international artists. Work alongside the marketing, technical and operations teams to support the visiting companies once on the ground.
- Work closely with the programming team to manage the logistics and administration required for shows performing at Underbelly’s venues. Take responsibility for the compilation of information about companies, including arrival and departure times, accommodation, travel, risk assessments, PLI insurance, rehearsal and press schedules and ensure that this information is passed to all relevant departments.
- Administrate the distribution of PRS, FEU and other relevant forms to all companies and co-ordinate their returns.
- Support the programmers in managing the collation, preparation and distribution of settlement paperwork for all Underbelly venues. Liaise with other departments for recharges to companies. Work closely with the finance team to ensure that they have the necessary info to make settlement payments on time and to trouble shoot issues as they arise.
- Manage and respond to emails in additional in-boxes in relation to applications and settlements.
- Assist on site once venues are open. Assist with get-ins, get-outs and tech rehearsals where required. Assist with photo calls, media calls and press nights as required. Watch Underbelly shows and feedback on audience responses and any venue or show issues.
- Act as a point of contact between artists and external companies and different departments within Underbelly.
- Provide administrative support to the programming team on other ad-hoc projects when and as required.
- Maintain a good knowledge of a wide range of performing arts, including comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and family shows.
Person Specification
Essential
- Passionate about live events and the cultural industries with an enthusiastic interest in a wide range of contemporary performing arts
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Excellent time-management and organizational skills
- Experience of working with artists
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your feet
- Detail orientated
- Experience of working with many different teams in a busy environment
- Competent across IT and software, including a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word, Dropbox, Google Drive and a willingness to learn other software programmes.
- Experience of proofing documents and cross-checking information across documents and spreadsheets
- Ability to work across different projects and prioritise tasks effectively
- Willingness to travel and work away from home for periods of time
Desirable
- Relevant experience in the arts
- Experience of working on a festival site or within a cultural venue or setting
- Experience of working on financial documents, including Excel formulae and Mail Merges
- Experience in theatrical and festival production logistics and planning
- Experience of visiting or working at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Terms and Conditions
• Salary: £25K per annum
• The job will be based in our London office, then re-locating to our Edinburgh venues for 6 weeks over July and August (travel and accommodation for Edinburgh will be provided)
• Some evening and weekend work will be required
• Some working-from-home days will be possible
• Holiday entitlement is 20 days per annum, plus statutory holidays (pro rata).
• This is a full-time position (6 months probationary period)
Underbelly is committed to reducing its environmental impacts in its everyday operations. We are also committed to maintaining the open-access policy of Underbelly. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all sectors of the community. We expect employees to support these commitments and to assist in their realisation.