Job Title: Production Assistant
Reports To: Senior Event Producer & Senior Production Manager
Responsible For: n/a
Location: Edinburgh
Dates of Work: 4th May 2026 – 18th September 2026
Contract: 40hrs/week (Monday-Friday)
The Production Assistant provides essential administrative and operational support across Underbelly projects, working closely with the senior team including the Senior Event Producer and Senior Production Manager to ensure the smooth planning and delivery of events.
ROLE
Administrative & Financial Support
- Research cost options for hires and purchases, presenting comparisons for review by the Production Manager/Producer.
- Raise Purchase Orders (POs) for approved items in line with company procedures.
- Support the development and maintenance of event budgets, tracking both projected and actual costs for director approval.
- Monitor production expenditure, including reconciling credit card purchases and coding all transactions.
Staffing & Contracts
- Assist with the recruitment freelance crew across all build and production roles in line with project budgets.
- Maintain accurate staffing schedules and trackers for review and approval.
- Raise Purchase Orders for approved crew and manage any changes, sourcing additional staff where required.
- Draft and issue contracts for production staff during the operational phase of events.
Logistics & Planning
- Arrange travel and accommodation for production team members and freelancers as required.
- Prepare and maintain key pre-event documentation, advance information packs, H&S surveys, sign-in sheets, and order forms.
On-Site & Operational Support
- Provide on-site support during build and strike phases, including setting up site offices/reception areas and assisting with operational tasks as needed.
- Act as an additional resource on-site, supporting the wider team with practical tasks.
- Support Production/Site Managers and Event Producers during live events by sourcing approved equipment, coordinating repairs, and liaising with suppliers to resolve operational issues.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- Highly organised with strong administrative skills and excellent attention to detail
- Confident working with spreadsheets and managing data (budgets, trackers, schedules)
- Strong numerical skills with the ability to support budget tracking and financial processes
- Clear and professional communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to prioritise workload, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Proactive and solution-focused, with a willingness to take initiative and support the wider team
- Comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative production team
- Flexibility to support on-site operations, including practical tasks during build and live event periods
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) or similar systems
Desirable
- Previous experience in live events, festivals, or production environments
- Experience raising purchase orders, reconciling expenses, or supporting budgets
- Familiarity with freelance staffing coordination and contract administration
- Understanding of event logistics, site operations, and production processes
- Awareness of Health & Safety practices within event environments
Personal Attributes
- Calm and reliable under pressure
- Positive, can-do attitude with a hands-on approach
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities
- Professional and approachable, with the ability to build effective working relationships
- Willingness to learn and develop within a busy production environment
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
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.
It is the policy of Underbelly to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable.
We expect employees to support these commitments and to assist in their realisation.