Job Title: Head of Programming
Location: London Head Office and relocation to Edinburgh for 5 weeks every summer
Starting Salary: £50,000
Reports To: Underbelly Directors
Responsible For: Programming Team
ABOUT UNDERBELLY
Underbelly is a UK-based live entertainment company that specialises in producing and programming ground-breaking theatrical productions and the creation of city-centre cultural events, festivals and venues across the UK, USA and Asia.
Underbelly started at and is now one of the largest producers and venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where we are proud to have previously presented Fleabag in 2013 and Six in 2018. Current live Events include Skate in Leicester Square, Nevill Holt Festival, Christmas in Trafalgar Square, operations at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Skate St George’s Liverpool, and an annual summer festival in London.
Underbelly, alongside ATG Productions, is the lead and originating producer of the Olivier Award winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. Other recent productions include Macbeth alongside Wessex Grove starring Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma.
Underbelly is a dynamic workplace. We are a 25-year-old well-established business, but we maintain a positive dynamic to seek opportunities through disruption in the UK live entertainment marketplace. We are investing in growth and in our team and we are seeking this role to further strengthen our commercial capabilities in support of those goals.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Underbelly is seeking an experienced, commercially-minded Head of Programming to lead the artistic and commercial programming strategy at the company’s largest annual event.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for curating and delivering one of the largest and most successful programmes at the Edinburgh Fringe, identifying exceptional work from across the UK and internationally, building long-term relationships with artists, producers and agents, and ensuring the programme delivers both artistic excellence and commercial success. The role will also involve working with Underbelly’s directors and other producers to identify, commission and develop work that Underbelly can produce both at the Edinburgh Fringe and then more widely across the UK and internationally. The focus of Underbelly’s portfolio of produced work is in theatre, cabaret, musicals and circus.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively alongside the senior leadership teams for press, marketing, operations and finance to deliver ambitious programming that supports both the company's artistic vision and commercial objectives.
Experience in commercial producing is desirable, enabling the successful candidate to identify opportunities for co-productions and investment into new work.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Programming
- Lead the artistic and commercial programming of Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe
- Develop an exciting and progressive programme across theatre, comedy, cabaret, circus, musicals and family work.
- Discover and identify exceptional new work nationally and internationally throughout the year.
- Assess the artistic quality of productions alongside commercial viability, audience demand and strategic fit.
- Build and maintain relationships with artists, producers, agents, venues and industry partners.
- Develop and maintain a network of potential programme partnerships between other theatres and festivals.
- Negotiate agreements and commercial deal structures. Draft, proof and approve contracts reflecting venue agreements and deals.
- Create and manage a programming schedule, ensuring seasons are programmed in a timely fashion in order to maximise marketing opportunities and box office sales.
- Work closely with the press and marketing teams to shape programme launches, announcements and campaign priorities
- In conjunction with the Marketing Director, develop and oversee key marketing strategies for the overall programme and individual production marketing strategies for Underbelly’s supported shows.
- In conjunction with the Head of Ticketing, analyse box office performance and audience trends to inform future programming decisions.
- Represent Underbelly across the live entertainment industry and at key festivals and events.
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the theatre and live entertainment sector in London, nationally and internationally, identifying trends, emerging talent and opportunities for programming.
- Work closely with front of house and technical managers to ensure that all necessary parties are closely involved in scheduling decisions and technical requirements.
- Manage and oversee the financial settlement process for all productions, ensuring accurate reconciliations, timely payments and effective communication with producers and artists.
Producing
- Identify projects suitable for commercial development, co-production or investment.
- Support the commercial development of productions beyond the Fringe, including London transfers, touring and future life.
- Work collaboratively with producers to structure commercially viable deals.
- Provide strategic oversight on selected Underbelly-produced or co-produced projects.
- Contribute to investment decisions and programme development where appropriate.
Leadership
- Lead, mentor and develop the Programming team, consisting of Senior Programmer, Festival Programmer and Programme Administrator.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive and ambitious team culture.
- Set departmental targets and oversee workload planning and delivery.
- Work closely with senior leadership on company strategy and long-term planning.
- Contribute to annual budgets, forecasting and financial planning.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- Significant experience programming live performance within festivals, venues or producing organisations.
- Strong knowledge of the UK and international live performance landscape.
- Demonstrable experience negotiating commercial agreements, budget management and financial reporting.
- Excellent commercial judgement alongside strong artistic instincts.
- Experience managing large-scale programming schedules.
- Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.
- Proven experience leading and managing teams.
- Highly organised with exceptional project management skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Desirable
- Experience in commercial producing, including co-productions or investment in live productions.
- Experience working within the Edinburgh Fringe or other major international arts festivals.
- Knowledge of venue management and year-round programming.
- Existing relationships across the theatre, comedy, cabaret and live entertainment sectors.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for someone who combines exceptional artistic taste with commercial acumen. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the live entertainment industry, an extensive professional network, and a passion for discovering and developing outstanding work.
They will thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy building lasting relationships with artists and producers, and be excited by the challenge of delivering ambitious programming that attracts audiences, supports artists and contributes to Underbelly's continued success across festivals and venues.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
People at Underbelly are united by a love of live entertainment and events and doing work that is ultimately about bringing people together in real life to enjoy human experience.
The business is full of people who are self-starters and team players; who will walk through walls to help each other and to ensure the show is a success. But we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we love a cow-pun, and we know life, and work, is about the journey not just the destination.
If this sounds like a herd you’d like to be part of, then we’d love to hear from you.