Festival and Entertainment Programmer

Festival and Entertainment Programmer

Location: Hybrid working. Office location is Jazz Events, Higher Kinnerton, CH4 9AJ.
Reports To: Managing Director
Employment Type: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Renumeration: £28,000 – £34,000 dependent on experience
Deadline / Start Date: ASAP
Holidays:  Starting at 23 days + 2 duvet days in addition to public holidays.

Company Background:
Jazz Events have been creating and delivering exceptional experiences since 2008.
Over the years, we have built a reputation for hosting a diverse range of high-quality events, including Camper Jam, Camper Calling, Camper Mart, Tattoo Freeze, and the prestigious Northern Design Awards. With several events taking place each year, our team is committed to curating memorable occasions for a variety of audiences. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a talented and passionate Festival and Entertainment Programmer to join our dynamic team.

Position Summary:
We are looking for a creative and highly organised Festival and Entertainment Programmer to join our team in the new year. This role is pivotal in curating high quality entertainment that aligns with the theme and tone of each event. The ideal candidate will be passionate about music, live events, possess excellent organisational skills, and have the ability to balance creative programming with logistical and financial considerations.

Key Responsibilities:

Programming:

• Work collaboratively with other team members to gather feedback from questionnaires, social media, and other channels to inform the selection of entertainment, bands, acts, workshops, and experiences.
• Use collected feedback to ensure programming aligns with audience preferences while staying within the event budget.

Contracting and Negotiation:

• Negotiate fees, hospitality and technical riders with bands, entertainers, and their representatives or agents.
• Review and sign contracts for all booked acts, ensuring all potential issues, conflicts, or requirements are identified and addressed.

Event Preparation / Advancing:

• Work closely with production teams to discuss and resolve technical requirements well in advance of events.
• Organise artist rider requirements, ensuring all agreed items are available on the day.
• Collect and maintain essential documentation, including Risk Assessments and Public Liability Insurance certificates where required.
• Coordinate arrival and departure procedures for all entertainers, ensuring up-to-date and accurate accreditation.

On-Site Management:

• Act as the primary point of contact for all booked entertainment, including bands, workshop leaders, agents, and experience providers.
• Meet and greet entertainers at events, working alongside artist liaison and production teams to ensure smooth delivery of all performances and activities.

Marketing and Communication:

• Collaborate with entertainers and design teams to create announcements, email campaigns, and social media content to promote the event’s programming.
• Maintain clear communication with entertainers about schedules, logistics, and expectations.

Awards and Judging:

• For events that include awards, manage the process of collecting, counting, and monitoring entries.
• Serve as a judge or liaise with judging panels, and assist in presenting awards to winners.

Industry Engagement:

• Attend industry events to network, stay informed about emerging trends, and identify potential talent for future events.
• Participate in relevant training and courses to continually improve skills and expertise.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven experience in entertainment programming, festival planning, or a similar role.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, experience working with agents, entertainers, and production teams.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A solid understanding of technical requirements for live performances, including experience with tech riders.
• Experience in gathering and analysing audience feedback to shape programming decisions.
• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing circumstances, and solve problems efficiently.
• A passion for live entertainment and creating unforgettable audience experiences.

Join Jazz Events and bring your creativity, passion, and expertise to help us deliver unforgettable experiences for audiences across the UK!