Festival Lead Producer

Lewisham People's Day

Lewisham People's Day is back! South-East London's longest running free festival, will be returning to Mountsfield Park in July people including families and a large number of young people attended the last people's day in 2022, which began way back in 1984. Lewisham Council is excited to bring this much-loved festival back with a high level of production, artists and attractions. We're looking for an energetic and experienced Lead Producer to help us realise our vision for an inclusive multi-generational celebration that reflects the rich diversity of Lewisham borough.

Purpose of the role

The 'Festival Lead Producer' role involves working in partnership with a wide number of stakeholders to both curate the content and practically deliver the festival, details in role profile below. A contracted event production company will partner and provide infrastructure. The Lead Producer will work closely with this team, delivering programme details within timescales to allow feasibility of delivery.

Responsible to: Lewisham Council, Cultural Partnership Manager

Contract: Freelance, Fixed-term: September/October 2026 - July/August 2027. Initially part-time see below.

Rate of pay: £325 per day

Working commitment for role: There is some flexibility around applicants' current commitments. Please contact the team to discuss your situation.

• 3 days a week October/Nov (Sept if available)
• 4 days a week Dec (holiday break), Jan, Feb, March, April
• 5 Days a week May, June, - festival delivery 10 July
• 6 days post festival delivery to wrap up

Location: Lewisham Council Offices, Laurence House Catford SE6 4RU, plus working from home, working on-site at Mountsfield Park and travel to local partners.

Key working relationships: Lewisham Council Services and staff; Lewisham Council elected Councillors; Peoples Day Steering Group; Young Mayor and advisors and Youth Service representatives; businesses; Sponsors and Grant making bodies; festival production partners; voluntary and community sector; musicians and their management/promoters; artists; cultural and creative organisations and charities.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a highly committed and experienced community focused outdoor events producer who can join us at this critical and exciting time ahead of Lewisham People's Day 2027.

People's Day is a unique festival which includes a wide-reaching programme traditionally with a mix of stages and areas including:

• Youth Stage (Blue Stage); Big Top programmed music stage; Sound System area; Sports Arena; Children's Stage; Fairground Rides.

The festival includes the community ecosystem in Lewisham, with many stalls from council services and voluntary, community and equalities sectors. Plus, corporate stalls and food and beverage traders.

People's Day, Festival Lead Producer - Role Profile

• Management of an Assistant Producer to support workstreams.
• Curation of the festival programme, in partnership.
• Management of contract of the production company, acting as client officer.
• Lead on fundraising and income generation.

Fundraising

• Lead on fundraising and income generation.
• Work with council colleagues to identify and target fundraising opportunities.
• Initiatives including securing local and national sponsorship; earned income through festival trade stalls; and grant fundraising where appropriate.

Contract Management

• Contract management of the production company - acting as client officer.
• Work collaboratively with the appointed production company on all aspects including mapping and layout, ensuring any onsite requirements are met.

Person Specification Festival Lead Producer

About You Festival Lead Producer

• Experienced and passionate about community focused programming.
• Experience in income generation and fundraising, entrepreneurial as well as strategic.
• Knowledge of developing systems for event evaluation.
• Experience working in partnership with diverse communities and with people from all backgrounds. Valuing authenticity, cultural relevance and community voices.

Necessary Skills Festival Lead Producer

• Minimum 5 years' experience producing complex events / outdoor events.
• Experience managing contracts and budgets exceeding £150,000.
• Experience of working with local authorities (could be as an officer or a partner).
• Experience commissioning artists.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Proven experience of managing the delivery of ambitious projects on time and on budget, with a strong commitment to sustainability.

Desirable Skills Festival Lead Producer

• Local knowledge and connection to Lewisham or South-East London.

Personal Attributes Festival Lead Producer

• A confident and highly organised working approach to planning and delivery.
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• A strong communicator, able to communicate across different sectors and stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across both operational and creative processes.
• A strong commitment to sustainability and understanding of climate change agendas.
• Ability to work at pace with a flexible approach - and remain calm and focussed.