We are currently looking for an experienced Head of Planning to lead the planning, scheduling and diary management of all events across our iconic venues and 11 acre site, on a full time permanent basis.
The successful candidate will oversee the administration and management of the diary that includes all activity across the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery, and more. Activity includes everything from artistic and commercial events, to maintenance days and site installations. You will work closely with the Director Arts Planning & Producing and be responsible for ensuring the diary reflects both the artistic vision of the Artistic Director and the financial objectives of the Southbank Centre, working collaboratively with key stakeholders from across departments including Finance, Production, Marketing, and Commercial teams.
This role requires a forward-thinking, data-driven leader who can manage a busy and complex planning process with strong attention to detail, while exploring innovative technological solutions to enhance efficiency. You will be instrumental in managing diary allocations, balancing the needs of the artistic programme with commercial and operational requirements, and ensuring all scheduling is aligned with Southbank Centre’s broader strategic objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Overseeing the scheduling and planning of all events across multiple venues, ensuring balance between artistic, commercial, and operational needs.
2. Managing the long-term diary planning (6 months to 5 years in advance) and ensuring the short-term diary is efficiently organised by line managing the Planning Manager.
3. Collaborating with the Director of Arts Planning and Producing, Artistic Director, and other senior leaders to ensure the diary supports the artistic vision and financial targets.
4. Utilising new technologies and data management tools to streamline planning processes, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
5. Maintaining strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, including the Heads of Art Forms, Commercial and Event Management teams, and external partners.
We’re looking for someone with:
1. Significant experience in a senior administrative role within a large-scale artistic or cultural venue.
2. Strong understanding of a wide range of art forms, from classical and contemporary music to performance, visual arts, and public programming.
3. Expertise in project management, scheduling, and data management and analysis, with an eye for accuracy and detail.
4. Proven ability to work collaboratively with senior stakeholders across departments, and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
5. Keen understanding and knowledge of new technologies and software to support the planning process, including a desire to constantly develop, explore and evolve that knowledge.
Please download the attached Job Description for a full overview of this role responsibilities.
We welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian or Ethnically Diverse background or those who are D/deaf or disabled. If you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments such as a BSL interpreter for your interview please indicate this on your application form. Interviews will take place at The Southbank Centre. If you would like to speak to someone about any adjustments or concerns you can also email hrteam@southbankcentre.co.uk and we will be in touch with you to make the necessary arrangements.
By attracting people to work for us from a broad range of backgrounds with diverse attitudes, opinions and beliefs we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. The Southbank Centre is a warm and welcoming place to work, with great aspirations and ambitions to create great and accessible work for all. We pride ourselves in building a supportive environment to enable the development of our staff.
If you feel you have just some of the required skills and experience but meet the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply; we are very open to continuing the training and development of individuals who are self motivated to acquire new skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is Europe’s largest arts centre and one of the UK’s top five visitor attractions, occupying an 11-acre site that sits in the midst of London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames.
Its impact and reach are significant and it is respected internationally as a convener of great artists and diverse audiences and for being entrepreneurial and innovative in response to a volatile and changing financial landscape. The Southbank Centre is a charity that is determined to demonstrate its ambition to remain innovative, disruptive and experimental in what it does and to be highly relevant to the artists it wants to work with and to the audiences it wants to attract.
The Southbank Centre believes that a commitment to diversity and inclusion helps it be a more relevant and effective organisation.
Our Artistic Mission
The Southbank Centre exists to provide great artistic experiences for everyone. Through art, we invite our visitors to enjoy shared cultural encounters together. To gaze. To listen. To be moved. To discover a new idea or a new perspective. We are proud that for the last 70 years, the performances and exhibitions here have moved millions. We have provided a home for art and for artists. A community centred on art, where everyone, no matter their job, helps make the experience.
At the Southbank Centre we believe in:
Creating welcoming spaces
1. Because upholding respect, safety and belonging is at the heart of vibrant teams and communities.
2. This means us all taking responsibility for shaping and protecting a kind, compassionate and inclusive environment for others.
Making wonderful experiences together
1. Because we all contribute to amazing artistic moments at the Southbank Centre.
2. This means us all understanding and valuing the different parts we play in creating enjoyment and success.
Sparking new thinking
1. Because different views and thought-provoking conversations inspire innovation, learning and growth.
2. This means everyone having a desire to learn and being open to evaluating how they think and work.
Benefits & Perks:
As well as working at one of London's most popular and exciting sites the successful candidate will also benefit from the following:
1. A min 5% employer’s pension contribution (rising to 9% depending on your employee contribution), from day 1 of employment
2. 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time employees)
3. Hybrid working model (3 days office working, 2 days from home subject to operational need)
4. Enhanced sick pay
5. Enhanced family leave benefits
6. Up to 30% discounts at onsite retail, food and beverage vendors
7. Staff ticket offers for Southbank Centre events
8. Free entry to Hayward Gallery
9. Free/discounted entry with other reciprocal organisations
10. Free staff yoga
11. Free access to emotional support from a confidential specialist Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7
12. Season ticket loan
13. Cycle to work scheme
The deadline for applications is 23:59 on the closing date for the job posting.
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