Production Manager - Experiential BTL activation and Trade Marketing experience
Job Description
About the Company - Our client is seeking a Production Manager to join their dynamic and fast growing marketing agency. The company is an independent creative and marketing agency founded in 1996, now in its 30th year, with offices in Sydney and Dubai. It specializes in creating branded experiences, retail and shopper environments, event productions, and large-scale activations.
Its work is delivered to premium standards, with a strong focus on exceptional quality, meticulous execution, and meeting demanding timelines. Operating as a small, senior team, the company values ownership and accountability, empowering its people to manage projects from concept through to completion rather than passing work through multiple layers.
About the Role
For our client we are looking for a Production Manager to own the physical delivery of their activations in the region, from the moment a concept is signed off to the moment the last crate leaves site.
This is a hands on role covering three things: pricing the build accurately, managing the fabrication, and running the install. You will be the person who tells the creative team what is buildable, tells the client what it costs, tells the supplier what is expected, and stands on site at 2am making sure it is right.
You will typically be running several projects in parallel at different stages, with budgets ranging from AED 50,000 to seven figures.
What you will do
Estimating and quoting
- Interpret creative concepts, renders and technical drawings, and translate them into accurate bills of quantities and production estimates
- Source and negotiate with fabricators, printers, AV, lighting, rigging and specialist suppliers to build competitive, well structured quotes
- Present costings with clear line items, assumptions, inclusions and exclusions, so clients understand what they are buying
- Identify cost drivers early and advise the creative team on buildability, materials and value engineering before a concept goes to client
- Track quoted versus actual cost through delivery, control variations, and protect project margin
Production and build management
- Own the production programme from award through to install, including drawing approvals, sampling, fabrication milestones, QC checkpoints and delivery windows
- Issue clear, complete production packs to suppliers so nothing is left to interpretation
- Conduct workshop visits, review mock ups and pre builds, and sign off finishes against brand standards
- Work with the design and studio team on technical drawings, mark ups and revisions
- Manage freight, customs clearance and logistics for regional and international shipments
Site delivery
- Lead site surveys, access checks, method statements and risk assessments
- Run install and de rig, directing in house and third party crews
- Own permits and approvals: Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality, venue and landlord requirements including malls, hotels, DWTC, Expo City and Dubai Harbour
- Be the decision maker on site when something does not fit, does not arrive or does not work
- Manage safe working practice, contractor documentation, insurances and site conduct
- Handle snagging, client walkthrough and handover, then de rig, storage and asset reconciliation
Commercial control
- Raise supplier purchase orders, verify invoices against what was actually delivered, and challenge overcharges
- Keep production trackers and job files current for internal reporting and client reconciliation
- Close jobs out properly, including final costs, asset registers and post project review
What you will need
Essential
- Minimum five years in production, technical or build management within experiential, events, exhibitions, retail or shopper marketing
- At least two years in the GCC, with a working supplier network in the UAE
- Demonstrable track record on large scale builds: activations, exhibition stands, retail installations, festival or event footprints
- Fluent reading of technical drawings, with working AutoCAD or SketchUp literacy sufficient to mark up and interrogate a drawing set
- Proven estimating ability, not just supervision. You should be able to price a build from a render and defend every line
- Strong grasp of materials, finishes and fabrication methods, and what they cost
- Practical knowledge of UAE permitting, venue compliance and site safety requirements
- Valid UAE driving licence
- Fluent English, both written and spoken
- Willing to work overnight installs, weekends and event periods when projects demand it
Advantageous
- Experience delivering in Saudi Arabia, and understanding of the compliance and logistics differences
- Background with premium spirits, luxury or automotive clients, and the finish expectations that come with them
- IOSH, NEBOSH or equivalent safety certification
- Experience with bonded goods, alcohol handling and the licensing sensitivities in market
Package
- Competitive salary, to be confirmed based on experience
- Standard UAE package including visa and medical insurance
- Small, senior, non bureaucratic team with direct access to leadership
- Genuine ownership of projects for globally recognised brands
