Producer: Theatre

We are looking for a Producer to develop and nurture relationships with artists, particularly those based in the Northwest. Optimising the Artistic Strategy within the Business Plan, and working with teams across Shakespeare North, this role is central in delivering a thriving artistic programme that includes a range of visiting companies, one off events and development opportunities.

Shakespeare North Playhouse, ‘Theatre Building of the year 2023’ is a unique new arts venue, which opened in the summer of 2022. It presents a vibrant contemporary cultural and learning programme featuring home co-produced and visiting performances, as well as comedy, music, community work, hire and events and a range of education and training activities.

The Shakespeare North Trust (SNT) is the Charitable organisation which is the operator of Shakespeare North Playhouse. The Trust also has two wholly owned subsidiaries within the Group structure. The subsidiaries are limited companies.

Our Vision: “Inspired by Shakespeare. Bringing Joy: Together, we tell stories that feel like our own, that change the way we see the world – opening doors, inviting debate, inspiring a love of learning, and bringing joy to this place; Our Shakespeare North Playhouse.”

Our Mission – The Big Goal: “We share world-class theatre, activities and conversations inspired by Shakespeare and relevant to all of us.”  

Our Promise:  At Shakespeare North Playhouse we commit to being ‘Bold and Brave’. It is a promise we make to each other internally as a team, to our visitors, patrons, and partners, and to all our artists and makers as we all come together to create a wonderful place.  

Our Values and Behaviors:  The organisational values define Shakespeare North Playhouse. They create a framework for the way in which the organisation wishes to achieve the vision and objectives. The team are firm in the belief that what is achieved is only half of the plan, as how success is attained is of equal importance. It is critical that there is a framework of how people will thrive together, as a team, with partners, visitors, and audience. 

Innovative – Honest – Collaborative – Creative

Equal – Supportive – Accountable – Useful

The Role

Working across a range of cultural events and theatre projects at Shakespeare North Playhouse, the Producer will deliver an innovative programme that celebrates a range of voices, for our audiences in Knowsley and beyond.

The Producer will work closely with Shakespeare North Playhouse Learning and Engagement, Technical, Audience and Catering & Events teams to deliver the programme across all three spaces (the Cockpit Theatre, Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden and The Studio).

This is a permanent, full-time contract equivalent to 40 hours per week. Due to the nature of the role, you will be required to work weekends and evenings.

Place of Work 

The Producers place of work will be Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, Knowsley. Occasionally work will be required at alternative locations including partners with whom Shakespeare North co-produces.

Salary and hours of work 

Shakespeare North’s full-time employees work 40 hours, normally over 5 days. Due to the nature of this role however, and to meet the demands of the building, the post holder will be required to be flexible in their approach to work. Some evening and weekend work will be required.

The full-time salary will be £27,768 per annum. 

Main Duties  

Programming and Artistic Development 

• Contribute to the development and delivery of Shakespeare North’s artistic programme working to the ambition, objectives, and targets in the Business Plan.
• Proactively seek out new works for programming in the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden and The Studio always seeking to champion a diverse range of voices and innovative creative practice.
• Lead the programming of Shakespeare North’s early years programme across all three performance spaces, building and nurturing relationships with external partners to deliver a representative programme of work for young audiences.
• Nurture and develop artistic relationships, meeting regularly with artists, especially those from the Liverpool City Region and in line with the artistic strategy.
• Support the Artist Development Assistant Producer in leading the organisation’s Origin8 Artist Development Programme.
• Identify artists who will benefit from artistic development and support from Shakespeare North.
• Regularly see productions in consultation with the Head of Producing with a view to programming and building creative networks.
• Attend performances at Shakespeare North as and when required by the Head of Producing.
• Coordinate hospitality events for artists and visiting companies, including but not limited to company “Meet and Greet” sessions, opening night planning and attendance in rehearsals.
• Support the Head of Producing to deliver the co-productions, this includes working on commissioning contracts, co-production contracts with partners, managing co-production budgets and supporting all function of the pre-production phases.
• Foster and maintain supportive and collaborative relationships with artists, creative people and partners
• Actively seek out individual artists and companies who would benefit from developing their creative practice and supporting artist development.
• Keep up to date with developments in the performing arts locally, nationally and internationally and seeing shows as discussed with the wider Productions and Programming team.
• Represent the theatre when agreed at conferences, seminars etc. Deputising for the Head of Producing when necessary.
• To support the Culture, Learning and Engagement team as needed in the successful delivery of projects

Project Management and Administration  

• Work closely with the Culture, Learning and Engagement team in scheduling and contracting of the performances across all performance spaces.
• Attend internal planning meeting as required by the Head of Producing and be a key point of contact scheduling events and performances on YesPlan for the Studio and Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden.
• Actively engage with the organisations key working groups to support the growth of the organisations internal strategies.
• Project manage performance projects across the building including in the Cockpit Theatre supporting specific projects identified by the Head of Producing including co-productions, Evenings With, one off events, comedy, music and received programme.
• Be a key point of internal contact within the building for specific productions, for example liasing with Audience team, Production, Finance, HR, Learning and Engagement and Events and Catering.
• Manage project budgets as required and as set out by the Head of Producing.
• Work to achieve deliverable targets outlined in Shakespeare North Playhouse business plan.
• Contribute to reporting, evaluation and monitoring as an integral part of the delivery of programmes and in line with the reporting requirement of Shakespeare North’s stakeholders,

Person Specification  

Background and Experience 

• Minimum 2 years producing experience in theatres or as a freelance producer with a demonstrable track record of successful project delivery, generation of new partnerships.
• A proven ability to curate performances from an artistic, audience focused and practical point of view.
• An understanding of theatre ecology and potential culture and learning programming partners.
• An understanding of the challenges faced by independent artists and creative practitioners across the cultural sector.
• An enthusiastic and active champion of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Access and a demonstrable track record of championing a diverse range of creative voices.
• Experience in producing co-productions and small to midscale theatre productions at assitant level or above.
• Experience in nurturing artistic projects from the initial idea through to completion and evaluation.
• Experience creating and managing budgets.
• Experience working on co-production budgets and contracts.
• Experience working across a range of departments within a theatre or cultural building.
• Experience working with artists and supporting talent development.
• Experience in delivering a range of projects in different settings with different audiences and communities.
• A proven ability to communicate to a high standard with a range of partners.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Experience in delivering multiple projects simultaneously and excellent time management.

Skills and Knowledge: 

• Strong IT skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word
• Strong writing skills across a range of platforms and objectives (email, social media, funding applications)
• Strong communication and collaborative skills and experience in working with a diverse range of people.

Personal Qualities: 

• Strong interest in and commitment to the arts and culture.
• Understanding of or interest in learning about co-created or participatory practice.
• Highly organised and efficient.
• A team player who works collaboratively and fosters a positive work environment.
• Able to manage priorities.
• Resourceful, open minded, and solution focused.

How to Apply 

If having reviewed the job description and information about the Shakespeare North Playhouse you consider yourself to be a good fit for this role, please email a CV and a cover letter of application to recruitment@shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk . Please also complete our equality monitoring form linked below.

The cover letter of application should be of no more than 2 sides of A4 addressing how your experience matches the role description, why you are interested in the role and why you think your skills and experience would make you a good candidate. Alternatively, you may submit a video/audio file of no more than 10 minutes in length. You can do this via WeTransfer or an alternative file transfer service.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 15th May 2026. 

Diverse representation 

We encourage and welcome applications from people whose background and experience are under-represented in the cultural sector. We are committed to inclusive working practices and understand there may be barriers people face when considering an opportunity like this. If you are interested in applying for this role but feel there are things that may prevent you from getting involved, please get in touch and let us know how we can support you in making your application and throughout the selection process.

Equality Monitoring 

As part of your application, please make sure to fill out the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form . The information you provide will not impact on the consideration of your application and will be used solely for the purpose of monitoring. 

Data Protection 

Information provided by you as part of your application will be used in the recruitment process. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application in the recruitment process. Once the process is completed the data relating to unsuccessful applicants will be stored for a maximum of 6 months and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, your application will be retained and form the basis of your personnel record. By submitting your application, you are giving your consent to your data being stored and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process, equal opportunities monitoring and your personnel record if you are the successful candidate. In submitting your application, we will assume that consent by you is given. We refer you to Shakespeare North’s job applicant privacy notice which you should read before applying for this role.

If you have any questions or would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact us via email at recruitment@shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk