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Head of Production and Licensing - Theatre and Live

  • Location: London
  • Salary: Negotiable
  • Job Type:Permanent

Posted about 19 hours ago

  • Sector: office support
  • Type: hybrid
  • Contact: Hannah Johnstone
  • Contact Email: hannah.johnstone@handle.co.uk
  • Start Date: ASAP
  • Expiry Date: 26 February 2026
  • Job Ref: BBBH112974

Head of Licensing and Production - Theatre and Live

Salary DOE

ASAP Start

About the role

This is a senior leadership role at the centre of a global theatrical and live entertainment portfolio. Working across a range of musical properties, the role supports the expansion of productions into both traditional and non-traditional live formats, in collaboration with world-class partners. The focus is on quality, consistency, and long-term value, creatively, commercially, and operationally.

The Theatrical and Live team is responsible for planning, developing, and overseeing licensed and joint venture productions worldwide. The work is highly collaborative and touches every part of the organisation.

As Head of Department, this role holds operational responsibility for the smooth running of the global theatrical licensing and production function. It is a leadership position for someone who enjoys being the point of connection, trusted by senior stakeholders, relied upon by the team, and respected by external partners.

Key responsibilities

Strategy, partners, and delivery

  • Work with senior leadership to shape strategy across the musical portfolio within theatrical and live entertainment

  • Oversee the operational delivery of licensed and joint venture productions globally

  • Manage the ongoing rhythm of partner relationships, including meetings, communications, follow-ups, and reporting

  • Ensure contractual obligations, approvals, reporting requirements, and delivery milestones are met

Senior leadership support

  • Deputise for the Business Development Director and Director of Production in internal and external settings when required

  • Represent agreed positions and progress outcomes across projects and partnerships

  • Take ownership of delegated decision-making and approvals within agreed frameworks

  • Provide clear, concise information and recommendations to support high-quality strategic decisions

Operational leadership

  • Lead the day-to-day operation of the Theatrical and Live team across commercial and production activity

  • Translate agreed strategy into clear plans, priorities, and delivery timelines

  • Monitor progress across all active licences and productions, resolving issues early and escalating risks appropriately

  • Act as the primary point of coordination, ensuring work progresses efficiently without unnecessary escalation

Workflow, prioritisation, and resourcing

  • Delegate effectively across the team, matching work to capability and capacity

  • Balance competing commercial and production demands while protecting creative and brand standards

  • Drive clarity around ownership, deadlines, and accountability

  • Plan resource in line with workload and contribute to budget planning and deal making

Cross-functional collaboration and governance

  • Act as the central operational link between Theatrical and Live and teams including Finance, Business Affairs, Brand and Franchise, Marketing, Music, and Consumer Products

  • Identify dependencies early and align stakeholders before issues escalate

  • Maintain and embed agreed processes, tools, and approval frameworks

  • Ensure documentation, approvals, and reporting are accurate, timely, and consistent

  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and ways of working as the portfolio grows

Team leadership

  • Provide calm, consistent leadership and guidance to the team

  • Ensure clarity around priorities, expectations, and objectives

  • Support performance management, development planning, and capability building

  • Foster a collaborative, solutions-focused culture across commercial and production disciplines

The ideal candidate will have

  • Significant experience in theatrical or live entertainment

  • A strong understanding of licensing, production, and commercial frameworks

  • Proven experience running complex operations across multiple projects and stakeholders

  • Experience supporting senior leaders and acting as a trusted delegate or proxy

  • Excellent organisational, prioritisation, and execution skills

  • Strong stakeholder management and communication abilities

  • Confidence operating autonomously, with sound judgement around escalation

  • A calm, dependable approach under pressure

  • A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset

  • High levels of discretion, attention to detail, and personal credibility

  • Comfort working behind the scenes to enable others to succeed

  • A genuine passion for musical theatre and live entertainment

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This is a rare opportunity to sit at the centre of a global theatrical portfolio and help shape how major musical properties are realised on stages around the world. It offers real influence, trusted senior responsibility, and the chance to work on ambitious projects while staying close to the work that matters. To find out more apply now or send your CV across to hannah.keighley@handle.co.uk

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Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.