Production Manager

Background

Tate’s vision is to serve as artistically adventurous and culturally inclusive art museums for the UK and the world. We deliver this through activities in our four galleries across the UK (Tate Liverpool, Tate St Ives, Tate Britain and Tate Modern), our digital platforms and collaborations with our national and international partners. At the heart of Tate is our collection of art, which includes British art from the 16th century to the present day, and international modern art from 1900 to the present day.

You can find further information about Tate on our website: www.tate.org.uk

About the role

The purpose of this role is to manage the development, production, and delivery of a wide range of design projects for Tate Design Studio, and to ensure that all output is produced on time, to budget, to a high standard, and in accordance with Tate’s brand guidelines.

About your team

The Tate Design Studio works across all of Tate. The Studio works to create intelligent, original, beautifully executed design that upholds Tate’s reputation as a leader in the visuals arts and helps us to attract, communicate with, and delight audiences.

The Design Studio is part of the Audiences Division which brings together Tate’s public facing teams to drive audience reach, reputation and revenue. The Studio manages design, print production and elements of digital production for all four Tate galleries and subsidiary companies, across a wide range of departments including Marketing, Membership, Curatorial, Visitor Communications, Development, and Tate Eats.

Design work includes every touch point with audiences – including advertising creative, digital design, exhibition design, Tate Etc. magazine and corporate publications, on-site signage, visitor resources, restaurant and café identities, corporate communications, and some commercial merchandise.

What you will do (Main Duties and Responsibilities)

• Lead on the project management and delivery of key design workstreams – including (but not exclusive to): Exhibition, display and interpretation graphics (2D) across all 4 Tate sites, Tate Etc. magazine, Tate Guide and programmes such as Uniqlo Tate Play. This will include print, production and installation management.

• Manage the design and production schedules for key design workstreams (examples listed above), balancing competing priorities and stakeholder requirements.

• Oversee all aspects of print production for Tate Design Studio, including the production management of all exhibition/ display graphics, Tate Etc magazine, the Tate Guide and all other print materials produced by the studio.

• Establish, embed and optimise strong systems and processes for project management and print production.

• Work with the Studio Manager to manage and maintain project schedules, prioritising work to ensure projects are produced to deadline and budget, chasing progress as needed.

• Be the key point of contact between client and designer – ensuring that all project stages, from brief to delivery, are clearly communicated and progress tracked and monitored, chasing content and feedback as required.

• Identify and manage all project risks, advising senior staff on key risks.

• Manage and evaluate of contractors and suppliers to work on, and produce, projects for Tate.

• Develop strong stakeholder relationships across the organisation with key internal stakeholders in relation to optimising the design effectiveness, design quality, and efficient commissioning and production processes.

• Lead and manage the delivery of design projects, working closely with Designers and Design Studio colleagues to plan their projects and support daily.

• Deputise for the Design Studio Manager when required.

• Support business strategy and implement systems to streamline processes and internal communication.

• Motivate, support, and contribute to the develop and growth of the Design Team, cultivating an inclusive and creative working environment.

• Be responsible for the tendering, procurement, and appointment process for external production services and print procurement in line with Tate financial procedures, raising POs and processing invoices as required.

• Liaise with external reprographics and print suppliers, including researching and recommending new suppliers to obtain best value and sustainability.

• Develop strong relationships with third-party contractors and suppliers.

• Ensure high standards are maintained in all design and print across Tate.

• Be an advocate for design quality at Tate and advise colleagues on best practice design and print production processes.

• Be an advocate for sustainability and responsible for bringing print and production sustainability issues to the fore for Tate.

• Be committed to good health & safety and access practice and ensure familiarity with Tate health & safety and access policies, procedures, and guidelines.

What you will bring to the team

• Extensive proven experience of design and print production management gained in a design agency or similar environment.

• Ability to confidently manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, managing conflicting deadlines and priorities, in a high pressured fast-paced environment.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with the personal impact and ability to lead, influence, and work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders across a complex organisation to deliver results.

• Excellent organisation, planning, scheduling and administrative skills, with the ability to prioritise and coordinate multiple activities to meet deadlines.

• Attention to detail and quality control.

• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop others and engender a sense of teamwork and common purpose.

• Strong business management skills and experience including financial planning, budget management, fee negotiation, and working with finance systems.

• Experience of procurement and management of external print and production suppliers.

• Positive and proactive approach, with the ability to problem solve.

• Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of relevant (2D) design technical processes and materials to support exhibition and display installations.

• Understanding of the principles of equality and diversity and the ability to apply and promote these in practice at work.

• An interest in and commitment to the work of Tate.