SENIOR PROGRAMMER - TRAFALGAR UK THEATRES
About the role
JOB DETAILS
Job reference
REQ01245
Date posted
20/10/2025
Application closing date
31/10/2025
Location
The Strand
Salary
Available upon request.
Package
Contractual hours
40
Basis
Full time
Job category/type
Theatre Programming
Job description
ABOUT TRAFALGAR ENTERTAINMENT (TE)
Co-founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017, Trafalgar Entertainment is a premium international live entertainment business focussed on new productions, venue ownership, Performing Arts education, theatre ticketing, the distribution of live-streaming innovative content and the provision of great theatres where people can come together to share in the experience of live entertainment. TE is home to Trafalgar Theatres, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Event Cinema, Trafalgar Tickets, Stagecoach Performing Arts, Drama Academy, West End ticketing company London Theatre Direct, Stagedoor, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, and Imagine Theatre.
We are passionate about entertainment, audiences, and the live experience and we value Creativity, Collaboration, Excellence and Respect.
ABOUT THIS ROLE
The Senior Programming Manager will play a key role in developing and delivering a vibrant programme of theatrical productions and live entertainment across our regional theatres. Working as part of the Central Programming team, this role will support the wider diary management process, liaise with promoters and producers, and ensure that content aligns with the organisation’s artistic and commercial ambitions.
KEY RESPONSBILITIES
Programming & Content Development
- Source and negotiate theatrical productions and live entertainment content for regional venues under the direction of the Director of Regional Programming.
- Build strong relationships with promoters, producers and agents to secure high-quality, commercially successful shows.
- Ensure the programme reflects the diversity and interests of local and regional audiences.
Diary & Process Management
- Manage elements of the central show diary in collaboration with the Programming team.
- Produce and update programming documents, reports and schedules to ensure accurate information sharing.
- Adhere to internal systems and communication processes for event confirmation, contracting, and on-sale procedures
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with Theatre Directors to understand venue needs and opportunities.
- Liaise with marketing (local, central, and external) to ensure effective campaign planning and alignment with programming objectives.
- Collaborate with ticketing teams to maximise sales potential and ensure data accuracy.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with all internal departments and external partners.
Financial & Commercial Awareness
- Contribute to financial modelling and deal-making to ensure strong returns on programmed events.
- Monitor performance of content and provide regular reports as directed by the Director of Regional Programming.
ABOUT YOU
- Demonstrable experience in theatrical and live entertainment programming. Minimum of 5 years experience is essential.
- Strong organisational and diary management skills, with excellent attention to detail.
- Effective communicator, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (internal and external).
- Commercially aware, with a detailed understanding of deal structures, ticketing dynamics, and audience development.
- Ability to use analytical data to inform decision making, driving commercial advantage.
- Proactive, self-motivated and able to work on your own initiative as well as part of a wider team.
- Extensive and demonstrative knowledge of the UK theatre and live entertainment is essential.
If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit a CV and Covering Letter as to why you think you are suitable for the role via the Recruitment Portal.
Trafalgar Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in groups where we are under-represented, for example people with disabilities, from minority ethnic groups, older returners and people who are neurodivergent.
We are curious, courageous, and ambitious, empowering people to challenge and innovate in pursuit of excellence.
About Trafalgar Entertainment
Co-founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017, Trafalgar Entertainment is a premium international live entertainment business focussed on new productions and the distribution of live-streaming innovative content.
TE is home to Trafalgar Theatre, Theatre Royal Sydney, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Trafalgar Releasing, Stagecoach Performing Arts, London Theatre Direct, Luke Shires Marketing, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, Chiswick Cinema and More2Screen.
In 2017, the company acquired Trafalgar Releasing who broadcast productions live worldwide, from The RSC, Glyndebourne, Met Opera, Bolshoi Ballet and Royal Opera House to David Gilmour, Muse, Coldplay, BTS, The Cure, Metallica, Shakira, Depeche Mode, Gorillaz, Little Mix, Nick Cave and Trafalgar Theatre Productions’ The King and I, live from the iconic London Palladium among many other events.
The following year, Trafalgar Entertainment acquired Stagecoach Performing Arts, the UK market leader in extra-curricular Performing Arts tuition with over 2,000 schools and classes and over 50,000 students in the UK and worldwide.
In 2019, Trafalgar Entertainment began new partnerships with Luke Shires Marketing, More2Screen and London Theatre Direct, one of the UK’s leading ticket retailers and distributors. Later in the year, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions was launched to create theatrical work including new and classic musicals and plays for London, the UK regions and internationally with award-winning theatre director and producer Jonathan Church as Artistic Director.
In 2020, Trafalgar Entertainment became the new operator of the Theatre Royal Sydney which is planned to reopen late 2021 as the cornerstone of TE’s Asia-Pacific operation. The largest shareholder of Trafalgar Entertainment is Barings Alternative Investment, which operates as a subsidiary of MassMutual Holding LLC, with assets under management of US$771 billion. Other shareholders include Greg Dyke, James Tanner, NWH Consulting Ltd, Sir Richard Branson and Griffon Corporation.
The production arm of Trafalgar Entertainment, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, produces new shows and classic musicals in London and internationally including the Tony and Olivier award-winning smash hit musical, Jersey Boys, which will open London’s new Trafalgar Theatre in 2021, a major revival of the classic musical, Anything Goes, starring Megan Mullally, Robert Lindsay, Felicity Kendal and Gary Wilmot at the Barbican Theatre in the summer of 2021, the hilarious new comedy, Death Drop, at the Garrick Theatre, the 2021 World Tour of The Rocky Horror Show, the Lincoln Center’s award-winning production of The King and I at the London Palladium and worldwide, and a co-production of War Horse with The National Theatre in Australia and Asia-Pacific.
In the West End, productions have included On Blueberry Hill, The National Theatre’s A Taste of Honey starring Jodie Prenger, Peter Nichols’ A Day in the Death of Joe Egg starring Toby Stephens, Claire Skinner and Patricia Hodge, Equus by Peter Shaffer, the hit comedy Education, Education, Education, the acclaimed award-winning play Admissions starring Alex Kingston, new British musical Tom Morris’ The Grinning Man, Apologia starring Stockard Channing and Killer Joe starring Orlando Bloom. Other co-productions at the former Trafalgar Studios have included the two sell-out ground breaking productions: the Bush Theatre’s Misty and National Theatre’s Nine Night.
Co-productions include The Starry Messenger starring Matthew Broderick and Elizabeth McGovern at Wyndham’s Theatre, Mary Stuart starring Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams at the Duke of York’s, Jersey Boys UK Tour, the UK Tour and London season of The Messiah starring Hugh Dennis and The Height of The Storm at Wyndham’s Theatre starring Jonathan Pryce and Dame Eileen Atkins.
Before Trafalgar Entertainment, Howard and Rosemary built from scratch and ran for its first 25 years, one of the world’s largest and most successful live theatre businesses – the Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd (ATG). Under their leadership, ATG became a premier international theatre owner and prolific, successful global producer.
SENIOR PROGRAMMER - TRAFALGAR UK THEATRES
About the role
JOB DETAILS
Job reference
REQ01245
Date posted
20/10/2025
Application closing date
31/10/2025
Location
The Strand
Salary
Available upon request.
Package
Contractual hours
40
Basis
Full time
Job category/type
Theatre Programming
Job description
ABOUT TRAFALGAR ENTERTAINMENT (TE)
Co-founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017, Trafalgar Entertainment is a premium international live entertainment business focussed on new productions, venue ownership, Performing Arts education, theatre ticketing, the distribution of live-streaming innovative content and the provision of great theatres where people can come together to share in the experience of live entertainment. TE is home to Trafalgar Theatres, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Event Cinema, Trafalgar Tickets, Stagecoach Performing Arts, Drama Academy, West End ticketing company London Theatre Direct, Stagedoor, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, and Imagine Theatre.
We are passionate about entertainment, audiences, and the live experience and we value Creativity, Collaboration, Excellence and Respect.
ABOUT THIS ROLE
The Senior Programming Manager will play a key role in developing and delivering a vibrant programme of theatrical productions and live entertainment across our regional theatres. Working as part of the Central Programming team, this role will support the wider diary management process, liaise with promoters and producers, and ensure that content aligns with the organisation’s artistic and commercial ambitions.
KEY RESPONSBILITIES
Programming & Content Development
- Source and negotiate theatrical productions and live entertainment content for regional venues under the direction of the Director of Regional Programming.
- Build strong relationships with promoters, producers and agents to secure high-quality, commercially successful shows.
- Ensure the programme reflects the diversity and interests of local and regional audiences.
Diary & Process Management
- Manage elements of the central show diary in collaboration with the Programming team.
- Produce and update programming documents, reports and schedules to ensure accurate information sharing.
- Adhere to internal systems and communication processes for event confirmation, contracting, and on-sale procedures
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with Theatre Directors to understand venue needs and opportunities.
- Liaise with marketing (local, central, and external) to ensure effective campaign planning and alignment with programming objectives.
- Collaborate with ticketing teams to maximise sales potential and ensure data accuracy.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with all internal departments and external partners.
Financial & Commercial Awareness
- Contribute to financial modelling and deal-making to ensure strong returns on programmed events.
- Monitor performance of content and provide regular reports as directed by the Director of Regional Programming.
ABOUT YOU
- Demonstrable experience in theatrical and live entertainment programming. Minimum of 5 years experience is essential.
- Strong organisational and diary management skills, with excellent attention to detail.
- Effective communicator, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (internal and external).
- Commercially aware, with a detailed understanding of deal structures, ticketing dynamics, and audience development.
- Ability to use analytical data to inform decision making, driving commercial advantage.
- Proactive, self-motivated and able to work on your own initiative as well as part of a wider team.
- Extensive and demonstrative knowledge of the UK theatre and live entertainment is essential.
If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit a CV and Covering Letter as to why you think you are suitable for the role via the Recruitment Portal.
Trafalgar Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in groups where we are under-represented, for example people with disabilities, from minority ethnic groups, older returners and people who are neurodivergent.
We are curious, courageous, and ambitious, empowering people to challenge and innovate in pursuit of excellence.
About Trafalgar Entertainment
Co-founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017, Trafalgar Entertainment is a premium international live entertainment business focussed on new productions and the distribution of live-streaming innovative content.
TE is home to Trafalgar Theatre, Theatre Royal Sydney, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Trafalgar Releasing, Stagecoach Performing Arts, London Theatre Direct, Luke Shires Marketing, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, Chiswick Cinema and More2Screen.
In 2017, the company acquired Trafalgar Releasing who broadcast productions live worldwide, from The RSC, Glyndebourne, Met Opera, Bolshoi Ballet and Royal Opera House to David Gilmour, Muse, Coldplay, BTS, The Cure, Metallica, Shakira, Depeche Mode, Gorillaz, Little Mix, Nick Cave and Trafalgar Theatre Productions’ The King and I, live from the iconic London Palladium among many other events.
The following year, Trafalgar Entertainment acquired Stagecoach Performing Arts, the UK market leader in extra-curricular Performing Arts tuition with over 2,000 schools and classes and over 50,000 students in the UK and worldwide.
In 2019, Trafalgar Entertainment began new partnerships with Luke Shires Marketing, More2Screen and London Theatre Direct, one of the UK’s leading ticket retailers and distributors. Later in the year, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions was launched to create theatrical work including new and classic musicals and plays for London, the UK regions and internationally with award-winning theatre director and producer Jonathan Church as Artistic Director.
In 2020, Trafalgar Entertainment became the new operator of the Theatre Royal Sydney which is planned to reopen late 2021 as the cornerstone of TE’s Asia-Pacific operation. The largest shareholder of Trafalgar Entertainment is Barings Alternative Investment, which operates as a subsidiary of MassMutual Holding LLC, with assets under management of US$771 billion. Other shareholders include Greg Dyke, James Tanner, NWH Consulting Ltd, Sir Richard Branson and Griffon Corporation.
The production arm of Trafalgar Entertainment, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, produces new shows and classic musicals in London and internationally including the Tony and Olivier award-winning smash hit musical, Jersey Boys, which will open London’s new Trafalgar Theatre in 2021, a major revival of the classic musical, Anything Goes, starring Megan Mullally, Robert Lindsay, Felicity Kendal and Gary Wilmot at the Barbican Theatre in the summer of 2021, the hilarious new comedy, Death Drop, at the Garrick Theatre, the 2021 World Tour of The Rocky Horror Show, the Lincoln Center’s award-winning production of The King and I at the London Palladium and worldwide, and a co-production of War Horse with The National Theatre in Australia and Asia-Pacific.
In the West End, productions have included On Blueberry Hill, The National Theatre’s A Taste of Honey starring Jodie Prenger, Peter Nichols’ A Day in the Death of Joe Egg starring Toby Stephens, Claire Skinner and Patricia Hodge, Equus by Peter Shaffer, the hit comedy Education, Education, Education, the acclaimed award-winning play Admissions starring Alex Kingston, new British musical Tom Morris’ The Grinning Man, Apologia starring Stockard Channing and Killer Joe starring Orlando Bloom. Other co-productions at the former Trafalgar Studios have included the two sell-out ground breaking productions: the Bush Theatre’s Misty and National Theatre’s Nine Night.
Co-productions include The Starry Messenger starring Matthew Broderick and Elizabeth McGovern at Wyndham’s Theatre, Mary Stuart starring Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams at the Duke of York’s, Jersey Boys UK Tour, the UK Tour and London season of The Messiah starring Hugh Dennis and The Height of The Storm at Wyndham’s Theatre starring Jonathan Pryce and Dame Eileen Atkins.
Before Trafalgar Entertainment, Howard and Rosemary built from scratch and ran for its first 25 years, one of the world’s largest and most successful live theatre businesses – the Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd (ATG). Under their leadership, ATG became a premier international theatre owner and prolific, successful global producer.