Live Build Manager

Nineyards is a dynamic team of designers, makers, brand experts, and producers headquartered in north Dublin city. Initially specializing in production design, we have grown into one of Ireland’s leading full-service experience agencies. We excel in tackling complex challenges, pushing creative boundaries, and delivering outstanding real-world experiences across various channels and markets.

Our collaborative approach drives innovation, making the impossible possible.

Role: Head of Live Build & Install

Overview

The Head of Live Build & Install will lead all temporary physical build, installation, and de-rig operations across Nineyards’ live events and experiential activations.

This is a senior operational leadership role responsible for:

• Build strategy and delivery standards
• Budget accuracy and margin protection
• Logistics and site execution
• Build team and supplier coordination
• Warehouse and asset oversight
• Repeat activation optimisation

The role will work closely with Producers and the wider leadership team to ensure all physical builds are delivered safely, efficiently, profitably, and to the highest creative standard.

Core Responsibilities

1. Department Leadership & Operational Oversight

• Lead the Live Build & Install function across all projects.
• Establish clear delivery standards, processes, and documentation.
• Oversee warehouse prep, load-ins, installations, strikes, and storage.
• Act as senior on-site lead for complex builds.
• Ensure consistent H&S compliance and best practice.

2. Commercial & Budget Ownership

• Own build budgets across fabrication, install, logistics, and de-rig.
• Work closely with Producers during quotation stage to ensure accurate, commercially viable pricing.
• Protect margin through cost control and efficient resourcing.
• Identify build efficiencies across repeat activations.
• Develop frameworks for build cost forecasting.

This role is not just operational — it is commercially accountable.

3. Resource & Team Management

• Coordinate internal build crew and external contractors.
• Build and maintain a trusted network of fabricators and suppliers.
• Allocate resources effectively across concurrent projects.
• Identify future team structure needs as Nineyards grows.

4. Quality Control & Technical Oversight

• Oversee fabrication standards and installation quality.
• Troubleshoot on-site technical or structural challenges.
• Ensure creative intent is translated accurately into physical reality.
• Bridge the gap between creative design and physical execution.

5. Asset & Rental Opportunity Development

• Oversee physical inventory, scenic assets, tools, and infrastructure.
• Implement structured asset tracking and storage systems.
• Identify opportunities to formalise and grow Nineyards’ rental offering.
• Assess opportunities to develop proprietary build assets.

Definition of Live Build & Install

Includes all temporary physical installations with defined install and de-rig timelines, including:

• Brand activations
• Exhibition stands
• Temporary retail/window installations
• Seasonal activations
• Scenic builds for events
• Experiential environments requiring fabrication, dressing, and physical infrastructure

(Excludes permanent architectural fit-outs unless agreed separately.)

Required Experience

• 7–10+ years in live events, experiential production, or scenic build environments
• Demonstrated experience leading site installations
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing build budgets
• Hands-on fabrication knowledge
• Confident managing contractors and crews
• Strong understanding of H&S compliance

Key Attributes

• Calm under pressure
• Commercially minded
• Structured and process-driven
• Collaborative with creative and production teams