Programming Director

YTL Live is the operating company behind some of the UK’s most exciting entertainment destinations, including the iconic Aviva Arena, the historic Spitfire Hangar and the supersonic YTL Live Entertainment District at Brabazon. We believe the best moments are shared by the people on the stage, behind the scenes and in the crowd.

We are seeking a high-impact, commercially driven Programming Director to curate a diverse, dynamic and culturally exciting calendar of events that appeals to broad audiences and reflects the evolving landscape of live entertainment, ahead of Aviva Arena opening in late 2028.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will operate at the forefront of the live entertainment industry, leveraging your network, deal-making capability, and market insight to secure world-class content. You will play a critical role in positioning the venue as a premier destination while ensuring alignment with a high-profile naming rights partnership and long-term brand ambitions.

What you’ll do:
You will act as the commercial engine behind the Arena’s live events strategy, leading from the front in securing content, driving revenue, and delivering a high-performing and balanced events calendar.

Your core responsibilities will be as follows:

• Working closely with the CEO, set and lead a multi-year programming strategy that delivers sustained revenue growth, high utilisation, and a market-leading events portfolio.
• Proactively originate, negotiate, and secure high-value events across music, sport, entertainment and corporate sectors as well as other emerging formats.
• Own and optimise a multi-million-pound event programme, driving yield, margin, and commercial performance across circa 140 events annually.
• Build and leverage an extensive network of promoters, agents, rights-holders, and partners to create a strong and consistent pipeline of content.
• Lead on commercial deal structuring, pricing strategy, and calendar optimisation to maximise profitability and audience demand.
• Define ticketing strategy and lead operations to ensure capacity attendance and realise revenue targets.
• Work in close partnership with operations and event production teams to ensure the delivery feasibility of events without compromising commercial opportunity.
• Curate a programme that balances ‘Tier 1′ content with long-term audience development and community engagement.
• Ensure all events support and enhance YTL and Aviva’s brand positioning and reputation.
• Contribute at executive level to overall venue strategy, driving cross-functional alignment and commercial success.
• Manage the relationship with our strategic ticketing partner and lead the Ticketing and Event Booking team (circa 7 FTE at opening).

What you’ll need
To succeed in this role, you will be a commercially astute leader with a proven ability to drive revenue through programming excellence, strategic partnerships, and high-value deal-making within the live events ecosystem.

Your experience in this industry sector will demonstrate:

• Significant leadership experience in live event programming, venue management, or the wider entertainment industry.
• Proven track record of delivering and scaling commercially successful event portfolios.
• Strong, credible network across promoters, agents, rights-holders, and touring organisations.
• Demonstrable success in originating and closing high-value commercial deals.
• Deep expertise in ticketing strategy, pricing, and revenue optimisation.
• Experience operating within high-profile, brand-sensitive environments, ideally with naming rights or major sponsorship considerations.
• Exceptional commercial acumen combined with strategic thinking and execution capability.
• Strong leadership presence with experience managing senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to balance commercial performance with brand integrity, reputational risk, and community impact.
• Solid understanding of UK regulatory, licensing, and event delivery frameworks.