Talent Buyer – Fixed Term/Freelance
Job Title: Talent Buyer
Location: Bristol
Employment Type: Fixed-Term / Freelance
About Us
We are a forward-thinking company specialising in events, marketing, and entertainment. Our mission is to deliver exceptional experiences through innovative event programming, strategic marketing, and strong promoter relationships. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for talented individuals to join our team and contribute to our success.
We are an organisation with a commitment to promoting equal opportunities at the heart of its ethos. Lakota maintains a policy that lineups should be balanced, inclusive and be representative of Bristol, a diverse city with a fantastic musical heritage.
As a business, we like to be fully engaged with what is going on in the city of Bristol and, in particular, in the community of St Pauls. We support city-wide projects and those that benefit the community locally to business.
Lakota is committed to equal-opportunity employment. We celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture, welcoming applications from all qualified individuals, irrespective of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability, and veteran status.
About the Role
We are seeking a skilled and experienced Talent Buyer to join our team on a fixed-term basis. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and booking talent for live events, ensuring a seamless experience for both performers and audiences. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with artists, agents, promoters, and venue teams to deliver exceptional entertainment experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Talent Sourcing & Booking:
- Research and identify suitable talent for events, ensuring alignment with audience preferences and event goals.
- Build and maintain relationships with artists, agents, and promoters to secure bookings.
- Negotiate contracts, including performance fees, technical riders, and hospitality requirements.
- Event Planning & Coordination:
- Collaborate with venue teams to confirm event logistics such as production needs, ticketing plans, and marketing strategies.
- Coordinate with local opening acts where applicable to complement headline performances.
- Manage event budgets, ensuring profitability while meeting quality standards.
- Attend live shows or showcases to scout new talent and assess their suitability for upcoming events.
Administrative Duties:
- Maintain accurate records of contracts, schedules, budgets, and settlements.
- Provide timely updates to internal teams regarding bookings and event progress.
- Ensure compliance with venue policies, union agreements (if applicable), and legal requirements.
Experience:
- Proven experience as a Talent Buyer or in a related role within the live entertainment industry.
- Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure favourable terms for venues or events.
- Excellent knowledge of music genres, audience preferences, and market trends.
- Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.
- Strong communication skills for liaising with agents, artists, promoters, and internal teams.
- Familiarity with budgeting processes and financial management for events.
Preferred Skills
- Experience working in venues of varying sizes (e.g., theaters, arenas, nightclubs).
- Knowledge of technical riders and production requirements.
- Proficiency in event management software or CRM tools.
- A background in marketing or promotions is a plus.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Opportunity to work on high-profile events with leading industry professionals.
- Access to a vibrant network of artists and entertainment professionals.
- A collaborative team environment that values creativity and innovation.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about live entertainment and have the skills to deliver outstanding talent bookings and meet the qualifications outlined above, we’d love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and cover letter detailing why this role excites you to info@lakota.co.uk
Applications close May 3rd.