Job Description
WHAM Assistant - Manchester (Seasonal) Company Overview Founded in 2007 by Mike and Alison Battle, Lapland began with a simple but powerful purpose: to honour the wonder of childhood at Christmas. Frustrated by the poor quality of festive experiences available for their own four boys, the Battles set out to elevate this moment of childhood and reimagine the Father Christmas myth through original storytelling, meticulous set design, and emotionally resonant live theatre. Their ground-breaking immersive show opened in 2007 and immediately captured the attention and hearts of parents nationwide. Powered by their purpose, the couple partnered with Hollywood set designers and West End performance professionals to produce an experience of unprecedented quality and detail. With an NPS of 72 (outperforming industry icons in the entertainment space), Lapland's customer loyalty is second to none and has now welcomed nearly 2 million 'believers,' with tickets selling out on release for what the press now terms 'the Glastonbury of Christmas'. Today, the Lapland Group is a fast-growing purpose driven entertainment business spanning the three pillars of Live, Product and Studios. In 2024, Lapland's eCommerce revenues grew tenfold, driven by the launch of magical at-home products like personalised Letters from Lapland…. (Advent calendar and soon, a Christmas Eve Experience?). These products extend the Lapland world into the home, deepening belief and connection beyond the physical experience. At the same time, our original story universe continues to scale through media. In 2023, Lapland launched its first podcast, Elfcast, which achieved No. 1 in the UK Family Charts and ranked in the global top 10 over Christmas. With plans to expand into audio and content year-round, our IP and characters are reaching audiences in new and emotionally resonant ways. With immersive Live experiences, high-growth eCommerce, and a rapidly expanding original content, Lapland is on a mission to become the definitive global Christmas brand anchored in belief, storytelling, and the enduring magic of childhood. Location: Lapland UK Live Site, Manchester: Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield SK119JY Manchester: Start Date: 1st November 2026; Preview Day: 4th November 2026; Opening Day: 7th November 2026; End Date: 24th December 2026; De-Rig: 27th December – 30th December Reports to: WHAM Manager (Manchester) Role Overview: The WHAM Assistant plays a critical role in ensuring continuity, maintaining standards, and supporting the smooth daily operational flow within the principles and FC departments. In this position, the WHAM Assistants support the daily WHAM operation, consistent delivery of department‑wide quality. The WHAM Assistant is expected to uphold the highest standards of practice across the department, ensuring that all health and safety procedures, WHAM protocols, and performance‑ready standards are consistently met. Strong communication skills and a calm, professional presence during high‑pressure and busy periods are essential. WHAM & Wardrobe Structure The WHAM room sits with in the wardrobe structure closest to our principal department. The Department is made up of three sub‑departments, each with a dedicated team assigned for the duration of the run: Principals: The principals department supports 50 performers daily... Father Christmas: Dedicated exclusively to our most iconic role, this department supports 50 Father Christmas performers throughout the day. Groups: Working with ensemble and crowd performers, Groups is a high‑energy, fast‑paced environment. Each day, over 200 elves are dressed across 15 different costume designs... Show & Shift Information: The show runs daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm, with a new audience beginning their journey every 30 minutes. WHAM shifts are split as follows: AM Shift: 6:00am – 3:00pm; PM Shift: 2:45pm – 11:45pm The Team & Opportunity: Per site, we are recruiting: 10 WHAM Assistants Pay Rate: £15.85 per hour, plus £50 per working day subsidy Your choice of contract basis - we can contract as PAYE or Self-Employed. Benefits: One on site meal per working shift; Lapland Shuttle bus from local train station to get to site; On-site parking for staff (Manchester); Holiday paid in full at end of the contract calculated at 12.07% of total hours worked; £50 Subsidy per working day to help with travel costs. Applicants must be authorised to work in the United Kingdom without the need for visa sponsorship. Lapland is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
