We are looking for a Head of Play Development to join the National Theatre New Work Team.
The Head of Play Development is a senior role within the New Work Department (NWD), supporting the Director of New Work and the artistic leadership in delivering new work for the slate and stages of the National Theatre.
The role involves a dual function of project and artist development alongside a deputising function for the NWD, working closely with the Head of Studio in delivering the strategy of the NWD.
The role requires experience in talent development and is a leading dramaturgical position, in working with writers, directors and theatre-makers as part of helping to build a diverse slate of projects at scale.
Alongside the ability to offer an articulate and informed dramaturgical conversation to senior and emerging artists, it calls for experience in building productive creative working relationships, identifying artists and projects of promise, ultimately forging connections between creative practitioners and the opportunities within the New Work Department and on NTs stages.
Blending an understanding of literary development, the commissioning process and the journey between idea and production, the successful candidate will have a comprehensive working knowledge of the producing context and repertoire of the National Theatre and the theatre ecology in London, the UK and beyond.
In collaboration with the Director of New Work and Head of Studio, the Head of Play Development will help lead the dramaturgical team and nurture the connection and communications between the NT Studio where our new work begins and the main building where the programming and producing teams bring work to the stages.
The successful candidate will have the following: Demonstrable experience of literary development and an in-depth and practical understanding of the commissioning process Seasoned experience working with senior artists and delivering productions at scale Leadership experience in artistic development Previous experience of developing new work into production, building creative teams with writers, directors or other theatre makers Previous experience and a track record as an incisive, communicative and assiduous reader and assessor of scripts