National Theatre
South Bank
London SE1 9PX
Job Description
Job Title
Assistant to the Directors and Associates
(18 Month FTC)
Responsible to
Senior Assistant to the Directors
Tel +44(0)20 7452 3333
Fax +44(0)20 7452 3344
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
The National Theatre
Our Purpose
The National Theatre is dedicated to the constant revitalisation of the great traditions of the British
stage and to expanding the horizons of audiences and artists alike. In its three theatres on the South
Bank in London, it presents an eclectic mix of new plays and classics from the world repertoire with
seven or eight productions in repertory at any one time. The National Theatre aspires to reflect in its
repertoire the diversity of the nation’s culture. With a commitment to openness, wide reaching
engagement and access for everyone, the National shares its resources, energy and creativity with
audiences and theatre-makers around the globe; using its Studio for research and development of
new work, offering extensive learning and public engagement programmes, touring and broadcasting
in the UK and internationally, and creating innovative digital and content.
Our Vision
The National Theatre of Great Britain strives to be a national centre of theatrical arts, central to the
creative life of the country and unmatched in the world for scale, range of repertoire and audience
reach. It aspires to produce to the highest standards by attracting the best artists and staff and by
providing an environment which stimulates them to realise the fullest extent of their talents. Education
and public engagement are founding principles for the NT and are central to our vision of the future.
Our Objectives
The National’s core aim is to present a balanced artistic programme, staging around 20 productions a
year from the whole of world drama. Through our repertoire, the NT seeks to represent the widest
range of voices and is tireless in trying to reach more people. We aim to be an inspirational,
internationally recognised resource for lifelong learning about and through theatre, opening up the
theatre, its repertoire, skills, resources and artistry to people of all ages. The NT operates in a
financially and environmentally responsible manner, whilst being open to ideas and innovation and to
all the possibilities that a thriving creative environment can imagine and achieve. As a national
theatre, the NT takes responsibility for fostering the health of the wider British theatre.
The Directors’ Office
The Directors’ Office is the first port of call for visiting artists and creative teams, and the support
network for the Director (Nicholas Hytner), Executive Director (Nick Starr), Deputy Executive Director
(Kate Horton), Associate Directors and other members of the Senior Management team. It is a busy
open-plan office, and the department’s remit is wide and varied, often taking on unexpected tasks and
responsibilities. The Directors’ Office support team is currently made up of three people:
A senior assistant who heads up the team, with primary responsibility for supporting Nicholas Hytner;
a second assistant, with responsibility for Nick Starr and Kate Horton; and an administrative assistant.
We will no longer be employing an administrative assistant, but instead have created a new (slightly
more senior) role of Assistant to the Directors and Associates.
Purpose of Job
This is a new role, created in order to support the growing workload of the Directors’ Office team. The
role will support the two assistants and manage projects on their behalf. The role will also provide
significant support for the Directors, the Associates and other members of the team, in their work and
more generally in the smooth running of the Directors’ Office. It will be a reactive role, responding
quickly and efficiently to the needs of the team and directors. This is an 18-month fixed-term position,
which would suit an industry professional with a number of years’ experience in theatre, and a clear
passion for theatre and the arts, keen to work at the core of the National Theatre.
Duties and responsibilities
1. Supporting the team in their work, and the work of the Directors’ Office, and covering the tasks of
other team members in their absence, specifically assisting the Director, Nicholas Hytner, when
the Senior Assistant is out of the office.
2. Managing projects and tasks delegated from the two fellow assistants, and from the Director,
Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director or Associates.
3. Organising various events generated by the Directors’ Office, such as Press Nights and VIP visits.
4. Arranging the diaries and correspondence of the Associates Marianne Elliott and Howard Davies,
if necessary.
5. Managing the NT’s house seat system on Tessitura.
6. Welcoming guests and providing refreshments for visitors and directors.
7. Running the administration of the Directors’ Office by performing tasks such as:
 Answering phones
 Arranging couriers
 Organising incoming and outgoing post
 Booking tickets and travel for the Directors and Associates
 Coding credit card statements
 Taking dictation, and typing-up meeting minutes
 Preparing documents and making arrangements for meetings
 Maintaining office supplies
 Keeping the Directors’ Office in good order by, for example, keeping the room tidy,
replenishing tea and coffee supplies, cleaning mugs, and watering the plants.
And any other administration as required
Person specification
The ideal candidate would have the following attributes:
1. Excellent organisational skills, with a sharp eye for detail
2. Excellent communication skills and an ability to deal positively and courteously with a wide-range
of people
3. Great team player, with an enthusiasm to help others
4. Knowledge of and passion for theatre and the arts
5. Significant experience in theatre administration
6. Good computer literacy (Word, Excel, Outlook are essential, and Tessitura is desirable)
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Smoking Policy
Please note that the National Theatre is a no-smoking building.
Alcohol Policy
All NT staff are expected to remain alcohol free during working hours and take personal responsibility
for presenting themselves in a fit state for work i.e. alcohol free.
Outline of Terms and Conditions
TITLE OF POST:
ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATES (18 MONTH FTC)
HOURS:
35 hours per week, 10:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday, although
additional hours may be necessary to fulfil the requirements of the
post.
SALARY:
£23,000 pro-rata, paid by credit transfer on the 15th of each month.
ANNUAL LEAVE:
28 days in the first year, including Bank Holidays, increasing with
length of service thereafter.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
3 months.
NOTICE PERIOD:
1 month during probationary period, 3 months thereafter.
PENSION:
The National Theatre operates a Stakeholder Pension scheme with
Legal & General. If you wish to become a member, you may opt to
contribute 4.5%, 6% or 7.5% of basic pay and the National will make
a matching contribution. The National also operates an alternative
pension scheme with NEST. Full details of these schemes are
available from the HR Department.
OTHER BENEFITS:
 complimentary tickets for performances, subject to availability
and staff ticket policy.
 staff canteen, cycle-scheme, interest-free season ticket loan,
childcare voucher scheme.
 discount for meals in the National’s two restaurants, Mezzanine
and Terrace Café, subject to discount policy.
 discount on the majority of books and play texts available from
the National’s bookshop, subject to discount policy.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted on the National’s standard application form and returned, including
any supplementary documents, by 9am Thursday 15 August 2013 using one of the following
methods:
E-mail:
jobs@nationaltheatre.org.uk
(quoting Assistant to the Directors and Associates in the subject line)
Fax:
020 7452 3270
Post:
HR Department, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
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The National Theatre is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer
HR Department
August 2013
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