Assistant Director

Department: Production

Responsible to: The Director and General Manager

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London, SE1 8NB

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: £878.32 - £974.94 per week

Role Summary

The role of Assistant Director provides a unique opportunity for early to mid-career directors to work with and learn from experienced professionals in the industry. The selected candidate will also be invited to connect further with the Old Vic and become embedded in our work during their time with us.

We are currently looking for an Assistant Director to work on our production of JULIE by Rebecca Frecknall, after Strindberg and directed by Rebecca Frecknall from March – May 2027.

Areas of responsibility

The position will span approximately 13 weeks. During this time, the Assistant Director will:

• Act as an Assistant Director on our production of JULIE at the Old Vic. The production begins rehearsals on 01 March 2027. Attendance is required on an exclusive first-call basis from the rehearsal start date until the Press Night on 20 April 2027, thereafter on a non-exclusive first-call basis until the end of the run on 29 May 2027.
• Supporting the work of the Director as required and liaising with the Old Vic Production team throughout the lifespan of the production.
• Take weekly notes during the run of the show to maintain its artistic standard, attending up to two performances per week.
• Take responsibility for understudy rehearsals.
• Support with preparation work on behalf of the Director as required, including any key meetings or auditions prior to rehearsals.
• Spend time with other departments at the Old Vic, either in person or remotely, becoming part of the Old Vic team, networking with staff and learning from creatives.
• Act as an ambassador and attend Development events where appropriate, learning about how the funding model works for an unsubsidised not-for-profit theatre.
• Collaborate with our Education and Community team as part of their programme of activity.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and the theatre's management may, at any time, allocate other tasks which are of a similar nature or level.

Person Specification

Essential

• Have directed at least one professional production or equivalent (drama school production, not rehearsed readings) and assisted on a number of professional productions of scale.
• Experience of working as an Assistant Director.
• Confident with research tasks to support the Director as required.
• Experience of working with understudies and confidence in planning and leading understudy rehearsals.
• Experience of working with high-profile artists.
• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to building a career as a professional theatre director.
• Candidates must also have the independent right to work in the UK to be eligible.

Florence Kleiner Bursary

As part of our commitment to attracting talent outside of London and to remove the financial obstacles that often prevent candidates from applying, the Old Vic are delighted to offer The Florence Kleiner Bursary to qualifying candidates in addition to the Assistant Director fee, if their application is successful.

This bursary seeks to provide an emerging director, currently based outside of London, with a year-long attachment to the Old Vic, which would begin with their appointment as Assistant Director on JULIE should the successful candidate qualify for this bursary.

While the Florence Kleiner Bursary and attachment are only available to those who meet these specific criteria, we welcome, encourage and shall equally consider applications from people of all backgrounds for the role of Assistant Director on JULIE.

The Florence Kleiner Bursary is £14,000 across 12 months and will be offered for living expenses to include relocation costs, rent, food and travel in addition to and any other paid work at the Old Vic or otherwise throughout the year. The successful candidate will receive the following:

• invitations to all of the Old Vic’s Press Nights throughout the engagement;
• access to industry networking opportunities;
• opportunities to take part in production workshops and assist on the Old Vic’s supporting programming strands, subject to the needs of the theatre;
• opportunities to support strands of work on Old Vic Education & Community programmes, subject to the needs of the theatre.

If you are eligible for The Florence Kleiner Bursary, please note this in your application. If you are invited for a second stage interview and are based outside of London, we will cover reasonable travel costs.

How to Apply

We understand that everyone is different and we want you to apply in whichever way you feel best shows your skills and experience. There are a range of ways that you can apply with us:

• 1. Sending a short video file of yourself (no longer than two minutes in length), detailing your experience, why you are applying for the role and what about working at the Old Vic interests you.
• 2. Sending a short audio file of yourself (no longer than two minutes in length), detailing your experience, why you are applying for the role and what about working at the Old Vic interests you.
• 3. Completing our application form.
• 4. Uploading your CV and covering letter, explaining why you are interested in the role and working at the Old Vic.

The Old Vic has made a commitment that all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for this job will be invited to interview.

All appointments are made subject to satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

The Process

The recruitment process for this role will be two stages:

• First stage interviews will take place remotely w/c 30 November 2026.
• Second stage interviews will take place in person on 08 December 2026.

The closing date for this role is Monday 23 November 2026 at 11:59pm. First conversations are likely to take place w/c Monday 30 November.

Equal Opportunities

We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of the global majority, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse and disabled candidates.

We may take positive action, in cases where candidates are equally qualified, to increase the employment of under-represented groups at the Old Vic.

In the event that we ask you to attend the theatre for a conversation and you are struggling financially, we may be able to reimburse you for any reasonable travel costs.