Royal Court Theatre looking for new Literary Assistant

Applications are invited for the post of: Literary Assistant
Responsible to: Deputy Literary Manager

The Royal Court is the home of the English Stage Company Limited (ESC) and is the UK’s leading theatre dedicated to new writing.

Up to 16 plays a year are staged between two theatre spaces (the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs and the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs) at the Royal Court’s home on Sloane Square. Over 100,000 people visit the Royal Court every year and over 100,000 more see our work elsewhere, including transfers to the West End and New York, National and International touring, London residencies in Tottenham and Pimlico, and online.

A significant amount of play development activity takes place year-round. This work aims to find and nurture the most talented new writers and develop the highest quality plays, for which the Royal Court is internationally renowned. There is an ongoing programme of writers’ attachments, readings, workshops and playwriting groups.

The Royal Court Theatre also has two commercial subsidiaries, Royal Court Theatre Productions Ltd (RCTP), which facilitates the transfer of Royal Court productions to the West End and ESC Catering Limited set up to run the catering operation at the theatre.
The Royal Court is the home of the English Stage Company Limited (ESC) and is the UK’s leading theatre dedicated to new writing.

MAIN PURPOSE

The Literary Assistant provides administrative support to the Literary Department, supporting the Literary Manager and Deputy Literary Manager and ensuring the smooth running of the department.
The Literary Assistant will work closely with the Literary and Projects Trainee.

SCRIPTS

• The management and administration of all scripts – solicited and unsolicited – received by the Royal Court including logging and monitoring progress of submissions on the scripts database.
• Acknowledging all script submissions and award submissions where necessary; communicating with playwrights, agents and others about the status of submitted scripts
• Meeting with readers returning scripts and ensuring that any recommended scripts are brought to the attention of the Literary Manager or Deputy Literary Manager.
• Preparation of standard return letters.
• Returning all submitted scripts efficiently on the basis of reports provided by reader, Deputy Literary Manager or the Literary Manager.
• Organising the distribution of scripts for the fortnightly artistic team script meeting and administrative support thereof.
• Producing the playtexts and / or programme pages and cast sheets for all productions. This involves research, editing, layout, distribution proofs for correction, liaison with publishers on layout and deadline, liaison with the development department on appropriate supporter / sponsor credits and logo placement and liaison with the marketing department on placement of internal and external adverts within the playtexts and cast sheets.

WRITERS’ GROUPS

• Supporting the writers’ groups; managing, logging and reading incoming scripts and working with the Deputy Literary Manager on day to day administration of the groups as required.
• Assisting the Deputy Literary Manager in compiling feedback letters to writers’ group members.
• Dealing with general enquiries about the writers groups and other literary department activities.
• Ensuring monitoring information for all groups is collected and filed on a regular basis.

GENERAL

• Managing the correspondence of the department through email and post, including organising and responding to show invitations and script queries.
• Providing support for readings, workshops and events linked to the literary department, assisting the Projects and Literary teams on these events as required.
• Supporting the Associate Directors in their work with writers, as required.
• Attending theatrical performances and readings outside of the theatre as a representative of the Royal Court’s literary department (in addition to attending performances of Royal Court productions).
• Providing day to day administrative support to the literary department, including booking travel and accommodation if required.
• Organising and attending writers’ nights and other events for writers as required.
• Attending staff, departmental and other meetings.
• Handling all Literary office post and requesting stationery and office supplies.
• Communication with IT support on any issues associated with networked computers
• Compliance with the Royal Court’s Equal Opportunities, Diversity, Health and Safety and Environmental policies at all times.
• To carry out any other duties required by the theatre in pursuance of the above objectives.
• Personal specification

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Previous experience of administrative work within a theatre or arts organisation
• A demonstrable interest in new writing and a good knowledge of contemporary theatre in the UK and beyond.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Proactive problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to plan and meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with established and emerging writers, artists and theatre professionals
• High level of computer literacy, including MS word, excel and outlook and some database experience
• Ability to respond quickly and reliably to internal and external enquiries
• Flexibility and experience of communicating effectively across departments
• Highly organized and self motivating
• Friendly and approachable manner Genuine understanding of and support for the Royal Court’s artistic vision

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• Experience of database management

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

Title of post: Literary Assistant
Hours: Standard office hours are 10am – 6pm. Some evening and week end work will be required.
Salary: £21,000 per annum.

Holiday entitlement: 20 days per year, plus 8 days for statutory holidays. Rising to 25 days per year, plus 8 days for statutory holidays after 2 years service

Contract: Permanent

Notice period: 1 month.

Pension The Royal Court operates a contributory company pension scheme for all permanent employees. The company contribution is capped at 5% of basic salary. The employee is free to contribute at any level. We also operate an alternative workplace pension scheme. Details of both schemes will be available at point of contract.

Other Benefits:

• Complimentary tickets for preview performances, subject to availability and the Royal Court’s staff ticket policy.
• Interest free season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, free life assurance, subsidised exercise classes.
• Discount on meals and drinks in the Royal Courts bar and Kitchen.
• Discount on all purchases in the theatre’s Bookshop, subject to discount policy.

Application Procedures:

Please note that only applications submitted on the Royal Court’s standard Application Form can be considered. Application Forms can be downloaded here

Once the Application and Equal Opportunities Forms are completed please return, by the closing date below, to:

Email: recruitment@royalcourttheatre.com

By post: Recruitment English Stage Company Royal Court Theatre Sloane Square London SW1 8AS

Closing date for applications: 10am 19 October 2015

Interviews will be held during the week commencing: 26 October 2015

The Royal Court is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer and encourages applications from minority ethnic and disabled groups, as they are under-represented amongst our staff.

The English Stage Company (no. 231242) is a publicly funded registered charity.

Closing date: 19 October 2015 at 10am

Source: Royal Court Website