Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge
Salary £ 34000
Bush Theatre, London
Vacancy listed 2025-05-14
Application deadline 2025-06-29
Details
Artistic Policy and Programming 
  • Support the Artistic Director & Co-CEO in commissioning and nurturing news plays and ideas
  • Liaise with new writing agencies (UK-based and internationally) to communicate the Bush’s interests and to identify writers and scripts for the Bush – in accordance with the artistic strategy
  • Ensure that the Bush has a slate of high quality plays available for production by underrepresented writers, featuring a mixture of commissioned work and pre-existing scripts for UK premieres
  • Manage submissions from new writing agencies and co-producers ensuring a response is received and making relevant recommendations during programming and Artistic Planning meetings

Advocacy and Networking
  • Develop and maintain excellent external industry networks
  • Foster new partnerships with creative organisations including writing agencies and broadcasting companies
  • Regularly attend new plays, workshops, readings and showings, and be an ambassador for the Bush, its approach and its work
  • Support the Bush team’s understanding of the commissions, productions and writers we are working with and how to engage productively with our work 

Script Development and Productions
  • With the Associate Dramaturge jointly lead on the dramaturgical development of commissioned work and other work in development, acting as dramaturg for Bush Theatre produced and co-produced shows and supporting visiting shows as required
  • With the Producers and Associates, provide dramaturgical and pastoral support for writers and directors on attachment with the Bush Theatre
  • With the Associate Dramaturge maintain responsibility for the coordination and delivery of Research and Development processes for work on the slate

Talent Development
  • Working in collaboration with the Artistic team to develop and implement a strategy to ensure the Bush is engaging the finest new writing talent from the broadest possible backgrounds
  • Working in collaboration with the Artistic team to create and manage other talent development schemes
  • Ensure the pipeline to production for writers engaged in talent development.
  • Uphold the theatre's values of collaboration; ensuring routes through from community and talent development programmes to Bush Theatre stages
  • With the Associate Dramaturge produce research and development workshops and sharings, including casting, appointing creative teams, and providing dramaturgical support

Bush Writers’ Group
  • With the Associate Dramaturge recruit and manage the Bush Writers’ Group – an annual cohort of six writers on attachment at the Bush
  • Organise meetings and be the main point of contact for the Bush Writer’s Group, and all events associated with the schemes

Unsolicited Scripts programme
  • With the Associate Dramaturge manage and oversee the processing of all solicited/agency and unsolicited scripts received, including offering feedback to playwrights and responding to enquiries from writers and agents as appropriate

Writer’s Room
  • Oversee scheduling of the Bush Writers’ Room – our dedicated writing space in the building for writers on attachment - ensuring it is maximised as a resource to support Bush writers.
  • Mentor writers on attachment, in residency and during production and development

Management
  • Lead the Literary team including the Associate Dramaturge and freelance readers; being the first point of contact, distributing scripts and ensuring each response is logged and writer responded to
  • Take responsibility for the recruitment, induction, development, supervision and line management of Literary team staff
  • Work closely with the Lead Producer in contracting Bush commissioned writers to bring agreements through to execution, liaising with agents as appropriate
  • As required negotiate and agree terms and conditions for all Research and Development contracts
  • Analysis demographic data of commissions and other engagements, following up with strategy to diversify if necessary

Administration
  • Manage and monitor the Literary budget and Literary invoices
  • With the Associate Dramaturge, administrate the casting, contracting and organising of all Research and Development on Bush Theatre commissions and Bush Writers’ Group scripts
  • Report on activity and the pipeline as required by the Executive team including ACE annual survey data and Action plan updates for Board papers
  • Identify and administer applications for literary awards
  • As required carry out research on writers, theatres and new writing trends
  • Support the Development Team in identifying opportunities for funding writing programmes, and supporting them in reporting requirements
  • Liaise with Marketing to ensure information and copy for Literary pages is kept up to date on the Bush Theatre Website 
  • Scheduling and booking travel, accommodation and theatre tickets as required

General
  • Keep up to date with developments in new writing
  • Attend read-throughs, sharings, preview, press and supporters’ nights and other Bush Theatre events as required
  • Attend regular Company meetings and programming meetings.
  • Actively develop and implement green policies and practices for the department
  • Adhere to, and actively contribute to, Bush Theatre policies, including Equalities (diversity, access, and equal opportunities), Environmental and Health & Safety
  • Maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible, without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of the Bush Theatre.
  • Act always in the best interest of the Bush Theatre
  • Any other duties as reasonably required


Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience:
  • Significant experience as a dramaturg of new plays and / or productions
  • Strong financial skills including drafting and managing budgets
  • Strong administrative skills including department systems
  • Experience of dealing with agents and negotiating contracts.
  • Knowledge of the UK theatre landscape
  • Experience of identifying and developing emerging new writing talent
  • The ability to work collaboratively and form effective partnerships internally and externally
  • Excellent organisation and planning skills with proven ability to work flexibly under pressure, to prioritise and to meet deadlines
  • Proven excellent communication skills, written and verbal including the ability to be persuasive and sensitive

Essential Attributes:
  • An affinity for the mission, vision and work of the Bush Theatre and a passion to play a key role in shaping and achieving the theatre’s success
  • A positive attitude with a high level of self-motivation and ability to work on your own initiative
  • A genuine and demonstrable commitment to maintaining the broadening of cultural diversity and access across all areas of the Bush Theatre
  • A demonstrable commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming work environment
  • Flexibility in relation to duties and working hours which will require evenings and weekends.

Desirable:
  • Experience of using Microsoft Office suite or Google suite
  • Direct experience of the UK Theatre / WGGB Agreements
  • Productive and wide ranging contacts in the theatre sector
Benefits

Interest-free season ticket loan (after probation) for employees.
Cycle to work scheme for employees.
Complimentary tickets to all Bush productions subject to availability.
Enhanced holiday and additional holiday for length of service.
Birthday holiday.
Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave policies.
20% discount on food and drink at the Library Cafe Bar.
Access to a confidential counselling service.

This vacancy has now been closed