Literary & Development Associate

The Literary and Development Associate will be solely focused on the development of future projects and will also help coordinate the group of freelance associates we have.

Wessex Grove is a West End theatre production company that was set up in 2020 by Benjamin Lowy and Emily Vaughan-Barratt. We are thrilled to be expanding and recruiting for this position as we look to the future of the company. We are delighted to have produced some wonderful shows in the last four years and are excited for the next chapter. We are looking for a new member of our team, who shares our taste, values, and drive. 

Job Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Managing all incoming scripts, reading, fielding, and categorizing/filing them, liaising with agents and writers, identifying what is a correct fit for Wessex Grove and what is not.
• Providing dramaturgical support for new work.
• Managing the commissions we already have in progress and taking responsibility for new commissions.
• Managing the development process of projects – workshops, readings etc.
• Working with senior artists on tasks such as finding adaptors for plays.
• Working with the Producers to identify new ideas, including IP that could be exciting and artistically valuable to move into a theatrical space.
• Working with the Producers to identify ideas for specific artists – for example, compiling short lists of plays for particular actors that are looking to do theatre.
• Going to the theatre regularly to keep abreast of new and existing artists. 
• Representing Wessex Grove at industry events; external readings, openings, workshop presentations etc. 

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who:

• has direct experience working in theatre literary management 
• has dramaturgical experience 
• has experience working with senior artists
• enjoys reading plays!
• wants to be part of a growing team and help form exactly what this job is 
• shares our artistic taste and is excited by the type of work we are doing 
• is driven by the possibilities that commercial theatre present.

Wessex Grove is an equal opportunities employer. The organisation employs equal employment opportunities regardless of ethnic origin, gender, nationality, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, or medical history. As such, we operate a merit-based recruitment system. 

This role is full time however there is flexibility for the role to be 4 days a week if the right candidate requires it. 

To apply, please send a CV and short cover letter (no longer than one page) stating why you believe you are the right candidate for this job by 8 AM on 8th April. 

First round interviews will take place on 10th and 11th April on zoom, with second round interviews on the afternoon of 15th April in person.