Fri, 31 Oct 2025 published - Fri, 31 Oct 2025
Job Summary
We’re looking for a theatre director who shares our vision and energy, someone who wants to shape the future of theatre with us.
Job Description
We’re on the hunt for a new Associate Artistic Director.
We make big exhilarating productions that centre around a brilliant idea. We often find those ideas in unexpected places. The same is true of the people we work with. So, we welcome applicants from all walks of life.
Our new Associate Artistic Director will take a senior creative role in one of the UK’s most vital touring companies. You’ll work alongside Holly to develop and deliver an ambitious artistic programme that connects deeply with artists and audiences nationally. Creating thrilling theatre with social substance.
You’ll also lead on education and community partnerships, empower emerging theatre directors through our Director development programme, Headlong Origins, and drive inclusive engagement that resonates nationwide.
What’s important is that we’ll share similar values. We’re brave. We thrive on a challenge. We do a lot with a little. We believe the pursuit of justice is inextricably linked to high-quality art. We exist to provoke progress.
We are an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Last year, we established a new operational model with place‑based partnerships in Bolton, Leeds and Oxford. Over the last few months, we have moved our ‘home ground’ to Oxford, and the team frequently works from Oxford, as well as our new London office in Somerset House.
Our new Associate Artistic Director will be expected to work from both bases frequently, as well as travel to other co‑producing and partner venues. There is flexibility built into this model, and we look forward to negotiating with the right person and working to ensure that there are no barriers to their work with Headlong.
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Contract: Full time, 2 year fixed term
Location: Hybrid working in Oxford, London, from home and on tour
Apply by: Monday 24th November, 12pm midday
Interviews: w/c 8th December (online) and w/c 15th December (London)
Job Requirements
We’re looking for a theatre director who shares our vision and energy - someone who wants to shape the future of theatre with us.
This is a role for a theatre director who thinks nationally and acts locally. Who thrives in collaboration, believes in access and justice, and wants to help rewrite the narrative of who gets to make and lead theatre in this country.
Essential Experience & Knowledge
* At least five years experience of directing within a professional theatre context
* Proven dramaturgical skills and commitment to diversifying the theatrical canon
* Experience of being in a mentoring position
* Experience of and commitment to leading community, youth or education-based work
* A strong passion and understanding of national touring and regional theatre contexts
* A deep commitment to ensuring access and inclusion within the arts, eco‑practice, touring and creative equity
For the full Person Specification and more information, please download the Application Pack from our website.
Job Responsibilities
Key aspects:
* Deputising for the Artistic Director on a diverse range of projects
* Taking a leading role in the development of our community and artist development programmes
* Nurturing Headlong’s relationships with theatres and artists across the UK
In addition you will:
* Direct, develop and/or support Headlong productions
* Support the Artistic Director on the artistic programming of Headlong alongside our Literary Manager & Dramaturg
* Lead and design our annual Headlong Origins programme for emerging directors
* Design and/or direct community‑based projects that live alongside our productions for 18‑25 year olds
* Create meaningful learning experiences for schools with a focus on Oxford, Leeds and Bolton alongside all our productions in collaboration with our Producing Team
* Support our developmental and strategic work
* Contribute to our Justice Work
For the full list of the role’s responsibilities, please download the Application Pack from our website.
Please send the following to jobs@headlong.co.uk using the heading “Associate Artistic Director”:
* A supporting statement** outlining why you want to work for Headlong and how you meet the person specification
* Your CV
* Fill in our anonymised Equal Opportunities Monitoring form (link can be found in the Application Pack)
** The supporting statement can be in any format that feels most suitable for you. This can include a video or sound file (maximum of 5 minutes), a presentation (slideshow, PowerPoint or keynote), or a written statement (maximum of 2 sides of A4).
Headlong is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we strive to create an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences. We guarantee first round interviews to candidates who identify as Deaf, disabled and/or are from the Global Majority and meet the minimum criteria outlined in the person specification. We will support and provide access requirements.
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