Production Design Assistants

We are looking for two Production Design Assistants to join the National Theatre's Production team on a 12 Month Fixed Term Contract.

The role is an opportunity for designers who have recently graduated or are in the early stages of their careers to understand the process of creating and realising designs for large scale and complex shows. The Design Assistants will have the opportunity to support and assist established designers whilst engaging with the various in-house departments of the National Theatre.

Over a 12-month period, the Design Assistants will work across all National Theatre productions and learn how designers interact and communicate with technical departments in the building to achieve their designs, with the opportunity to work directly on productions.

There are two positions available:

• One of the positions is supported by the Maria Björnson Memorial Fund. Maria Björnson was an award-winning set and costume designer for theatre, ballet and opera. She worked for the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera, the Royal Ballet, Glyndebourne Opera, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, in the West End and on Broadway.
  Please note this position will start on 25th May 2026
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• The second position is supported by the Max Rayne Design Bursary. Max Rayne was once chairman of the National Theatre as well as a successful philanthropist who saw the importance of the arts and sought to both support and champion the performing arts. His guidance and stewardship helped enable the National Theatre to gain its worldwide reputation.
  Please note this position will start on 16th November 2026
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PLEASE NOTE:In your Cover Letter, please confirm which of the two bursaries you wish to apply for. If you do not state which position you are interested in within your Cover Letter, then we will assume you are interested in either.

The successful candidates will have the following:

• A degree or other qualification in theatre design and/or scenography.

• Competence in model making, AutoCAD and Photoshop.

• A portfolio of their own design work.

• Professional experience designing shows or Assisting/Associating other designers.

• Documented experience of designing set and/or costume on productions inside and outside of college.

If that sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

PLEASE NOTE:
Please provide your portfolio as part of your application. This should be uploaded in the 'Additional Files' section and should be no larger than 5MB.

Download the Job Description here.

• Complimentary staff tickets for shows and guided tours, subject to availability and policy
• 25 days annual leave increasing up to 32 with length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Development Programmes via e-learning platform, and specialist in-person training relating to role
• Access to interest-free season ticket loan and cycle scheme partnership
• Enhanced sick pay
• Family Friendly policies including Family leave and Support leave
• Family-friendly employer – we are a member of Parents and Carers in the Performing Arts (PiPA)
• Pension schemes with Legal & General and NEST
• Sabbatical option, subject to agreement and policy
• On-site staff canteen and social facilities
• On-site occupational health support
• In-house mental health and wellbeing advisors providing workplace counselling and support
• Wellbeing programme of events, including mental health awareness, financial wellbeing, skills sharing and opportunities to get active
• Exclusive staff talks to hear more about NT productions, past and present, from leading practitioners
• Discounted access to National Theatre at Home
• Volunteer leave – one paid day per year to volunteer for your chosen charity
• Discounts in the NT’s bars, cafés, restaurants, and bookshop, as well asin local businesses (from Wagamama to gyms), on and around the South Bank
• Access to retailer discounted gift cards and a cash-back-on-spending card

Please note

The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Monday 16th March 2026 at 12 noon.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of applications. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you…