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Literary Manager, Sophie Cairns Productions

  •  UK-wide
  •  Under £10K
  •  Part time
  •  Closes February 20, 2026
  •  Sophie Cairns
  •  hello@sophiecairns.co.uk
  • #Theatre
New

Description

Job Summary

Seeking a Literary Manager to manage the submissions and reading process for an exciting new Prize for playwriting: The Mainstage Prize.

Job Description

The Mainstage Prize is a new literary award for playwriting, focused on identifying and championing ambitious new plays with the scale to reach large audiences and endure in the repertoire. Each year the Prize will focus on plays with a particular theme or genre, this year beginning with Horror.

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Literary Manager to oversee the submissions, reading, and shortlisting process for the Prize. This is a key role ensuring the integrity, fairness, and rigour of the judging process, and supporting the Prize's ambition to identify exceptional new writing.

The fee for this project is £8.5k for a fixed term from April 2026-March 2027. Approximately 10 hours of work expected per week on average, with more time required while submissions are being processed, and significantly less after the submissions have been shortlisted.

Job Requirements

Skills & Experience

  • Experience reading and assessing new writing for theatre
  • Strong understanding of contemporary playwriting and theatrical storytelling
  • Experience managing readers, literary processes, or script development schemes
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills
  • Ability to manage large volumes of material to deadline
  • Existing network of freelance readers to draw on for recruitment (desirable)

Job Responsibilities

Submissions & Reading Process

  • Manage the full intake of submissions, ensuring eligibility and compliance with submission guidelines
  • Oversee the division and allocation of scripts between readers
  • Track submissions, reader progress, and deadlines throughout the reading period
  • Act as the primary point of contact for readers

Reader Recruitment & Management

  • Recruit and contract a diverse pool of freelance readers
  • Brief readers on the aims, values, and criteria of The Mainstage Prize, and provide ongoing support

Process Design & Quality Control

  • Create and maintain a Reading Handbook, outlining criteria, scoring, feedback expectations, and confidentiality requirements
  • Ensure consistency and fairness across reader reports and assessments

Shortlisting & Finalist Selection

  • Collate reader reports and scores to produce longlists and shortlists
  • Work closely with the judging panel to support the finalist selection process
  • Participate in selecting finalist plays

Useful Links

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] no later than 10am on February 20th.

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