Head of Business Affairs

We are looking for a Head of Business Affairs to join the National Theatre Strategy Team. 

The purpose of this role is to provide effective and proactive Business Affairs support and strategic leadership to the co-CEOs, ExCom and key senior personnel, evaluating emerging commercial opportunities and risks, developing and supporting strategies relating to creative IP rights live, digitally and globally and future-proofing the National Theatre to thrive in an increasingly complex media and arts landscape.

The successful candidate will have the following: 

• Proven post-qualification experience in a senior business affairs role, as a commercial lawyer, or with extensive in-house relevant legal and business experience in the theatre/media/entertainment sector.
• Strong knowledge of digital, commercial and non-commercial theatre contracts and underlying rights and clearance issues including options and buy outs, distribution agreements, and digital terms and conditions.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of how to scale and adapt a range of business models (ie licensing, franchising, partnerships) to different routes to market (ie B2B, B2C).
• Entrepreneurial approach to innovation, and experience of exploiting brand value for commercial gain, and a pragmatic approach to risks therein.
• Proactive and collaborative, with the ability to work well as part of a small team and cross-organisationally.

If that sounds like you, this may be the role for you!

Download the Job Description here.

We want to understand each candidates skills, experience, and perspectives, so we encourage you to complete your application using your own words. While generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool for exploring ideas or structuring responses, applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can appear generic and make it difficult for us to assess your individual experience.

If you choose to use AI during the application process, please use it only as a tool to help draft and structure your ideas, check your spelling and grammar, and guide your writing, while ensuring the personal experiences are entirely your own words. Responses that do not demonstrate your own voice may affect how your application is assessed and could result in it not being progressed.

Working with us will give you…

• 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 as in 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 Friday 4th September 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 to submit your application at the earliest opportunity. Should you need support or additional time to submit an application please contact recruitment@nationaltheatre.org.uk.

In line with our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), we recognise that we need to address underrepresentation in our organisation. We actively welcome applications from individuals who are part of global majority, disabled and LGBTQ+ communities, and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We strive to promote inclusive and equitable practices in all areas of the NT. As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview disabled applicants who meet our minimum requirements for our vacancies.

If you would like to speak to someone about any adjustments or have any questions about the recruitment process, you can email recruitment@nationaltheatre.org.uk or call us on 02074523834.