Head of Casting

We are looking for a Head Of Casting to join the National Theatre Casting Team. 

To help lead inclusive, world-class casting for National Theatre productions, securing outstanding talent and overseeing the people, projects and operations of the Casting Department.The post-holder will lead the casting of their own productions while supporting and overseeing projects handled by the Casting Associates. They will work closely with directors, producers and writers to understand what each production needs, find brilliant performers and run auditions. They will be a champion of inclusive casting, and help us to discover emerging talent as well as world-class leading artists. Alongside the creative work, the post-holder will build strong relationships across the industry, negotiate fees and key terms, support contracts and help make sure the acting company has the cover it needs. They will also help keep the Casting Department running smoothly—managing people, budgets, leave, records and data—and step in for the Director of Casting when needed.

The successful candidate will have the following: 

• Extensive experience as a lead Casting Director or high level Associate, in major subsidised theatre, West End commercial theatre, or Screen equivalent
• Deep talent knowledge of established, leading and emerging actors, drama school graduates and diverse talent networks and trusted relationships with top talent agents, managers, drama schools and casting networks
• Ability to manage multiple Casting projects at once
• Ability to manage a multi-person casting department, including overseeing assistants and managing casting budgets
• Experience of working with Artistic Directors, freelance Directors and Playwrights in order to interpret their casting needs
• Active commitment to diverse and inclusive casting.

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

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 4 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.