We are looking for an Assistant Production Manager Apprentice, in partnership with the Mackintosh Foundation Regional Theatre Technical Apprenticeship Programme. 

Are you looking for a practical route into Production Management? Would you like to learn directly from experienced professionals in a working environment? Do you want to develop useful skills and gain a nationally-recognised qualification? Then our Technical Apprenticeships at Chichester Festival Theatre may be for you! 

We are now recruiting for an Assistant Production Manager Apprentice to join us from September 2025, to work in our busy Production department. This opportunity provides experience, skills, knowledge and formal training whilst working on a range of professional theatre productions across our three stages and elsewhere. 

The Assistant Production Manager Apprentice role suits someone who has completed a degree in a theatre subject i.e. Stage Management or Technical Theatre, or a current technical theatre professional seeking a change of direction into Production Management. Please note than in order to be eligible for this apprenticeship position, you cannot have studied a degree in Production Management or have previously worked as a Production Manager. 

This post is a 24-month fixed term contract and as well as being a full-time salaried position, it includes structured training in Production Management, offered through Chichester College, where you will receive a nationally recognised qualification. 

All previous CFT apprentices have gone on to work professionally across the Performing Arts industry, including on tours and in the West End in a variety of roles.

Join us for more information! 

Have a read of the job description (you can download this below). If you want to find out more about the Assistant Production Manager Apprenticeship role and working at CFT, as well as getting some advice on how to apply and meet some of the team, we are running an event in the Festival Theatre Foyer on: 

• Saturday 21st June   10.30 – 12.00 
• Saturday 5th July     10.30 – 12.00 

We recommend registering by emailing recruitment@cft.org.ukto let us know which session you’d like to attend, but if you haven’t then please don’t let that stop you attending. You're welcome to bring your parents, carers or partner with you to these events.

How to apply

When you're ready to apply, please send your CV and a covering letter or a video to recruitment@cft.org.uk by 10am 11 July. Remember to say what role you are applying for as we have other recruitment happening alongside this post.

What we would like to see included in your CV is: 

• Details of your educational qualifications  
• Details of any work, work experience and any experience over the last five years – paid or voluntary 

What we would like to see in your covering letter/video is: 

• Why is this post of interest to you at this stage in your education / professional career?
• Why are you choosing an apprenticeship as a route into this area of the industry?
• What makes you the best candidate for this role?

In order to answer these questions you should read the Person Specification at the end of the Job Description and tell us how you meet each of the Essential Criteria, as well as sharing any of your experience or theatre or live events that you feel is relevant. (Maximum 600 words)

And

• Please tell us about your personal interests, hobbies and achievements that you are proud of so we can get a sense of who you are. (Maximum 250 words)

If you need a change to be made to help you with your application, please contact us at recruitment@cft.org.uk. Please tell us what changes or help you might need. We are here to support you.