Literary Manager – The Mainstage Prize

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Literary Manager to oversee the submissions, reading, and shortlisting process for a new prize for playwriting. 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 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.

Key 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 regarding process and timelines

Reader Recruitment & Management

• Recruit and contract a diverse pool of freelance readers
• Brief readers on the aims, values, and criteria of The Mainstage Prize
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to readers throughout the reading period

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
• Identify standout work and flag potential issues or conflicts

Shortlisting & Finalist Selection

• Collate reader reports and scores to produce longlists and shortlists
• Work closely with the Chair and judging panel to support the finalist selection process
• Participate as part of the internal team contributing to discussions around the final selection of shortlisted plays

Administration & Liaison

• Maintain clear records and documentation throughout the process
• Liaise with the Prize Director, Chair, and judges to ensure smooth information flow
• Support communication with shortlisted writers where required

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)

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to hello@sophiecairns.co.uk no later than 10am on February 20^th.

20/02/2026

Administrative (Venue Management, HR, Finance, Legal, IT, etc.), Creative & Direction