Development Assistant Apprentice - WC2E 9DD

Apprenticeship Scheme, Fixed Term Contract (2 years)

Starting January 2026

Salary: £25,336.80 for 40hrs per week

Based in: Covent Garden, London

We are one of the busiest theatres in the world, delivering more than 400 performances each year and our backstage teams are some of the best theatre craftspeople in the world. We want to encourage fresh, passionate new talent into the building and our apprenticeship scheme plays a big part in that!

An apprenticeship gives you the practical skills and knowledge that will underpin your professional development and access to a network of people who can guide and support you during your career.

What our apprentices say:

• "It has taught me invaluable on-the-job experience that textbook learning cannot provide."
• "It is a great pathway into a career and a unique alternative to university."

The role is on a fixed-term contract for 2 years, full-time (40 hours per week) and based at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The apprenticeship will be split between the RBO and the College Training Provider. You will study for a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship Standard.

Will I be paid?

Yes! You will earn National Living Wage which will increase by 2.5% after successfully completing the first year. Apprentices are expected to use this to pay for their own travel to work and college. College fees will also be paid by the Royal Ballet and Opera.

Am I eligible?

• You must be 18 years old or over on the start date.
• You must NOT have completed a university degree or equivalent level qualification in the UK or elsewhere (in any subject, even if unrelated).
• You must have work authorisation for the UK.
• You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the past three consecutive years prior to the start of the programme. This is a mandatory requirement in line with apprenticeship funding regulations.

Do I need previous experience?

We are interested in recruiting apprentices that are first and foremost curious, driven by working in a creative environment and keen to learn new skills!

How to apply:

To apply, please click on 'Apply Now' and answer the application questions outlining how your experience demonstrates the essential criteria in the job description. Download and read the Job Description, as well as the full Job Pack, it includes some handy guidance for submitting your application.

The Royal Ballet and Opera is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive. We particularly welcome applications from those who are from a global majority background and/or those who are disabled, as they are under-represented within our organisation.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means that we are actively working to ensure that candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions feel supported, engaged and able to fulfil their potential in the workplace. We will endeavour to offer an interview to candidates who tell us they wish to participate in the scheme and who demonstrate in their application that they meet the essential criteria for the role, though sometimes due to the volume of qualified candidates with declarations this is not possible.

If you have any questions, please contact the Apprenticeships Team via [contact information]. You can also contact us if you have any access needs for making an application. For a list of potential reasonable adjustments, please read this guidance document.

For further information, you can also take a look at the Apprenticeship page on our website here: [website link].

Closing date for applications: Midnight, 8th December 2025.