Assistant Resident Director (Manchester)

Assistant Resident Director (Manchester)

Assistant Resident Director (Manchester)

Date

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Description & Requirements

Job Description for Assistant Resident Director (Manchester)

Company Overview

Founded in 2007 by Mike and Alison Battle, Lapland began with a simple but powerful purpose: to honour the wonder of childhood at Christmas. Frustrated by the poor quality of festive experiences available for their own four boys, the Battles set out to elevate this moment of childhood and reimagine the Father Christmas myth through original storytelling, meticulous set design, and emotionally resonant live theatre.

Their ground breaking immersive show opened in 2007 and immediately captured the attention and hearts of parents nationwide. Powered by their purpose, the couple partnered with Hollywood set designers and West End performance professionals to produce an experience of unprecedented quality and detail. With an NPS of 72 (outperforming industry icons in the entertainment space), Lapland's customer loyalty is second to none and has now welcomed nearly 2 million 'believers,' with tickets selling out on release for what the press now terms 'the Glastonbury of Christmas.'

Today, the Lapland Group is a fast growing purpose driven entertainment business spanning the three pillars of Live, Product and Studios.

In 2024, Lapland's eCommerce revenues grew tenfold, driven by the launch of magical at home products like personalised Letters from Lapland (Advent calendar and soon, a Christmas Eve Experience?). These products extend the Lapland world into the home, deepening belief and connection beyond the physical experience. At the same time, our original story universe continues to scale through media. In 2023, Lapland launched its first podcast, Elfcast, which achieved No. 1 in the UK Family Charts and ranked in the global top 10 over Christmas. With plans to expand into audio and content year round, our IP and characters are reaching audiences in new and emotionally resonant ways.

With immersive Live experiences, high growth eCommerce and a rapidly expanding original content, Lapland is on a mission to become the definitive global Christmas brand anchored in belief, storytelling, and the enduring magic of childhood.

Location

Workshops & rehearsals in London, then on site in Manchester (Capesthorne Hall).

Reports To

Resident Director

Role Overview

The Assistant Resident Director plays a vital supporting role within our Manchester Live Show team. Working closely with the Resident Director, you will assist in the creative and operational excellence of our immersive theatrical experience. This role is designed to help maintain the high performance standards and magic of our live show by assisting in every aspect of workshopping, rehearsals, and live show management. The ideal candidate is creative, highly organised, and passionate about delivering exceptional family entertainment.

Key Responsibilities

• Attain and maintain an in depth understanding of the Elven World, including knowledge of all character descriptions and Lapland lore. You will be expected to articulate detailed insights about the world, ensuring authenticity and consistency in storytelling and creative direction.
• Taking note of all blocking, script changes and character development in the workshopping process.
• Support the Resident Director in facilitating the rehearsals incorporating all notes from the workshop.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication with the Resident Director and the Resident Show Operations Management team. Ensure that all performance related updates, notes, and challenges are effectively relayed and addressed.
• Assist in monitoring rehearsal and live show quality checks by providing constructive feedback. Help uphold the highest production standards throughout the season.
• Collaborate with the Resident Director to implement feedback and continuous improvement measures.
• Maintain detailed records of rehearsal schedules, performance notes, and casting updates.
• Throughout the Rehearsals and Live Show period, keeping constant communication with the Manchester Resident Director ensuring all shows are consistent between both sites.
• Assist with the documentation and reporting of show progress and challenges.
• Serve as a key point of contact between cast members and senior management.
• Cultivate a supportive and collaborative environment that promotes creativity, excellence in performance, in alignment with our company values and culture.

Required Experience

• Experience supporting theatrical productions or immersive experiences, ideally as an assistant or similar roles.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with a track record of effective administrative support in a creative environment.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and foster strong, collaborative relationships.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and the ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and a consistent commitment to maintaining high production standards throughout every stage of the performance process.
• A deep passion for immersive storytelling.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure in fast paced settings.
• Experience in children's theatre or family oriented entertainment.
• Bringing a flexible approach to different working environments and personalities.

Life at Lapland UK

At Lapland UK, we believe in the magic of collaboration, a steadfast commitment to excellence, and a team that's always willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved. Working with us means being part of a dynamic environment where collaboration brings out the best in everyone, diverse talents converge, and innovation thrives. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every team member is dedicated to achieving the highest standards, contributing to a workplace culture that values continuous improvement and outstanding results.

We're not just looking for employees; we want people who are excited to get involved, embrace challenges, and bring a hands on approach to their work, creating a workplace full of positivity and collective success. Overall, working at Lapland UK offers a chance to be part of something truly special, where the wonder of childhood is celebrated by a team dedicated to making memories for over 40,000 families each year.

Passion for the Mission

We are in service to belief. We understand the importance of what we do and its legacy.

Hourly Rate

£20.00

Accommodation

Provided for workshop, rehearsal & live show period if required.

Key Dates & Availability

• July 27 - 31 August
• August 3 - 7
• August 10 - 14
• August 17 - 19

Beginning to mid September, with full availability required through to December 24.

• Holiday paid at 12.07% at the end of contract
• Free daily on site meal once based on site for the live show
• Staff car parking & shuttle bus service

Eligibility

Applicants must be authorised to work in the United Kingdom without the need for visa sponsorship.

Admission of Right to Withdraw

Lapland reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any time. Due to the high number of applications being received, we may not be able to respond to every applicant.

EEO Statement

Lapland is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.