Fair City Director Training Program
(E62202634300)
Job Type
Temporary
Category
Fulltime Working Hours Onsite Fully
Location
Donnybrook, Dublin
Job Details
RTÉ is Ireland's national public-service media organisation. We are embarking upon an ambitious and exciting 5-year transformation strategy to update the way we run the organisation. Our mission is to serve as an independent source of stories, news, information and entertainment for Ireland, reflecting the diversity of its people and providing experiences that enrich the lives of all.
This sense of purpose motivates us to deliver to the highest standards in an environment that is collaborative, supportive and engaging.
Fair City is Ireland’s favourite Continuing Drama show, and the centrepiece of RTÉ’s Drama output. Each year, the Fair City team provides 200 episodes of unmissable appointment TV. Producing this level of consistently excellent output requires a team of directors with a range of skills and perspectives, working across a complex matrix of production blocks, 50 weeks of the year.
Training Programme Details:
RTÉ is now looking to run a training programme for multi-camera TV Drama Directors to introduce them to this highly specialised discipline. This training programme is suitable for individuals who have experience directing in theatre, television and/or Tv formats. These transferable skills could enable the individual to be suitable at directing TV Drama. Those successful in completing the training programme may be engaged in future to direct episodes on RTÉ's ongoing drama: Fair City.
This programme takes place in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 and is designed as a structured development pathway, supporting directors to transition into multi-camera drama, including those who have not previously worked in this format. If offered a place on the programme you will be expected to attend at RTÉ in Dublin to participate in the training course for a five-week period, with the potential for further training/mentoring after the course. You will undergo a 5-week shadow directing period and, if successful, a 5-week mentored directing period.
What this looks like:
For the initial 5-week shadow directing period, you will work alongside an experienced Director as they prepare, direct and complete a full block of four Fair City Episodes, observing every step of the process and directing some scenes under supervision. If you move forward to the mentoring phase of the programme, you will have the opportunity to direct a block of four Fair City episodes, under the supervision of your training Director. Both blocks will be a combination of work on site in Donnybrook and some preparation work off site, but candidates will be expected to attend at Donnybrook for significant parts of the process, such as production preparation, filming and editing.
The first stage of the training course will commence in mid-June 2026 and run on a staggered basis to the end of the year, and into 2027. Successful applicants must be available to attend one of the shadowing and mentored cycles.
We recognise that people develop in different ways and encourage applications from those who may not meet every requirement but can demonstrate potential.
About the role:
We are particularly interested in candidates with multi-camera experience or strong transferable skills in directing performance across theatre, film, television or digital formats. Successful candidates must also have:
A creative imagination and a rigorous work ethic
A particular emphasis will be placed on previous multi-camera directing experience
A professional working knowledge of directing actors for performance
A high appreciation and knowledge of soaps and serial drama will be expected as well as a proven ability to interpret a script and lead a crew
Multi-camera TV Directors on Fair City are a key part of the team leading cast and crews through the production process. Because of the nature of ongoing drama there is a structured and collaborative approach to story and production led by the Executive Producer. Directors are asked to bring original thinking to the production and be part of the ever-evolving nature of serial television drama production. The TV Drama Directors work in 5-week blocks. As the Directors can work elsewhere on other formats or on other TV Dramas some of their work can be done remotely over that 5-week period. There are two preparation weeks, two production weeks and one editing week.
Application Process:
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please submit your CV and cover letter along with a short showreel or examples of your work (e.g. links, scripts or other relevant material). Please attach these as
one file
in the online application process. If you need support with the application format, please let us know.
To ensure that the training programme is accessible to as many applicants as possible, RTÉ will pay each successful candidate €300 gross per week to assist towards costs while they attend the training programme/shadowing phase. If the trainee is deemed suitable to participate in the mentoring phase, then a fee of €1,654 gross per week will be paid.
Closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday 04th June 2026.
Cuirfear fáilte roimh iarratais ó dhaoine go bhfuil dearcadh dearfach acu i leith na Gaeilge. Applications are welcome from people who have a positive outlook to Irish.
Diversity and Inclusion are at the heart of what we do – both on-air and behind the scenes. We are committed to building a more inclusive environment and tackling under-representation while embedding inclusion at every stage of the employee journey.
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, without regard to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, social experience, race and ethnicity, disability, civil and family status, religious belief and membership of the Traveller Community.
We are eager to provide reasonable accommodations for potential and existing employees with any kind of disability. Should you wish to request an accommodation for your interview, we encourage you to let us know when you apply.