Rai is hiring for 12 Assistant Directors: 36-month apprenticeships in Rome, Turin, Milan, and Naples.

Rai Radiotelevisione Italiana has launched a selection process for 12 young people to be hired as assistant directors and assistant directors, with a 36-month professional apprenticeship contract.

What is it about

This is an internal selection process for the company that manages the public radio and television service to identify candidates for the direction department. The initiative aims to hire young people to provide operational support for the direction of television and audiovisual productions. This is not a public competition, but a company selection process aimed at strengthening the technical and creative back office of the Rai networks.

The professional figure

The assistant director or assistant director is a liaison between the director, production, and the various technical and artistic departments. In a television or audiovisual production, the role involves assisting the director in the operational phases: reading and breaking down the script, preparing plans and outlines, coordinating schedules, people, and materials, and providing support during filming and editing. Typical skills include knowledge of audiovisual language, time management, organizational skills, problem-solving, and good communication, in dynamic environments and under tight deadlines.

Main requirements

• Age between 18 years and 29 years and 364 days on the expiration date
• Five-year secondary school diploma
• Valid category B driving license
• Italian citizenship, or citizenship of an EU member state, or regular residence for non-EU citizens
• Not having been dismissed by Rai or other companies of the group for just cause or justified subjective reasons
• Not having already performed, with another employer, tasks corresponding to the qualification for which the announcement is made for a period exceeding 18 months
• Availability to travel

Non-EU applicants require a valid residence permit that allows them to work and, if applicable, documentation confirming the availability of suitable accommodation. Those who studied abroad must have their qualifications recognized in Italy, for example, with ENIC-NARIC or Diploma Supplement documentation.

Contract, positions and locations

The selection process includes a total of 12 positions with professional apprenticeships pursuant to Article 10 of the Rai Civil Code for Managers, Clerks, and Workers. The distribution by location is as follows: Rome 8 , Turin 2 , Milan 1 , Naples 1. Hiring is subject to completion of the procedure and suitability for the position.

The apprenticeship lasts 36 months. Rankings for each location are valid for 36 months, and RAI may also draw from eligible candidates who fail to qualify in the event of cancellations or unforeseen circumstances. Furthermore, once hired, employees are expected to remain at their destination location for at least 5 years, consistent with company needs.

Salary indicated by the company: approximately €26.000 gross per year upon entry (level 6) and approximately €28.000 gross per year after 36 months (level 5). This salary also includes company welfare benefits and the possibility of enrolling in supplementary pension plans and healthcare. Specific financial conditions may vary depending on the applicable collective bargaining agreement and the position.

The work locations planned for the second selection phase include a presence in Rome; applications must be submitted for only one location, chosen at the time of registration.

How the selection works

The selection procedure involves several phases:

• Preliminary evaluation of titles declared in the online form, broken down by location. Each location is assigned points based on its qualifications and any recognized training programs.
• First pre-selection phase: multiple-choice written test (in person or remotely) on general knowledge, television theory and techniques, directing, television language, etc. The scores from this phase will not affect the final ranking, but are used to select candidates for the next phase.
• Second phase in person in Rome: technical-professional interview/test worth up to 50 points, with an assessment of technical skills and radio and television production organization, as well as a test of drafting an outline and analyzing audiovisual contributions.
• In parallel, online motivational interview with the candidate Up to 50 points, with in-depth analysis of the candidate's background, motivations, and expectations; group dynamics and aptitude tests may be used.
• To be eligible, candidates must obtain at least 30/50 points in each of the two second-phase tests. The final ranking is determined by the overall second-phase score (maximum 100 points).

The procedure can also be carried out in collaboration with an external company (Selexi) and may include several verification phases, including confirmation of qualifications and requirements at the time of hiring.

Deadline and how to apply

Official deadline: October 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM . Applications must be submitted exclusively online, through the Rai Lavora con noi portal at https://www.rai.it/lavoraconnoi . Registration or login to the portal is required, so applications submitted by email or on paper are not eligible. Draft applications will not be considered; you must click "confirm and send" to finalize your application. Communications will be made via email and in your personal area on the Rai portal; it is also a good idea to check your spam or junk mail.

The first phase is scheduled for the second half of October 2026, the second phase in person in Rome is scheduled for November 2026. RAI may change the timing or location of the procedure based on operational needs.

What to check before submitting your application

Before submitting your application, it is useful to check:

• Age requirements at the time of expiration (18-29 years and 364 days)
• Required qualification: five-year diploma
• Valid category B driving license
• Citizenship or regular residence status in Italy
• Absence of dismissals for just cause or subjective reasons
• Willingness to travel and, if selected, to remain in one location for at least 5 years
• Required documents to attach: Updated CV with photograph (PDF), copy of diploma (PDF), driving license (PDF), any certificates or certificates (PDF), residence permit or foreign qualification recognition (PDF if applicable)

For qualifications obtained abroad, documentation certifying their recognition in Italy is required (e.g., a declaration of value or Diploma Supplement). Non-EU citizens must also provide documentation of their legal residence and accommodation, if requested by the company.

Please note that the information provided may be updated or modified by the company during the process. To confirm test times, the exact schedule, and additional details, we recommend consulting the official Rai Careers page and the full notice published on the company portal.

Useful notes and practical advice

Rai does not reimburse the cost of participating in the tests. Hiring is subject to verification of qualifications, qualifications, physical fitness, and continued compliance with the apprenticeship age requirement. If successful, a professional apprenticeship contract will be signed, specifying the location of employment and compliance with the permanence requirement. For those who pass the initial phase, any transfer is subject to company needs and does not preclude the possibility of future transfers within Rai.