Programme Supervisor-Directing

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 268,000 - 469,000; Full time

Job summary

Academy of Performing Arts at the University of the Arts Sharjah seeks a Programme Supervisor-Directing to lead/direct postgraduate teaching and supervision of MFA Theatre and Live Performance Creation: Directing. The role drives curriculum and oversees student-directed projects within APA productions.

You will mentor MFA students, contribute to thesis committees, and collaborate across departments to deliver high-quality directing education, while maintaining safe, cutting-edge practices.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree (MFA or PhD) or equivalent industry/professional experience.
• Significant professional theatre and/or live performance experience as a Director (8–10 years minimum).
• Must be trained in specialist knowledge of Directing for Theatre and Live Events, including current software suites.
• Prior experience with providing feedback.
• Knowledge of student performance evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Supervise MFA directing students and participate in thesis supervisory committees.
• Teach Directing courses and oversee safe practice in the postgraduate programme.
• Organise and facilitate Directing pathway classes.
• Assist in timetabling and interviewing director candidates.
• Collaborate with postgraduate faculty to administer assessments and deliver structured feedback.

Skills

Directing

Feedback

Office365

Curriculum development

Postgraduate teaching

Research

Multinational teamwork

Relocation

Industry connections

Leadership

Education

Terminal degree (MFA or PhD)

Tools

Excel

Moodle

Blackboard

Canvas

Job description

Reporting to: Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies and Executive Director

Responsible for: Producing provision within postgraduate programmes; Supervising MFA Directing students for productions; directing some APA productions (under consideration).

Works Closely with: Programme Leaders: Production Arts, Acting, Musical Theatre, and Dance. Production Manager, Programme Supervisors Performance Design: Set and Costume; Producing, Lighting, Sound, Music Direction, and Directing

Start Date: September 2026

Employment Type: Full-Time

Closing date for applications: 15 May 2026

The Programme Supervisor-Directing position (equivalent to an Assistant Professor) at the Academy of Performing Arts (APA) is a full-time role focused on teaching at the postgraduate level. The successful candidate will be expected to supervise postgraduate students in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programme (Theatre and Live Performance Creation: Directing) and participate as a member of thesis supervisory committees.

The faculty member will mentor postgraduate students as necessary and teach a mix of skills in the Directing pathway’s postgraduate classes. Additionally, S/he may take on the roles of directing APAproductions (to be confirmed) and overseeing MFA student directors (or assistant directors) involved in APAproductions.

The Programme Supervisor-Directing has a key role in overseeing the dynamic and safe practice within the delivery of Directing related teaching. This lead role requires a skill set where the candidate has extensive practical experience in their field, and a successful track record in course management, leading assessment/feedback, budgeting and effectively leading a team. S/he will work collaboratively alongside the other departments within the performance, dance, and production arts programmes and the wider APAfaculty. The Programme Supervisor-Directing reports directly to the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the potential to meet the university's expectations for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, Teaching, and Service as defined in the UAS Research and Scholarly Activities policy and Faculty Policies. Maintaining professional engagement at the local, national, and international levels will be encouraged.

• Report directly to Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies, and ultimately the Executive Director, to ensure s/he are kept well-informed about their areas of responsibility.
• Implement the development and delivery of all Directing courses within the postgraduate programme. Prioritising safe practice will be fundamental alongside developing and inspiring innovative teaching that connects with multidisciplinary training that remains dynamic and relevant to the industry.
• Organise and facilitate the faculty on all activities within the Directing pathway classes.
• Collaborate with the postgraduate faculty to administer course assessments to deliver structured feedback that supports and enhances learning and development for Directing courses.
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies with timetabling and scheduling Directing courses.
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies in the interview and selection process for hiring directors for productions (as required).
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies in outreach and student recruitment efforts to ensure sustained high levels of enrolment.
• The Programme Supervisor-Directing may take on additional teaching responsibilities related to the postgraduate programme, including managing curriculum documentation, course files, and course administration to adhere to the institution's quality assurance standards.

Working as an integral part of the APAteam, this role involves close collaboration with Programme Leaders, other Supervisors, and Lead Tutors to ensure the highest level of teaching and learning support is provided to students throughout their studies. This collective effort guarantees that courses are executed effectively and efficiently, benefiting students and the broader Sharjah arts community.

• Terminal Degree (MFA or PhD) or demonstrate and verify equivalent industry or professional experience or additional qualifications in professional performing arts education.
• Significant professional theatre and/or live performance experience as a Director (8-10 years minimum).
• Must be trained in specialist knowledge of Directing for Theatre and Live Events, (including current software suites).
• Prior experience with providing feedback.
• Knowledge and insight into student performance evaluation.
• Experience with research and scholarly activity, including practice as research.
• Capable of working autonomously and as an integral part of a diverse, multinational team, while exhibiting the emotional intelligence necessary for such environments.
• Ability to work on a flexible schedule, which may include working evenings and weekends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with Office365 Suite (especially Excel).
• Flexible approach to curriculum development and andragogy to suit the Academy's dynamic needs, cultural considerations, and to enhance collaborative education delivery.
• Must be willing to relocate to the UAE.
• Direct industry experience; connections within the theatre and live performance industry for outreach and collaborative purposes.
• Documented success teaching Directing (or similar course content), and related courses at a post-secondary institution and/or mentoring producing students and/or emerging producers.
• Documented success in Directing (e.g., industry awards).
• Clear understanding of schemes of work and preparing classwork while adhering to course marking systems.
• Experience working within a multinational, multilingual educational environment.
• Experience writing and delivering courses for postgraduate education.
• Experience with educational software (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas).
• Experience teaching Leadership, Entrepreneurial skills, Strategic Planning or similar.
• Experience starting or running a company in a for-profit environment.
• Ability to work with students from varying cultural backgrounds and abilities.
• Energetic, driven, creative and dependable.
• Openness to adapting and developing teaching and creative practices.
• Decision making and solving problems with the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies.
• Building teams and communication with students.
• Facilitating change: curriculum development, community culture of creativity and innovation.
• Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities.

• The individual in this position is responsible for ensuring compliance with all UAS policies and procedures, including the Workplace Health and Safety and Confidentiality policies.
• This position is full-time based at the Academy of Performing Arts, University of the Arts Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
• The Staff Handbook is an important resource and sets out the expectations and conditions of employment. Prospective candidates for this position can request the Faculty Handbook, which will be sent to them via email.