Department Lead - Theatre

JMC Academy; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

JMC Academy in Brisbane invites applications for the role of Department Lead, Theatre. The role provides academic and operational leadership for Acting and Music Theatre, reporting to the Head of Faculty, Screen & Stage.

You will lead a team of lecturers and pursue industry partnerships to enhance student outcomes. The ideal candidate will have tertiary qualifications in theatre, substantial higher education teaching experience, and a strong track record in curriculum development and budget

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Acting or Performing Arts; Master’s degree preferred.
• Significant professional industry experience in theatre and performing arts.
• Higher education teaching experience including course coordination and assessment moderation.
• Experience leading academic teams and staff development.
• Budget, resources and operational outcomes management.
• Understanding of Australian higher education regulatory environment (TEQSA, AQF, ESOS).

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, industry-led teaching that blends professional practice with pedagogy.
• Provide academic leadership and ensure delivery aligns with national standards.
• Lead local course coordination, quality, assessment moderation and compliance.
• Drive student success through engagement, retention and progression.
• Lead productions, showcases and industry-facing events.
• Support curriculum review and continuous improvement.
• Build industry partnerships and placements for students.
• Represent JMC Academy in professional forums and events.
• Oversee department budgets and operations.

Skills

Leadership

Teaching

Curriculum development

Budget management

Industry engagement

LMS proficiency

Education

Bachelor's in Acting/Performing Arts

Master's degree preferred

Job description

About us

JMC Academy is Australia’s leading private college in the Creative Industries, with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane delivering Diploma, Undergraduate and Postgraduate qualifications across a range of creative disciplines. We pride ourselves on providing a supportive and collaborative environment that empowers students to achieve their goals and pursue their passions.

By nurturing, supporting and mentoring students who are dedicated to their craft, we help shape the next generation of creative professionals and industry leaders.

About the Role

The Department Lead, Theatre provides academic and operational leadership for the Acting and Music Theatre disciplines at JMC Academy's Brisbane campus.

Reporting to the Head of Faculty, Screen & Stage, with a dotted line to the National Course Leaders in Acting and Music Theatre, this role is responsible for teaching excellence, student experience, academic quality, industry engagement, staff leadership and the day-to-day operation of the department in Brisbane.

Working closely with the National Course Leaders on the Sydney and Melbourne campuses, the successful candidate will ensure course delivery in Brisbane aligns with JMC's academic standards, the Higher Education Standards Framework, and institutional policies and procedures.

The Department Lead leads a team of permanent Lecturers and sessional staff, drives continuous improvement through student feedback and data insights, and contributes to curriculum development, industry engagement and showcase opportunities that prepare students for successful careers in the performing arts.

Externally, the role builds industry partnerships, supports placement opportunities, engages with industry practitioners and represents JMC Academy within the broader theatre and performing arts community.

What’s involved?

• Deliver engaging, industry-led teaching that combines professional practice with contemporary pedagogy.
• Provide academic leadership and ensure course delivery aligns with national standards and curriculum frameworks.
• Lead local course coordination, academic quality, assessment moderation and compliance activities.
• Drive student success through engagement, retention and progression strategies.
• Lead productions, showcases, performances and industry-facing events that highlight student talent and prepare graduates for professional practice.
• Support curriculum review and contribute recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Ensure positive student outcomes through proactive management of student performance and academic progression.
• Foster an inclusive learning environment that values equity, diversity and student wellbeing.
• Lead and develop a team of academic staff, contractors and technical officers.
• Build and maintain industry partnerships, guest lecturer relationships, placements and professional opportunities for students.
• Represent JMC Academy in professional forums, industry events and community engagement activities.
• Support marketing, recruitment, Open Days and outreach initiatives to promote the Theatre department.
• Manage local budgets, resources and departmental operations.
• Ensure compliance with TEQSA requirements, the Higher Education Standards Framework, ESOS regulations and JMC policies.
• Champion innovation in digital learning and emerging teaching practices.
• Maintain professional and industry currency through ongoing scholarship, creative practice and professional development.

Are you who we are looking for?

You will know this role is for you if you:

• Hold relevant tertiary qualifications in Acting, Music Theatre, Performing Arts or a closely related discipline (Master's degree highly regarded).
• Have significant professional industry experience and demonstrate ongoing currency within the theatre and performing arts sector.
• Have substantial higher education teaching experience, including course coordination, assessment moderation and curriculum development.
• Have demonstrated experience leading academic teams, including performance management, mentoring and staff development.
• Possess strong commercial awareness and experience managing budgets, resources and operational outcomes.
• Have a sound understanding of the Australian higher education regulatory environment, including TEQSA, AQF, ESOS and quality assurance frameworks.
• Have established industry networks and can build meaningful partnerships that benefit students and graduates.
• Have experience overseeing productions, showcases and industry-facing events.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Are confident using learning management systems, digital learning platforms and student management systems.
• Hold, or are willing to obtain, a Working with Children Check.
• Demonstrate a clear alignment with JMC Academy's purpose, vision and values.

Why Join JMC Academy?

At JMC Academy, you'll join a passionate community of educators, creatives and industry professionals dedicated to inspiring the next generation of performers and creative leaders.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Shape student outcomes and graduate success.
• Lead a talented team within a nationally recognised creative institution.
• Build meaningful industry partnerships.
• Influence curriculum and academic excellence.
• Work in a collaborative, innovative and student-focused environment.
• Contribute to the future of theatre and performing arts education.

THE PRACTICAL BITS

• BASE: Brisbane
• REPORTS TO: Head of Faculty, Screen & Stage
• TYPE: Full Time, Permanent
• SALARY: Competitive, commensurate with experience; we’ll talk specifics early in the process

For any questions regarding the role, please contact Jami Chowdhury at **********@jmc.edu.au.