Head of Department - Creative Media and Digital Arts

Leeds City College; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education institution in Leeds is seeking a Head of Creative Media and Digital Arts. The role involves leading a talented team, ensuring high standards of education, and developing new opportunities in the Creative Arts. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in further education and a strong background in a relevant field. This position offers generous benefits, including extensive annual leave and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Annual Leave: 44 days plus bank holidays

Pension schemes with generous employer contributions

CPD opportunities including leadership courses

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Discounted travel options

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in further education.
• Proven focus and achievement in quality of education.
• Experience of working with external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team in the Creative Media and Digital Arts department.
• Develop and deliver a business plan for financial success and quality learning.
• Improve all aspects of quality of education.

Skills

Creative Arts background

People management

Quality education focus

Education

Degree in Creative Arts or relevant field

Job description

About The Role

Leeds City College are recruiting for a Head of Creative Media and Digital Arts to join our team based at our Quarry Hill Campus.

We are looking for a passionate, creative individual who is ready to take Creative Media and Digital Arts to the next level.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role with significant experience in Further Education. They will be outcomes focused ensuring that we deliver the highest standards of education for our students.

The Department of Creative Media and Digital Arts was assessed by the college quality processes as Outstanding for 24/25 with key strengths around achievement, industry links and progression to HE programmes. Recruitment this year exceeded target, and work is already underway to increase capacity for September 2026.

The Department has more than 600 learners, predominantly 16-18 years old, who study TV & Film Production, Animation, Games Design and Development, Journalism and Esports across levels 1, 2 and 3. There is also provision in T-Levels, Access programmes and embedded Adult provision.

Quarry Hill is a state-of-the-art campus, within the SOYO Cultural Quarter of Leeds, with impressive facilities and an aspirational ethos for both learners and colleagues.

CMDA is well-equipped with an industry standard TV Studio and Gallery, screening room, Mac and hi-spec computer suites and state of the art equipment for learners to use.

What You Will Do

• Lead a team of highly experienced, committed and talented individuals who love teaching and learning and contribute to all aspects of the department.
• Be an outstanding role model in attitude and behaviour for all our colleagues and students.
• Passionately work to ensure the highest standards of education for our young people ensuring outstanding achievement, retention and attendance.
• Develop and deliver a business plan which balances financial success with quality student learning opportunities.
• Continually improve all aspects of quality of education to deliver a grade 1 department in all areas.
• Engage with both internal and external stakeholders to respond to industry needs and create opportunities for learners.
• Encourage positive behaviour through restorative approaches.
• Be part of our Quarry Hill family role modelling for staff and students.

About You

• A background in a relevant Creative Arts discipline.
• Significant experience in further education.
• Proven focus and achievement in quality of education.
• A commitment to providing opportunities for students to grow, develop and succeed.
• Excellent people management skills.
• A keen interest in developing new courses and opportunities within the Creative Arts Sector.
• Experience of working with external stakeholders such as qualification boards, arts organisations and funding bodies.

Benefits

The group offers a range of excellent benefits, including:

• Annual Leave: Curriculum and Management: 44 days plus bank holidays
• Curriculum support and business support: 39 days plus bank holidays
• Pension Schemes With Generous Employer Contributions
  Teachers’ Pension Scheme
  Local Government Pension Scheme
  People’s Pension Scheme
• CPD Opportunities: Annual staff conference plus 2 additional staff development days.
• Qualifications Including PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership And Management Courses.
• Employee wellbeing initiatives: Family Friendly Policies, discounted onsite spa (Printworks) and gym (Park Lane).
• Travel and commuting: Discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities: Please speak to the recruiting manager regarding flexible opportunities as these differ between roles.

About Us

Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country and is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships regionally.

We provide a vibrant and diverse learning environment, delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life changing. Leeds City College’s values put students first and are at the heart of everything the college does.

We are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our staff. You’ll have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow. We offer a wide range of job vacancies, and our large size means there are always exciting opportunities to progress.

Join us on the journey to being the best that we can collectively be for our students, apprentices, staff and our stakeholders.

Safeguarding

At Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references. Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in recruitment is key to our Group’s values. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, where every candidate is treated with fairness, respect, and equity.

Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal opportunities, remove bias, and promote a diverse talent pool. To find out more about what our commitment to EDI means to us please Click here to learn more about our EDI objectives.

Recruitment Agencies

We do not accept unsolicited CV’s and applications from agencies and will not be liable for any fee in connection with a candidate that has been submitted speculatively through any agency that has not been expressly instructed for a particular vacancy as part of our Preferred Supplier List.