Programme Leader BA Production Arts

GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious arts institution in the City of London is seeking a Programme Leader for the BA Production Arts program. This role involves leading the programme, managing student recruitment and quality assurance, while engaging with industry stakeholders to enhance the student experience. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in programme management and theatre practice, along with excellent interpersonal skills. This is an excellent opportunity to join a world-class institution dedicated to arts education.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of programme/education management within Higher Education settings.
• Experience in theatre/performance practice in a range of settings.
• Ability to contribute to public-facing activities and sector engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership of the BA Production Arts programme.
• Manage student recruitment and outreach activities.
• Oversee quality assurance and student experience.

Skills

Experience of programme/education management

Theatre/performance practice

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Commitment to equity and inclusion

Job description

About Guildhall School

Guildhall School is a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors and production artists in the heart of the City of London. Ranked as number one in Arts, Drama & Music by the Complete University Guide 2025, and in the top four in the world for Music and Performing Arts by the QS World University Rankings 2025, we deliver world-class professional training in partnership with distinguished artists, companies and ensembles. A global leader in creative and professional practice, we promote innovation, experiment and research, and are also one of the UK's leading providers of lifelong learning in the performing arts, offering inspiring training for children, young people, adult learners, and creative and business professionals.

Position: Programme Leader, BA Production Arts

We are seeking an outstanding individual to take up the post of Programme Leader, BA Production Arts.

Department Overview

The Production Arts Department at Guildhall is responsible for the delivery of the BA Production Arts, BA Performance Design and MA Collaborative Performance Making. Across this portfolio of programmes, it addresses a wide range of performance making skills. The undergraduate programmes focus on skills in automation, costume, design, lighting, production management, prop making, scenic art, scenic construction, show control, sound, stage management, and video design and production. Students have substantial opportunities for learning in and through production projects – these are largely undertaken in collaboration with the Drama Department (plays), the Opera Studies department (operas, including excerpts and shorter‑form pieces), Guildhall Production Studio (GPS, digital media projects) and external partners. The Department undertakes research, outreach, and industry engagement across its areas of specialism.

Role Overview

The Programme Leader, BA Production Arts works closely with the Director of Production Arts and senior colleagues to provide leadership of the BA Production Arts programme and across the department's activities in the Guildhall School. This includes interactions with external stakeholders, including staff recruitment, student recruitment (including outreach, access, and participation), programme delivery, quality assurance, student experience, research, and industry engagement. They will have significant responsibility for successful programme delivery; the student experience in relation to all academic elements including the management of resources associated with programmes; and staffing, including line management of the Heads of Pathway, staff development and engagement with industry and other external stakeholders.

Additional Duties

The Programme Leader role will be combined with other duties in accordance with specialism and institutional need, as agreed with the Director of Production Arts and in accordance with a balanced workload overall.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have significant experience of programme/education management within Higher Education settings; and theatre/performance practice in a range of settings. You will have the ability to contribute to the Department's profile and public‑facing activities (e.g. through research and/or professional practice, sector engagement, and external networks), demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.