The Guildhall School Trust
57,240 - 64,610 per year
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Full-time
JOB DESCRIPTION

Head of Pathway (Theatre Technology)

Production Arts – Guildhall School of Music and Drama

F

Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Programme Leader, BA Production Arts
Lecturers, Tutors, Assistants and freelance workers engaged in the
delivery of the Pathway

Job Title

Department

Grade

Location

Responsible to

Responsible for

Purpose of Post

To lead the Theatre Technology Pathway as a member of the Production Arts Management Team taking
responsibility for all matters relating to preparation, delivery and assessment of course materials for that
Pathway  and  contributing  to  the  overall  development  delivery  and  assessment  of  Production  Arts
programmes and School productions/projects.

To be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the BA Production Arts pathway (Theatre Technology) in
terms of structure, learning and assessment strategies.

In conjunction with the Director of Production Arts to design and develop new academic programmes and
procedures.

To line manage teaching staff and control budgets as appropriate.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1.  To be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the academic programme pathway by ensuring  that
teaching, assessment and feedback strategies are aligned with the programme and pathway aims
and  objectives  and  that  assessment  standards  are  commensurate  with  the  stated  level  of  the
programme year or programme award.

2.  To  take  the  lead  in  the  periodic  review  of  the  programme  pathway,  evaluating  the  pathway
structure,  teaching  and  assessment  strategies,  and  overall  pathway  delivery,  utilising  feedback
from staff, students and external examiners.

3.  To co-ordinate programme developments, amendments and enhancements in liaison with division

directors, and academic and administrative heads of department as appropriate.

4.  To  develop  and  maintain  awareness  and  understanding  of  sector-wide  developments  in  both
Higher Education and industry contexts through engaging with relevant conferences, workshops
and discussion fora, reporting on these to the Programme Board, and ensuring that they feed into
programme enhancements.

5.  To line manage relevant teaching staff, ensuring completion of annual appraisal or annual review

as appropriate.

6.  To undertake research (and/or professional practice) and scholarship and maintain a profile in  the

public domain as an expert in the discipline.

7.

In conjunction with the Director of Production Arts to review and manage the current Production
Arts programmes and to design and develop new academic programmes and procedures.

8.  To monitor and moderate assessment of Production Arts academic programmes.

9.  To  control  the  budget  of Pathway-specific  support  staff,  equipment,  maintenance  and  teaching
materials  to  ensure  efficient  and  cost-effective  operations  within  the  resources  allocated  in
accordance with CoL financial regulations and procedures.

10.  To  teach  and  assess  students  at  all  academic  levels  and  across  all  Pathways  of  the  BA  (Hons)
Programme in both theory and practice as appropriate to personal expertise in the field of Pathway
specialism (Theatre Technology).

11.  To  give  practical  instruction  and  supervision  in  Pathway  specialism  (Theatre  Technology)
throughout the production process at all academic levels as appropriate to personal expertise.

12.  To assess students’ practical and written work in Pathway specialism (Theatre Technology) at all

academic levels as appropriate to personal expertise.

13. To provide comprehensive written feedback to students on all assessed work.

14.  To  provide  comprehensive  written  reports  as  required  to  advise  the  Programme  Leader  and
academic  committees  on  purchasing  strategy,  research  initiatives,  IT  requirements,  curriculum
development etc.

15.  To actively maintain skills and knowledge of current and emergent theatre practice both through
relationships with professional industry contacts and associations and by undertaking appropriate
training where necessary, using this knowledge to inform programme developments.

16.  To  take  responsibility  for  scheduling  Pathway-specific  classes  (both  theoretical  and  practical)  in
conjunction  with  the  Production  Arts  Management Team,  including  the  provision  of  timely  and
accurate information to students and staff in Production Arts.

17.  To  retain  membership  of  relevant  professional  bodies  and  show  commitment  to  continuous

professional development, undertaking training when necessary.

18.  To assist the Programme Leader in the interviewing and selection of students for the Production

Arts programmes.

19.  To assist the Programme Leader in the recruitment and supervision of permanent and freelance

teaching and/or production staff, to include appraisals, capability and training.

20.  To be responsible for ensuring compliance with CoL, Guildhall School and Production Arts policies

and procedures.

21.  To be responsible for ensuring compliance with Health & Safety legislation in the administration
and  operation  of  the  Pathway,  including  the  organisation  of  relevant  risk  assessments  and  any
consequent  corrective  action,  liaising  with  the  Production  Arts  Management  Team  and  other
relevant departments.

22.  To participate in the work of School committees (e.g. Production Arts Programme Board,  Teaching
&  Learning  Committee,  Research  Committee,  Ethics  Committee  etc.)  and  School  activities  and
where appropriate to represent the department and extend its influence  throughout the school
on such occasions.

23.  To deputise for the Programme Leader as required at School meetings and meetings with external

stakeholders.

24.  To  represent  the  School  with  external  professional  bodies  e.g.  Association  of  British  Theatre
Technicians,  (ABTT),  National  Council  for  Drama  Training  (NCDT),  Conference  of  Drama  Schools
(CDS), and OISTAT etc. as appropriate to the work of the Pathway.

25.  Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation
to  the  duties  of  the  post,  and  at  all  times  give  due  regard  to  the  health  and  safety  of  both
themselves and others when carrying out their duties.

26.  Actively  seek  to  implement  the  City  of  London’s  Equal  Opportunity  Policy  and  the  objective  to

promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

27. To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the grade.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title
Department
Grade
Trent Position Number

Head of Pathway (Theatre Technology)
Production Arts
F
19A0025/001

Please find below the key skills and experience required to undertake this post.

Technical Skills / Professional Qualifications / Relevant Education & Training

•  Degree level qualification in a related subject or equivalent professional experience. (A, I)
•  Significant industry experience in Pathway specialism (theatre technology). (A, I)
•  Ability to lead on all aspects of learning, teaching, assessment and quality assurance associated

with a degree programme/pathway. (A, I)

•  Ability to determine strategic direction and implement strategic aims in respect of production

arts programmes. (A) (I)

•  Ability to oversee high production values in relation to theatre and performance. (A) (I)
•  Up to date knowledge of CDM/Health and Safety and commitment to promoting safe

working. ( A)

•  Able to oversee students’ work in novel settings for performance (for example digital, site-

specific, and festival-based production). (A) (I)

•  Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to teach students, collaborate on teaching

with a range of academic staff and liaise effectively with external stakeholders. (A, I)

•  Excellent written communication skills in order to develop and maintain degree

pathways/programmes, write reports, assessments, academic programmes and procedures.

•  Ability to lead a team and manage teaching staff. (A) (I)
•  Ability to use a range of IT systems and resources confidently and to good effect in relation to

communication and in support of pedagogy. (A, I)

•  Able to undertake and share research in area of specialism. (A) (I)

Experience Required

•  Versatile and creative theatre production and design educator with significant experience of

teaching and assessment at HE level.

•  Extensive industry experience that demonstrates continued high standing in the profession (may
include experience of working in digital media/film/television where relevant to the Pathway).
(A) (I)

•  Substantial programme/module management within a Higher Education Drama/Performance

context. (A, I)

•  Significant professional experience in Pathway specialism (theatre technology) including theatre

and events. (A) (I)

•  Substantial knowledge of standard processes and expectations of the Higher Education sector,
including matters relating to learning and teaching, the facilitation of student-centred learning,
assessment, and quality assurance. (A, I)

•  Good experience of managing scheduling and budgets. (A)
•  Good experience of managing people and projects. (A)
•  Experience of working in a HE environment. (A) (I)
•  Organised and able to meet deadlines. (A) (I)
•  Ability to operate as part of a team through consultation, cooperation and evidencing mutual

professional respect. (A, I)

•  Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships at all levels and in particular to inspire

and motivate students. (A, I)

•  Able to work with and inspire students. (A) (I)
•  Able to multitask and work under pressure of time and competing demands. (A) (I)
•  Able to manage own workload and co-ordinate and manage the work of others (A) (I)
•  Able to develop and sustain relationships with colleagues and students. (A) (I)
•  Excellent time management. (A)
•  Able to use initiative and make decisions. (A) (I)
•  Able to maintain calm under pressure. (A)
•  Self-motivated and a self-starter. (A)

Other Relevant Information

Desirable:

•  Experience in the use of software relevant to activities within the specialist Pathway (e.g.

lighting/sound/video design and production, show operation, stage automation, scheduling,
project management). (A)

•  Specialist skills appropriate to elements of the Pathway (e.g. lighting/sound/video design,

systems design, production engineering). (A)

•  Experience working on innovative projects. (A)

Relevant information:

•  Working hours will variously involve some evening and weekend work.

Recruitment – Note to Applicants
The  qualifications,  experience  and  technical  skills  will  be  used  in  the  decision-making  process  for
recruitment. Please give examples of how you have exhibited these behaviours in your previous role(s).
It  is  essential  you  address  the  criterion  marked  as  (A)  on  your  application  form  in  the  section  for
supporting information.

Be as specific as possible, we cannot guess or make assumptions, but will assess your application solely
on the information provided. Try to provide evidence, by examples, where possible, of skills, knowledge
and experience contained in this person specification.

This summary is given as a guide and is not intended to form part of an
individual’s contract of employment.

Contract

The position is offered on a permanent basis.

Salary

The salary range for this job is £57,240 – £64,610 per annum inclusive of all allowances.  This figure will be
reviewed annually from 1 July in line with the pay award for other salaried staff within the City of London
Corporation.

Pension

The pension scheme provided by the City of London is the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).  The
LGPS is a public sector, statutory, funded, defined benefit pension scheme.  Benefits are accrued based upon
scheme member’s salary and the length of time for which they are a member of the scheme.

You  will  automatically  be  admitted  to  the  City  of  London  Corporation’s  Pension  Scheme.    Member
contributions  are  based  upon  the  rate  of  pensionable  pay  received  by  the  scheme  member.  Members
contribute between 5.5% and 12.5% of their pensionable pay to the scheme, depending on salary. Please see
here  for  the  contribution  bands.  There  is  also  an  option  to  join  the  50/50  section  of  the  scheme  where
members pay half the contribution rate and accrue benefits at half the accrual rate.

The current employer contribution rate for the City of London is 21%.

Further details can be found on the national LGPS website and/or the City’s pension website.

If you do not wish to join the Scheme you must make a formal declaration stating you wish to opt out.  You
may  contact  the  Pensions  Office  directly  should  you  have  any  queries  relating  to  the  Local  Government
Pension scheme and your entitlements under this scheme.

Hours of Work

Normal hours of work are 35 hours per week excluding lunch breaks, Monday to Friday, inclusive but the post
holder shall be expected to work the hours necessary to carry out the duties of the position.

Frequency and Method of Payment

This is a monthly paid appointment and salaries are credited to a Bank or Building Society Account on the
11th of each month.

Annual Leave

There  is an entitlement of 28  days annual holiday plus Bank  Holiday.  There  are  subsequent increases  to
entitlement to annual holiday according to length of service.

Continuous Service

If you join the City of London Corporation without a break in service (subject to certain exceptions) from
another body covered by the  Redundancy Payments (Local Government) (Modification) Order 1999, your
service  with  that  institution  will  count  for  the  purpose  of  continuous  service.  The  amount  of  continuous
service which you have will affect your entitlement to certain contractual benefits; for example, annual leave,
sick leave and maternity leave. A full explanation of Continuous Service is contained within the Employee
Handbook.

Probationary Period

You will be employed initially on a six month probationary period.  Should either party wish to terminate the
employment during this period, then one week’s notice will be required on either side, except for summary
termination for gross misconduct.

Notice Period

One terms notice by either party after satisfactory completion of probationary period.

Learning and Employee Development

The City of London provides for financial support and time off for staff to study for appropriate qualifications
which  relate  to  their  duties  or  undertaking  professional  skills  update  training.  There  is  also  an  in  house
programme covering more general training needs.

City Benefits

As  an  employee  of  the  City  Corporation,  you  have  access  to  exclusive  discounts  and  privileges  through a
combination of internal offers from our departments and an external service we have subscribed to from
Reward Gateway.

Employee Volunteering Programme

The  City  Corporation,  in  line  with  its  aims  to  contribute  to  a  flourishing  society,  shape  outstanding
environments and support a thriving economy, offers employees paid special leave time during normal hours
to  encourage  employees  to  volunteer  their  time  and  skills  to  Volunteer  Involving  Organisations  (VIOs)
operating within the Square Mile, London and beyond.

Full-time employees may take up to 2 days or 14 hours per year in which to volunteer, between 1 January
and 31 December. For temporary and part time employees these hours are adjusted pro rata. Volunteering
time can be taken in smaller bite size e.g. 2 hours a week over 7 weeks, where this can be accommodated by
the City Corporation and meets the requirements of the volunteer organisation