JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title
Department
Grade
Location
Responsible to
Responsible for

Programme Leader (BA Production Arts)
Guildhall School of Music & Drama – Production Arts Department
F
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Deputy Director of Production and Design
Teaching Staff and freelance workers engaged in the delivery of the
programme

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama
The Guildhall School of Music & Drama is one of the world’s leading conservatoires and drama schools,
offering  musicians,  actors,  stage  managers  and  theatre  designers  and  technicians  an  inspiring
environment in which to develop as artists and professionals.

BA Production Arts

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.

Purpose of Post
The Programme Leader (BA Production Arts) is responsible for providing leadership in all aspects of
learning, teaching, assessment and quality assurance associated with the programme, its modules and
teaching staff based in the Guildhall School. They will be responsible for the student experience in
relation  to  all  academic  elements  including  the  management  of  resources  associated  with  the
programme.  The  role  holder  may  undertake  teaching  on  the  programme,  and  will  line  manage  all
Heads of Pathway.

Key Relationships
•  Deputy Director of Production and Design– Line Manager
•  Vice Principal & Director of Drama, Production and Design
•  Associate Producer
•  Creative Director, Guildhall Production Studio
•  Head of Acting (Drama)
•  Head of Opera Studies (Music)
•  Head of Interdisciplinary Practice (Drama)

1

•  Pathway Leaders (Production Arts)
•  Head of Production Arts & Drama Administration
•  Head of Registry Services

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership
1.  To lead all aspects of the programme ensuring consistency with the Guildhall School’s strategic
aims  and  objectives  and  policies,  as  well  as  setting  and  maintaining  the  artistic  and  academic
objectives of the programme and the standards for student achievement.

2.  To  lead  and  facilitate  the  development  of  the  programme  in  relation  to  its  stated  aims  and
objectives. To lead on developing and where appropriate sustaining partnerships, networks and
advocacy  for  the  programme,  representing  the  school  with  relevant  external  industry  bodies
nationally and internationally as appropriate.

3.  Ensuring that the highest standards are maintained in the recruitment, admission, education and
assessment of BAPA students and to oversee the monitoring of progress, achievement and
welfare of students throughout their period of study.

Managing Staff
4.  To  lead  and  manage  the  Programme  Team  responsible  for  the  delivery  of  the  programme  in
relation  to  matters  of  programme  design,  administration,  delivery,  assessment  and  quality
management.

5.  To  recruit,  induct,  manage  and  appraise  the  academic staff  responsible  for  the  delivery  of  the
programme (as agreed with the Deputy Director of Production and Design), setting, promoting
and  maintaining  appropriate  educational  and  professional  standards  in  all  aspects  of  course
organisation, administration and delivery.

Programme Management
6.  To be responsible for managing the quality of the learning experience in order to meet quality
assurance standards and meet learning outcomes and objectives. This includes evaluating student
feedback and conducting Annual Programme Evaluations; and leading on the revalidation of the
programme,  ensuring  periodic  reviews  are  undertaken  effectively  and  in  accordance  with  the
School’s policies, procedures and academic regulations.

7.  To ensure that admissions, induction, teaching, learning and assessment and feedback processes

are consistent with best practice in Higher Education and vocationally relevant.

8.  To be responsible for the defined programme budget, including the allocation of finances and the
monitoring of spend against the budget, conducting all financial matters associated with the role
in accordance with the School’s policies and procedures.

9.  To  teach,  supervise  and  assess  students  as  necessary  as  appropriate  to  personal  expertise

ensuring that comprehensive feedback is provided to students on all assessed work.

2

10. To work with colleagues in the Guildhall School to ensure the highest possible standards of student
experience in relation to programme promotion, student recruitment, progression and support.

11. To represent the programme at Assessment Boards and the Production Arts Programme Board

and be an active contributing member of the School’s Programme Leaders Group.

12. To  work  with  colleagues  as  appropriate  to  explore  collaborative  opportunities  with  other
programmes;  and  developmental  opportunities  with  regard  to  the  Department’s  portfolio  of
programmes.

Other

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

public domain as an expert in the discipline.

14. 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.

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

professional development, undertaking training when necessary.

16. To seek actively to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and the
City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy in order to A) give due regard at all times to the health
and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties and B) promote equality
of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

17. To  support  the  vision  of  the  Deputy  Director  of  Production  and  Design  and  the  wider  Drama,
Production and Design Department, including in the aim of promoting the Guildhall School both
nationally and internationally.

18. To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the position.

3

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title
Department

Grade & Level

Programme Leader (BA Production Arts)
Guildhall School of Music and Drama – Production Arts
Department
F

Please find below the qualifications, experience and technical skills required to undertake this post.
Each criterion will be assessed at application (A), interview (I) or test (T) as indicated below.

Technical Skills/Professional Qualifications

Essential
•  Degree level qualification in a related subject. (A, I)
•  Significant industry experience in professional production/ design/ realisation. (A, I)
•  Ability to lead on all aspects of learning, teaching, assessment and quality assurance

associated with an undergraduate degree programme. (A, I)

•  Excellent written communication skills in order to develop and maintain an undergraduate

degree programme in accordance with artistic and academic objectives. (A, I)

•  Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to teach students, collaborate on teaching
with a range of academic staff and forge successful links with partner organisations. (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)
•  Ability to lead a team. (A) (I)
•  Ability to determine strategic direction and implement strategic aims. (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)

Desirable
•  HE Teaching qualification or other equivalent qualification in drama/performing

arts/education. (A, I)

•  A Masters Degree would be desirable in an education or performing arts discipline. (A, I)

Experience
Essential
General evidence of professional duties including:
•  Substantial programme/module management within a Higher Education Drama/Performance

(live and digital) context. (A,I)

•  Versatile and creative theatre production arts educator, with significant experience of

teaching and assessment at HE level.

4

•  Significant experience of curriculum development in a theatre/performance

production/digital context (A,I)

•  Proven track record of working in the performing arts/production field within a higher

education setting. (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)

•  Experience of implementing and improving systems in respect of the provision of degree

programmes in a HE setting. (A,I)

•  Experience of managing student recruitment. (A,I)
•  Experience of managing the work of colleagues. (A,I)
•  Excellent interpersonal skills including developing effective and mutually beneficially

relationships with students and colleagues.  (A,I)

•  Experience of managing budgets. (A,I)
•  Experience of working independently under pressure.  (A,I)
•  Ability to anticipate, negotiate and solve problems to ensure a successful outcome. (A,I)
•  Excellent time management skills and able to prioritise and manage own workload. (A,I)

Summary of Terms and Conditions of Employment

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 £59,060 – £66,670 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.

5

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, between 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

Two month 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

6

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

Sickness Absence and Pay

The City of London Corporation has a comprehensive Occupational Sick Pay scheme, details of which
can be found in the Employee Handbook which will be made available to you upon commencement.

7