Programme Leader – Cert HE Foundation Acting

Job
Overview

Overview

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts is recognised as a world leading centre of excellence for creative learning and vocational training within the performing arts and creative economies. We enjoy an international and national reputation for the quality of our teaching, our world class facilities and an enviable track record of graduate employment and alumni successes.

This is our 30th anniversary year and is an exciting time to join us, as our new Strategic Plan for 2027–2032 is developed and embedded, we expand our postgraduate portfolio and build on newly awarded probationary degree-awarding powers.

What you’ll do

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Programme Leader to take academic and operational ownership of both our Cert HE Foundation Acting Stage & Screen and Musical Theatre programmes. This is a pivotal role for a skilled educator-practitioner ready to influence curriculum, inspire students, and ensure an outstanding, industry-relevant learning experience.

As Programme Leader, you will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management across all aspects of the programmes. You will ensure academic excellence, drive innovation in teaching and assessment, and maintain a vibrant, inclusive, and professionally aligned learning environment.

This role blends creative leadership, academic management, and student engagement, offering the opportunity to directly shape emerging talent within a dynamic performing arts setting.

This is a key leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape the next generation of multi-skilled performers while driving academic excellence and innovation in vocational training. You will be a skilled educator and practitioner with a strong background in Acting Stage & Screen, Musical Theatre elements and higher education. Your responsibilities include:

Curriculum Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of an industry-relevant curriculum aligned with national standards

• Ensure teaching and learning practices are effective, innovative, and professionally grounded

• Collaborate across departments to ensure effective staffing, scheduling, and interdisciplinary integration

• Support and guide Level Leaders to maintain high-quality programme delivery

Assessment & Academic Standards

• Oversee assessment processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, and academic integrity

• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of materials for assessment boards

• Promote meaningful, developmental feedback practices

Quality Assurance & Enhancement

• Maintain programme documentation and ensure compliance with institutional frameworks

• Lead monitoring and reporting processes to support continuous improvement

• Work closely with external examiners and quality teams to uphold standards

• Contribute to Programme Boards and evaluation processes

Student Recruitment & Support

• Contribute to recruitment strategy, marketing initiatives, and selection processes (including auditions/interviews)

• Support student induction and ongoing academic guidance

• Drive recruitment and retention to meet programme targets

Wider Contribution

• Engage in institutional initiatives, staff development, and collaborative projects

• Demonstrate flexibility and commitment to a high standard of service and teamwork

Who we’re looking for

You are a passionate educator and experienced practitioner with a strong connection to the performing arts industry. You bring both academic credibility and professional insight, alongside the leadership skills needed to manage and inspire.

The ideal candidate will have a degree or equivalent qualification, with proven expertise in programme leadership or management. A postgraduate or AdvanceHE Fellowship would be advantageous. Experience of programme leadership or academic management is essential, as is the ability to contribute to curriculum development and delivery.

You should have a clear understanding of contemporary industry practices and be able to prepare students for professional careers through high-quality, practice-based teaching. Experience of assessment, interdisciplinary teaching, and higher education quality processes is expected.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively, lead teams, and support student development in an inclusive learning environment.

In return we offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, Teacher’s pension contribution and holiday entitlements, complimentary tickets to our inhouse productions, and the opportunity to become part of our unique international community of creatives, performers, technicians, managers, cultural leaders, and filmmakers.

The postholder would ideally be available to start from September or as soon as possible thereafter.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 19th May 2026 at 12.00 noon

Interview date: W/C 25th May 2026

You can download or request a hard copy of the details, and an application form related to this post from our website on the following link:

https://lipa.ac.uk/about-us/working-here/

CV’s will not be accepted.

Should you have any questions about the application process or require reasonable adjustments for your application, please contact our Recruitment Team on recruit@lipa.ac.uk or 0151 330 3091.

Please send your completed application form to recruit@lipa.ac.uk

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunity’s employer, LIPA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

As part of our Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 we are seeking to increase the diversity within our community and would particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities and those identifying as female, non-binary or trans-gender.

Appointments will always be made on merit.

LIPA - a registered charity No. 1001565.