Programme Leader – Cert HE Foundation Acting

Full time, 37.5 hours per week, permanent

Liverpool, L1 9HF

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: 

• 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
• Oversee assessment processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, and academic integrity
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of materials for assessment boards
• Promote meaningful, developmental feedback practices
• 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
• 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
• 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 postholder would ideally be available to start from September or as soon as possible thereafter.

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

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.

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

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