Head of Musical Theatre

Job Title: Head of Musical Theatre

Department: Management

Responsible to: Principal

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum, 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays

Job Type: Permanent

Terms: Full and Part time options available to include teaching and administrative duties

Start date: To be agreed depending on availability.

Location: Located at our brand new facilities in Letchworth Garden City. From time to time the post holder will be required to work at other locations performing other duties that are deemed appropriate to meet the needs of the business.

Emil Dale Academy is a pioneering and leading musical theatre training institution, offering intensive, professional, triple-threat training, led by industry professionals in world-class facilities.

We are keen to invite applicants from a broad range of professional experiences and we anticipate this role appealing to individuals who already have an established career within the industry or performing arts education - or both.

This is a brand-new role at a crucial turning point in the next chapter of the Emil Dale Academy. We’re looking for a passionate dedicated individual who wants to make a difference and hit the ground running in this role.

You may be a Director, Musical Director, Artistic Director, Producer, Casting Director, Agent or Lecturer/Programme Lead with experience in musical theatre education. In addition to this the successful applicant will also have a desire to contribute directly to the training and preparation of the next generation of performing artists. with a passion for nurturing and supporting students in training.

For the right applicant(s), job share opportunities could be discussed.

We are passionate about empowering students through outstanding musical theatre training, and by nurturing intelligent and critical performers. The goal is for students to have impeccable technique and skills across all three disciplines of acting, singing and dance, and to be able to earn a sustainable living in the performing arts industry.

EDA believes our work is stronger by the many voices, perspectives, and experiences that are celebrated and encouraged, both on-stage and off, trailblazing new thought and ideas to stimulate change and encourage excellence within the industry.

The role

The Head of Musical Theatre will work within the senior management team to deliver excellence across all disciplines. To us, excellence equals outstanding technical skill, broad industry knowledge, flawless technique as well as an understanding of all disciplines, passion, determination and resilience in our students.

Emil Dale Academy only deliver all round Musical Theatre courses and the Head of Musical Theatre will provide leadership for all courses. This is an exciting new management role for someone with a broad understanding of all three disciplines and current industry experience. This role will focus on the student experience and placement of exceptional practitioners to teach students.

The role will require a combination of both teaching, leading creative projects, covering multi-disciplinary areas as well as teacher observations and departmental administration to ensure quality and alignment in and out of the classroom.

The Course Leaders will take lead on curriculum-required learning for specific modules for students’ qualifications, and the Head of Musical Theatre will work closely to ensure accurate and timely delivery of modules and designated project requirements.

The role will require review of course delivery, ensuring the courses are vocationally relevant, responding to industry trends and best practices, and encouraging innovation and change.

The Head of Musical Theatre will work collaboratively with the Head of Dance, Course Leaders to deliver the best and most relevant timetable of classes for student development, ensuring the quality of teaching is outstanding across the board.

The role will support student recruitment and admissions, attending events and participation in auditions and interviews.

Key responsibilities and duties

- Provide strong leadership, overseeing the triple-threat delivery of all courses/ classes at EDA.

- To act as line manager for Head of Departments, Resident Teachers and Course Leaders / To lead Heads of Department, and Course Leaders to ensure continuity throughout departments.

- Support the recruitment of resident and guest teachers who are industry professionals to deliver classes and modules at EDA, and oversee their performance.

- Teach all year groups weekly to gather a real understanding of students, their current capabilities in order to manage and encourage measured improvements.

- Support the delivery of projects and productions, this could be creatively or overseeing them as a whole dependant on the needs of the business.

- Oversee delivery of private sector modules, projects and/or productions.

- Undertake, as required, the necessary administrative duties to support the management of the Academy and course delivery.

- Support the student experience and discover innovate ways to enhance this throughout their studentship.

- Be responsible for deploying and engendering an overall culture in line with the student code of conduct, policies and practice across the school.

- Support the working and best practices of the Academy from course delivery to welfare, production to graduate performance.

- Participate in student recruitment, admissions and partnership development activities.

- Help develop strategy for recruitment of students, including driving new events, ideas and contribute to the strategic direction of the school.

- Support, promote and attend productions and events at EDA both internally and externally.

- Work within the company’s established policies and practices including equal opportunities, safeguarding, artistic and social policies.

While every effort has been made to describe the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task necessary for the successful performance of the role may not be specifically identified. The Head of Musical Theatre may therefore be required to undertake other tasks and duties that are commensurate with the nature of the role and/or in the reasonable discretion of EDA.

Personal Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential -

Significant and relevant industry experience And/or

Degree qualified or equivalent professional/ vocational qualification.

Desirable –

Experience of teaching within a vocational training institution.

Safeguarding training.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) training.

Prevent training.

Experience, knowledge and skills

Essential –

Specialist knowledge of current musical theatre industry and practice, including:

Authoritative knowledge of the work practices processes and procedures in professional theatre and musical theatre, including broader national and international industry awareness

Comprehensive knowledge of all three disciplines (musical direction, choreography, directing) with the ability to teach any if required.

Understanding of the musical theatre landscape and predicted industry shifts.

Demonstrable understanding of the skillsets and experience expected of graduating students seeking performance work in the industry.

Demonstrable understanding of current requirements and expectations in relation to the creation of professional portfolios, self-marketing materials, business management, casting and auditioning processes.

Strong organisational skills, strategic thinker and able to plan and implement decisions

Ability to plan and review own work-load, within complex teaching and delivery structures

Experience and/or commitment to modernising working practices in line with inclusivity and accessibility.

Strong and direct links to industry professionals – performers, agents, casting directors, producers.

Teaching experience in a musical theatre institution.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable –

Experience of creation, design and delivery of curriculum content.

Management experience or the ability to demonstrate having being part of a successful team.

Experience of assessment and quality assurance practices.

Possible experience as a Musical Director, Choreographer or Director with comprehensive knowledge in this area.

On appointment the successful candidate must be able to provide the correct documents as proof of their right to work in the UK.

Email your CV and a covering letter to info@emildale.co.uk

Emil Dale Academy strongly encourage people of colour to apply for our roles. Emil Dale Academy endorses the goals of diversity, inclusion, and the principles of equal opportunity for all students and staff. We are committed to equal treatment regardless of race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, special education needs (‘SEN’), gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, and pregnancy or maternity (‘protected characteristics’).