Interim Head of the School of Acting

Summary of the role

To ensure the smooth day-to-day academic and training operations in the School of Acting, overseeing Course leaders and Heads of Subject during a six-month interim period. The Interim Head of School will oversee teaching, learning and assessment, coordinate teaching staff, support student progression and wellbeing, and maintain quality processes already in place. The focus of the role is operational continuity, problem-solving, and effective running of the department, providing management support to staff and students to ensure an excellence student experience. 

Operational Leadership 

• Manage the daily operational running of the School of Acting. 
• Ensure timetables, teaching cover and room allocations are delivered accurately and efficiently. 
• Act as the first point of contact for escalated staffing or student issues, resolving them promptly. 
• Ensure handbooks, module guides and assessment briefs are issued and updated as required. 
• Ensure creative choices for repertoire and productions are appropriately supportive of   the aims and objectives of the institution and promote the institutional values. 
• Line manage the Deputy Director and the Heads of Department.  

Teaching, Learning and Assessment 

• Support academic staff to deliver high-quality teaching and assessment to agreed standards. 
• Monitor assessment deadlines, marking progress and feedback return rates. 
• Coordinate moderation, external examiner requests and mitigating circumstances processes. 
• Support students needing advice on progress or course expectations. 
• Contribute to teaching and assessment delivery in a specialist area relevant to the School of Acting’s curriculum. 

People and Resource Coordination 

• Line-manage teaching staff within the school on an interim basis. 
• Arrange sessional staff recruitment or teaching cover where necessary. 
• Conduct triage-style performance support for tutors where delivery issues arise. 

Quality and Compliance 

• Manage the School of Acting’s contribution to the preparation for partnership and revalidation activities.  
• Maintain delivery in line with existing quality frameworks, including: 
• attendance monitoring 
• student feedback mechanisms 
• assessment regulations 
• safeguarding and wellbeing requirements 

Student Experience 

• Oversee student communications relating to course delivery, assessments, or timetable changes. 
• Hold regular open-door / drop-in sessions for students. 
• Participate in relevant student-facing events (inductions, showcases, results weeks, open days).