Department Lead - Theatre (Acting & Music Theatre)

About the role

JMC Academy, Australia's leading private college in the Creative Industries, is recruiting a Department Lead, Theatre for its Brisbane campus. The role provides academic and operational leadership for the Acting and Music Theatre disciplines, reporting to the Head of Faculty, Screen & Stage, with a dotted line to the National Course Leaders in Acting and Music Theatre. It covers teaching excellence, student experience, academic quality, industry engagement, staff leadership and day-to-day department operations.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, industry-led teaching combining professional practice with contemporary pedagogy.
• Lead local course coordination, academic quality, assessment moderation and compliance.
• Drive student success through engagement, retention and progression strategies.
• Lead productions, showcases, performances and industry-facing events.
• Support curriculum review and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Manage local budgets, resources and departmental operations.
• Ensure compliance with TEQSA, the Higher Education Standards Framework, ESOS and JMC policies.
• Build industry partnerships, guest lecturer relationships and placements, and represent the college in professional forums.
• Support marketing, recruitment, Open Days and outreach, and champion digital learning and professional development.

Required profile

• Tertiary qualification in Acting, Music Theatre, Performing Arts or a closely related discipline (Master's highly regarded).
• Significant professional industry experience and ongoing currency in the theatre and performing arts sector.
• Substantial higher education teaching experience, including course coordination, assessment moderation and curriculum development.
• Experience leading academic teams, including performance management, mentoring and staff development.
• Commercial awareness and experience managing budgets and resources.
• Understanding of the Australian higher education regulatory environment (TEQSA, AQF, ESOS, quality assurance).
• Experience overseeing productions, showcases and industry events.
• Working with Children Check held or willing to obtain.

Required skills

• Confident use of learning management systems, digital learning platforms and student management systems.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.

The position is full time and permanent, based in Brisbane, with a competitive salary commensurate with experience. Applicants should submit a CV and a brief cover letter.