Course Leader , Song Writing. Vocal

Course Leader - Performance, Song Writing, Vocal Artistry

dBs Institute | Academic Leadership

Location: Bristol

Salary: £38,000-£42,000 (FTE)

Hours: 22.5 hours per week

Reports To: Quality Lead

Key Relationships: Module Leaders;
Head of Campus; other Course Leaders;
Student Support;
Academic Services;
Executive Head of Student Experience and Campus Life

External Relationships: Falmouth University; industry partners; students; professional bodies

We are looking for a course leader with expertise in Performance, Songwriting and / or Vocals.

This is a key academic leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering a high-quality, industry-relevant student experience across a full degree programme. You will ensure students experience a coherent, well-structured course that supports progression, achievement, and professional development.

The role combines academic leadership, curriculum oversight, student support, and teaching. You will act as the main academic point of contact for students on the course and work closely with Module Leaders to ensure consistency, quality, and progression across all levels.

We are flexible on specialism and workload, with a minimum commitment of 3 days per week and the option to increase to full time depending on course needs, specialism, and teaching allocation.

• Lead and coordinate the student journey across all years of the course
• Act as the primary academic contact for students, supporting progression, module choices, and academic development
• Manage and support Module Leaders to ensure consistent delivery and standards
• Oversee timetabling, delivery planning, and day-to-day academic coordination
• Monitor student progression, retention, and engagement, and intervene where needed
• Lead course review, monitoring, and enhancement activity, including action planning
• Ensure curriculum and assessment remain current, industry-aligned, and academically robust
• Contribute to assessment design, moderation, and standardisation processes
• Teach within your specialist area and maintain active industry relevance
• Support student employability through industry engagement and live projects
• Work collaboratively across campuses to ensure consistency of standards and experience
• Contribute to recruitment, interviews, open days, and outreach activity

dBs Institute operates across three campuses in Bristol, Manchester, and Plymouth as a single faculty. Academic quality, curriculum, and student experience are developed collaboratively across all sites to ensure consistency and excellence.

You will work within a structured academic framework, supported by a Quality Lead, cross-campus Course Leaders, and institutional governance systems. This ensures you are supported in maintaining high standards without working in isolation.

At dBs Institute of Music, we’re committed to a diverse, inclusive creative community and actively encourage applications from women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic practitioners, LGBTQ+ creatives, and those with lived experience of under representation in music and education.

A postgraduate degree in songwriting, performance, vocals, or a closely related discipline; or substantial professional experience at a senior level in the music or creative arts industries that is demonstrably equivalent to postgraduate study.

• A postgraduate degree in songwriting, performance, vocals, or a closely related discipline; or substantial professional experience at a senior level in the music or creative arts industries that is demonstrably equivalent to postgraduate study.
• A higher education teaching qualification or professional recognition (e.g. PGCert HE, FHEA or equivalent), or a commitment to achieving this within an agreed timeframe supported by the institution.
• Experience of teaching, lecturing, training, or mentoring in a higher education, further education, or professional development context.
• Demonstrable professional expertise in songwriting, performance or vocals, with a record of relevant industry practice at professional level.
• Experience of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including students,…