Head of MA Drama Directing Old Vic Theatre School

Head of MA Drama Directing at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

2 min read

Aug. 17, 2026

The following vacancy is being advertised by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School:

Contract: 0.8 FTE (Fixed-term)
Salary: £32,869 p.a. (based on the full-time equivalent of £38,550 per annum)
Reports To: Artistic Director
Responsible For: All freelance tutors engaged for the course
Department: Masters Courses
Location: The normal place of work is Downside Road, Bristol but travel to other sites and venues will be required.

Are you an experienced director with a passion for training the next generation of professionals? Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BOVTS) invites applications for the Head of Drama Directing course. This is a unique opportunity to lead, mentor, and inspire the next generation of creative voices in a world-class training environment.

As Head of Course, you will oversee curriculum delivery, manage staffing, and foster vital industry connections. Your leadership will ensure our MA students receive rigorous training, balancing academic reporting with hands-on, practical directing experience. You will collaborate with our dynamic faculty, working alongside colleagues in Writing, Performance Design and Voice Studies to drive artistic excellence.

We are seeking an inspiring professional with substantial directing experience, a sophisticated understanding of the UK theatre industry, and a proven track record in Higher Education. An MA in Drama (or related field) is essential, alongside strong organizational skills.

At BOVTS, you will join a close-knit, supportive community committed to diversity and flexible working.

• Substantial experience of drama directing
• A sophisticated understanding of the drama industry in the UK
• Experience of teaching drama directing
• Organisational skills, particularly regarding scheduling
• Experience of working in Higher Education
• An MA in Drama or a related field
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in your approach
• To be a strong team player in a close-knit, supportive environment
• Substantial experience of drama directing across a wide varietyof genre and media
• A sophisticated understanding of the drama industry beyondthe UK

Applications close Friday 28th August 2026.

Interviews are planned to take place during the week of 1st September 2026
The ideal start date for this role would be 12th October 2026