Join Our Team - Youth Theatre Programme Director
Purpose of job
To inspire the next generation of theatre-makers.
Leeds Heritage Theatres is looking for a passionate and visionary leader to lead, shape and grow an ambitious programme of theatre-making for young people across the city.
The Youth Theatre Programme Director is a senior role combining creative direction with strategic oversight and programme management. You will be responsible for the overall vision, development and delivery of key programmes, including Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and Leeds Actors in Training. Alongside directing high-quality productions, you will expand community outreach, develop creative holiday provision, and embed year-round performance opportunities, ensuring young people’s work is increasingly visible across our festivals and wider programme.
At Leeds Heritage Theatres, learning is at the heart of everything we do. In this role, you will shape a sustainable, city-wide offer, lead a team of staff and artists, and create meaningful, inclusive pathways for young people into the arts.
About you
You are an experienced and inspiring leader passionate about empowering young people through theatre.
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading high-quality creative training programmes combining creative vision with strong strategic and organisational leadership
- A strong artistic practice and experience as a director or theatre-maker
- The ability to think strategically while delivering excellent work on the ground
- Experience managing people, partnerships, budgets and programmes
- A deep commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, diversity and access in the arts, creating meaningful pathways into the sector for all young people.
You are a collaborative and organised problem solver, and you know how to turn ideas into impactful, sustainable programmes.
For full details of the role please see the job description.
*Please note that due to the nature of the role, you will be subject to enhanced DBS and checks against the Children’s Barred List and we will carry out online vetting.
About us
As a proud Leeds charity at the heart of the city’s cultural life, we inspire connection, nurture talent and make the arts accessible to all.
Across Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House, We present the very best in live performance, music, comedy and film, welcoming around 350,000 audience members each year. We create places where stories are shared, ideas explored and creativity thrives – supporting artists, engaging communities and keeping Leeds’ cultural heartbeat strong.
When we come together, extraordinary things happen. Join us and play your part in shaping something special.
Salary and Benefits
Contract Type: Permanent
Responsible to: Head of Learning & Engagement
Salary: £34,804 per annum
Holiday entitlement: 25 days
Benefits
- Generous average salary pension scheme
- Regular staff offers and discounts for our venues and local businesses
- Free to use Employee Assistance Programme that supports your health and wellbeing
- Personnel investment and training
- Flexible working
Probation Period: Four months
Hours: 37 hours per week (Tue-Sat)
To apply
Applications are made by online form. Please note, the form must be completed in a single session. It cannot be saved and resumed later. As well as the standard details such as name, contact information and references, the form includes six questions (all listed below) designed to prompt thoughtful, focused answers to highlight your experience, ability and understanding of the role. Each question has a maximum response limit of 4,000 characters. Once you submit your application, we will contact you with details of how to submit a separate diversity monitoring form.
(Please note: In a departure from the process set out in the recruitment pack, for this post, you will apply and provide disclosure information through a single online form. Please do not submit a CV and cover letter, as these will not be considered)
The deadline for receipt of applications is Mon 29 June at 9am.
First round interviews will be held on Mon 6 and Tue 7 July. Second round interviews will be held on Mon 13 and Tue 14 July. Interviews will involve a short presentation, a series of questions and a conversation/activity to demonstrate creative practice.
If you need any reasonable adjustments to apply, please contact humanresources@leedsheritagetheatres.com.
If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please contact Mark Hollander at mark@markhollander.co.uk, who is working with us as an external recruiter for this post.
Application questions
- Describe your experience of leading creative training programmes for young people, highlighting the responsibilities you held and the environments in which you have worked. Your answer should tell us what roles you have had, when you were in those roles and for how long, who you worked for, what the training programmes involved, who you delivered them to, what impact the training had, and give us a clear understanding of what role you took in delivering the activities.
- Give us an example(s) of a time when you have designed, delivered and strategically developed new programmes of work. Your answer should tell us what you designed, who you worked with, where and when it was delivered and for whom. You should also tell us about the approach you took to research and evaluate the work and what the lasting impact was.
- Describe your experience of directing or producing theatre work with young people. Your answer should tell us what roles you have had, when you were in those roles and for how long, your employer, the scale of the theatre work, the age group you were working with, the resources you had to deliver the work, how you approached rehearsals and productions, how young people engaged in them and how they were received.
- Tell us about your experience of leading, motivating and managing staff, freelancers or volunteers, including any experience of working with external partners or stakeholders. Your answer should tell us how you have motivated and inspired teams, what communication approaches you have found effective, how you have worked collaboratively with partners or stakeholders, and what challenges you have faced and overcome.
- Describe your approach to creating safe spaces for children and young people in a creative setting and what experience you have of taking on safeguarding responsibilities. Your answer should tell us your understanding of safeguarding young people up to the age of 25 and its importance, how you ensure your work is inclusive, accessible and reaches diverse or under-represented young people, what actions or plans you have put in place to create safe spaces, your understanding of child performance licenses, whether you have had any formal safeguarding training and what role(s) you have taken in managing safeguarding policies, procedures and compliance.
- Describe your experience of managing budgets and resources within a programme to ensure effective planning, organisation and long-term sustainability. Your answer should give us specific examples and clearly demonstrate what your responsibilities were, what scale of work you were managing the resources for and what the outcome was, and how your approach contributed to the sustainability or success of the programme.
Our organisation is actively seeking applications from people from the global majority and those with a disability.
We are committed to promoting safeguarding and the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Therefore, all appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and relevant roles will need to complete an enhanced DBS check.