Job description

The Programme Supervisor Performance Design (Set and Costume) position (equivalent to an Assistant Professor) at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is a full-time role focused on teaching Set and Costume Design at the postgraduate level. The successful candidate will be expected to supervise postgraduate students in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programme (Theatre and Live Performance Creation: Set and Costume Design) and participate as a member of thesis supervisory committees.
The faculty member will mentor postgraduate students as necessary and teach a mix of skills in the postgraduate Set and Costume Design concentration classes (e.g., design foundation, history, and design genres/forms). Additionally, they may take on the roles for Set and Costume Design on SPAA productions (to be confirmed) and supervise MFA student designers working during SPAA productions.

The Programme Supervisor Performance Design (Set and Costume) has a key role in overseeing the dynamic and safe practice within the delivery of set and costume design-related teaching. This lead role requires a skill set where the candidate has extensive practical experience in their field, and a successful record of accomplishment in course management, leading assessment/feedback, budgeting and effectively leading a team. They will work collaboratively alongside the other departments within the Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance and Production Arts programmes and the wider faculty at SPAA. The Programme Supervisor Performance Design (Set and Costume) reports directly to the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies and may be responsible for providing Set and Costume Design to all programmes, in coordination with the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the potential to meet SPAA’s expectations for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, Teaching, and Service as defined in SPAA’s Research and Scholarly Activities policy and Faculty Policies. Maintaining professional engagement at the local, national, and international levels will be encouraged.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Report directly to Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies, and ultimately the Executive Director, to ensure they are kept well-informed in their areas of responsibility.
• Implement the development and delivery of all Set and Costume Design courses within the postgraduate programme. Prioritising safe practice will be fundamental alongside developing and inspiring innovative teaching that connects with multidisciplinary training that remains dynamic and relevant to the industry.
• Organise and facilitate the faculty pertaining to all activities within the Set and Costume Design concentration classes.
• Collaborate with the postgraduate faculty to administer course assessments to deliver structured feedback that supports and enhances learning and development for Set and Costume courses.
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies with timetabling and scheduling for Set and Costume Design courses.
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies in the interview and selection process for hiring additional Designers for productions (as required).
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies in outreach and student recruitment efforts to ensure sustained high levels of enrolment.
• The Programme Supervisor Performance Design (Set and Costume) may take on additional teaching responsibilities related to the postgraduate programme, including managing curriculum documentation, course files, and course administration to adhere to the institution’s quality assurance standards.

Key Interactions
Working as an integral part of the SPAA team, this role involves close collaboration with Programme Leaders, other Supervisors, and Lead Tutors to ensure the highest level of teaching and learning support is provided to students throughout their studies. This collective effort guarantees that courses are executed effectively and efficiently, benefiting students and the broader Sharjah arts community.

Apply via spaa.ae