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 one or more of the following areas: Music Performance & Songwriting, Music and Sound for Film/Game, or Electronic Music Production.
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.
You will take ownership of the academic coherence and delivery of a degree programme, ensuring students receive a joined-up and supportive learning experience from start to finish.
You will:
- 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.
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.
- 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, colleagues, industry partners, and community representatives.
- Knowledge of regulations, ethical standards, and quality frameworks governing higher education in the UK, including familiarity with awarding body requirements and academic regulations.
- Knowledge of strategies to enhance student experience and approaches to teaching and learning that promote student success, progression, and satisfaction.
- Understanding of portfolio-based and UDL-informed assessment approaches and their application in a higher education context.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong and productive working relationships with students, academic colleagues, and industry partners.
- Strong organisational and self-management skills, with the ability to manage concurrent academic responsibilities across a busy and varied calendar.
- Commitment to inclusive, equity-informed teaching practice and to creating a learning environment that supports students from diverse backgrounds.
- Proficiency in data analysis and the technology tools used for student record management, timetabling, and reporting.
- Commitment to excellence in higher education and to the ongoing development of professional practice.
- Commitment to continuing professional development and to maintaining professional standards through reflective practice, sector engagement, and CPD activity.
- Commitment to developing and maintaining internal and external networks with academic and non-academic partners and stakeholders.
- The opportunity to shape and lead a flagship creative degree programme
- Strong institutional support and a collaborative cross-campus academic network
- A creative, industry-facing environment with real student impact
- Opportunities for professional development and academic progression
Please submit a CV and covering letter outlining your experience and relevant specialism. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. Course allocation will be confirmed at offer stage based on institutional needs and expertise.
