Director of School of Creative Technologies, Design and Enterprise

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) is one of the world’s leading specialist providers of creative learning and specialist vocational training. Founded by Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty OBE, we have built an international reputation for excellence, innovation and industry-connected learning, developing graduates who shape and influence the creative and cultural industries across the globe.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, this is an exciting moment in the institution’s history.

Having successfully been awarded probationary New Degree Awarding Powers, we are preparing to award our own degrees for the first time. Alongside this significant achievement, the institution is delivering ambitious estate developments, expanding creative technologies infrastructure, strengthening industry and civic partnerships, and developing a new Strategic Plan that will shape the next phase of our evolution.

We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Director of the School of Creative Technologies, Design and Enterprise.

The Opportunity

The school brings together a distinctive portfolio of programmes spanning:

• Filmmaking and Creative Technologies
• Sound Technology
• Theatre and Performance Design
• Theatre and Production Technology
• Management for the Creative Industries

Reporting directly to the Principal and CEO, the Director will provide strategic leadership for the school, shaping its future direction, academic portfolio, industry engagement and contribution to the Institution’s strategic ambitions.

The successful candidate will lead curriculum innovation, pedagogical development and academic enhancement, ensuring that provision remains industry relevant, technologically informed and responsive to the rapidly evolving creative landscape. They will champion interdisciplinary collaboration, support the development of new undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities, and ensure an outstanding experience for students and staff.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Director will contribute to institutional strategy and play a pivotal role in delivering the next Strategic Plan, helping to position the

Institution as a world-leading centre of excellence for creative and vocational learning.

About You

We are seeking an inspirational and collaborative leader with:

• Significant leadership experience within higher education, specialist arts education or a related creative sector environment.
• A strong understanding of contemporary developments in creative technologies, design, production, enterprise and the wider creative industries.
• Experience of curriculum leadership, academic quality assurance and strategic planning.
• A track record of building productive relationships with industry, employers and external partners.
• A commitment to innovation, inclusion, student success and professional practice.
• The credibility, vision and ambition to represent LIPA at regional, national and international levels.

Most importantly, you will share our commitment to developing artists, performers and creative leaders not for themselves alone, but for the cultural and creative benefit of the wider world.

Why Join us?

This is an opportunity to join an Institution at a transformative moment. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary and prepare to award our own degrees for the first time, expand our estate and specialist facilities, and develop an ambitious Strategic Plan for 2027–2032, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of creative learning and vocational training.

We have recently successfully completed the New Degree Awarding Powers assessment process and will commence awarding its own degrees, marking a significant milestone in the Institution’s evolution. Alongside this achievement, we are investing in the continued development of our estate, creative technologies infrastructure and specialist learning environments, ensuring our students benefit from industry-leading facilities and opportunities.

With a growing international alumni community, strong partnerships across the creative, cultural, education and technology sectors, and an established reputation for interdisciplinary practice, innovation and graduate success, we are uniquely positioned to influence the future of creative learning and the creative industries.

Located in the heart of Liverpool, one of the world’s great cultural cities, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to an ambitious, collaborative and forward-looking Institution with an increasingly significant regional, national and international profile.

Remuneration and benefits: SPOT Salary commensurate with director level appointment and Teachers’ Pension.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and what you believe you will bring to the role to ***email_hidden*** by Thursday 16th July at 12pm and interview date will be Friday 31st July 2026. Expressions of interest could include the following:

What relevant experience you believe qualifies you for the role.

The knowledge and skills you can bring to the role, both subject-specific and administrative/managerial.

What you feel your immediate priorities might be, were you to be appointed.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

LIPA is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equitable opportunities for all. We actively encourage applications from under-represented groups and are dedicated to building a diverse community that reflects the industries we serve.