Head of Directing in London

Head of Directing in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
LONDON FILM SCHOOL

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and inspire the Directing department at a world-renowned film school.
  • Company: Join Britain’s longest established conservatoire for filmmakers in Covent Garden.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 30 days leave, pension scheme, professional development, and family-friendly policies.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that values innovation and excellence.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of filmmaking education and work with industry-leading professionals.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Director or teaching directing at MA level required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

About LFS

This is an exciting opportunity to become an integral part of the team at Britain’s longest established and world-famous conservatoire for filmmakers. The school, now in its 70th anniversary year, is based in Covent Garden in the heart of London. LFS alumni include famous veterans (Mike Leigh, Michael Mann, Tak Fujimoto, Ann Hui) and famous younger filmmakers including Carla Simon, Oliver Hermanus, Babak Jalali, and the creator of End of the Fking World, Jonathan Entwistle. LFS is one of only two film schools in the UK to have been awarded ‘world leading’ specialist provider institution status and funding from the Office for Students.

Job Summary

London Film School is seeking an experienced and forward thinking Head of Directing to lead one of its core creative departments within a world renowned film school. This is a senior role for an established practitioner. You should have experience as a Director in film/high-end drama and/or a significant history of teaching directing for filmed drama at MA level. As Head of Directing you will lead the academic, creative, and operational direction of the Directing department. You will oversee teaching across our Masters programmes and specialist short courses, contribute directly to teaching and assessment, and play a key role in evolving a practice-led, industry relevant curriculum. You will research, build and maintain strong relationships with leading Directors in the UK, ensuring students are taught by current practitioners and exposed to emerging ideas, technologies, and workflows.

What You’ll Do

  • Lead and develop high-quality teaching and supervision across postgraduate programmes
  • Shape and refresh curriculum content in collaboration with the Year Lead and Course Leaders
  • Recruit, support, and inspire industry-experienced tutors and refresh and review the pool available on a continuing basis
  • Jointly lead the student selection process for new MAF students
  • Maintain an active professional profile and contribute to research or creative practice
  • Manage departmental staff, budgets, and resources
  • Contribute to teaching with each cohort
  • Represent the department on academic committees and through an industry Advisory Board
  • Support students through teaching, mentoring, and assessment
  • Contribute to student recruitment and admissions activity

Whether your background is primarily in teaching or deeply rooted in the industry, if you are ready to lead, inspire and contribute to an institution consistently ranked among the top 15 filmmaking academies globally, we want to hear from you.

We offer a competitive staff benefits package including 30 days leave per annum (pro rata for part-time staff), employer matched contributory pension scheme (4%), season ticket and hardship loan schemes, professional development, cycle to work scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and a suite of family-friendly policies.

How to apply

To apply, please upload your CV, together with a supporting statement outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role, plus the completed equalities monitoring form, by 9am on Thursday 21st May 2026. LFS is an equal opportunities employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we especially encourage applications from people who identify as disabled and/or identify as LGBTQIA, Black, Asian or are from minority ethnic backgrounds as these groups are under-represented at all levels of staff at LFS. We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you. We offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability, who meet the essential criteria for the role.

Our people are at the heart of what we do at London Film School. Our organisational values define what LFS stands for and what we believe in. They guide our purpose and direction and set the tone for a positive workplace culture. Our six values are:

  • Innovation & Excellence
  • Inclusivity & Respect
  • Feedback & Collaboration
  • Empathy, Accountability & Integrity
  • Safe & Inclusive Spaces
  • Kindness

Applicants must be able to provide proof of their ongoing right to live and work in the UK.

Head of Directing in London employer: LONDON FILM SCHOOL

London Film School is a prestigious institution located in the vibrant Covent Garden area of London, offering an inspiring work environment for creative professionals. As an employer, LFS prioritises employee growth through professional development opportunities and fosters a collaborative culture rooted in innovation and inclusivity. With competitive benefits such as generous leave, a contributory pension scheme, and family-friendly policies, LFS is dedicated to supporting its staff while shaping the next generation of filmmakers.
LONDON FILM SCHOOL

Contact Detail:

LONDON FILM SCHOOL Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Directing in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, workshops, and film festivals to meet people in the field. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream role.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your passion! When you get an interview, let your enthusiasm for directing shine through. Share your vision and ideas about the future of film – it’ll set us apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Research the school! Knowing about LFS’s history, values, and notable alumni can help us tailor our approach. It shows we’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their legacy.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen. Plus, we can easily keep track of any updates or additional requirements directly from the source.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Directing in London

Directing
Teaching Experience
Curriculum Development
Mentoring
Industry Knowledge
Relationship Building
Creative Practice
Assessment Skills
Leadership
Project Management
Communication Skills
Student Recruitment
Collaboration
Budget Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Directing role. Highlight your experience in directing and teaching, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects or collaborations that align with our values at LFS.

Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Clearly outline how your skills and experiences meet the job requirements. Use specific examples to demonstrate your leadership and innovative teaching methods.

Showcase Your Industry Connections: As we value strong relationships with industry professionals, mention any connections you have with leading directors or your involvement in current industry trends. This will show us you’re plugged into the filmmaking world!

Follow Application Instructions: Don’t forget to upload all required documents, including the equalities monitoring form. Following instructions shows attention to detail, which is crucial for this role. Apply through our website to ensure your application is received!

How to prepare for a job interview at LONDON FILM SCHOOL

✨Know Your Craft

As a candidate for Head of Directing, it's crucial to showcase your deep understanding of directing in film and high-end drama. Brush up on your past projects and be ready to discuss your creative process, influences, and how you’ve evolved as a director. This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also your passion for the craft.

✨Engage with the Curriculum

Familiarise yourself with the current curriculum at LFS and think about how you can contribute to its evolution. Be prepared to share ideas on how to refresh course content and integrate emerging technologies into teaching. Showing that you’re proactive about curriculum development will impress the interviewers.

✨Build Connections

Highlight your existing relationships with industry professionals and your approach to building new ones. Discuss how these connections can benefit students and enhance their learning experience. This shows that you’re not just a teacher but a bridge between students and the industry.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As this is a senior role, it’s important to convey your leadership philosophy. Share examples of how you’ve inspired and supported teams in the past. Discuss your approach to mentoring students and staff, and how you plan to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment within the department.

Head of Directing in London
LONDON FILM SCHOOL
Location: London

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