Staff Tutor in Film and Media in Milton Keynes

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: Not a fixed term contract.

Change your career, change lives. The Open University is the UK's largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education, combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join The Open University as a Staff Tutor in Film and Media in the School of Creative Industries. We are looking for a dedicated individual to join a team developing innovative and vocational online learning resources across our forthcoming BA in Film and Media. As an academic member of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the School of Creative Industries, you will have a key role in keeping the OU in the forefront of supported distance higher education, particularly in designing and facilitating effective teaching of the School’s modules, qualifications and programmes. You will also contribute to the academic life of the Discipline through your scholarship and/or research.

As a Staff Tutor you will be responsible for the selection, monitoring and staff development of part-time Associate Lecturers (ALs), who will teach across our theoretical and practical creative modules, in our forthcoming BA Film and Media. For this full-time role, we are particularly interested in experience of line management and curriculum development. The post is designated as a homeworker; however, some travel to Milton Keynes and other locations in the UK will be required.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) is the largest and most diverse faculty at The Open University, with some 50,000 students studying our modules with excellent completion rates and consistently outstanding student satisfaction ratings. Noted for the strength of our interdisciplinary approaches, our researchers and scholars of international standing teach and research a very wide range of topics and themes in specific subject areas, recognised as world class or internationally excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2021, and having a direct and profound influence on our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

The Faculty works closely with major and influential organisations and institutions in the UK (most notably the BBC) and other parts of the world in a range of validated partnerships and collaborations, and is engaged in world-class, agenda-setting research tackling the most difficult challenges facing us in the 21st Century, with work in numerous subject-based and interdisciplinary research groups and projects.

With around 1800 members of staff, comprising academics, associate lecturers, support staff and full-time research students, working across the locations of the University, and combining originality and innovation in research and curriculum, FASS is a vibrant and exciting place to study and work.

The person appointed will be expected to contribute in the following ways:

• Contribute as an academic to the development and presentation of the School’s emerging curriculum in formal and informal learning opportunities and by contributing to module teamwork.
• Act on behalf of the School of Creative Industries in the recruitment and line management of Associate Lecturers (AL).
• Organise and implement an appropriate staff development programme, i.e. to train, supervise and support the work of ALs, encompassing face-to-face, online and correspondence tuition, telephone and other electronic support methods and to monitor their feedback on students’ assignments.
• Contribute to the work of the School’s Student Support Team; be actively involved in developing and implementing policy and practice designed to support student success.
• Provide a link between Associate Lecturer Services, the Student Support Team and the School.
• Organise timetables for blended tuition, including face-to-face day schools, online tutorials, forums, and aspects of collaborative and team working required of ALs.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of student learning communities.
• Contribute to scholarship or research in the School of Creative Industries in areas of strength existing in the School or to developments of theory and practice in learning and teaching.
• Be actively involved in developing and implementing diversity and widening participation initiatives, both for students and ALs and supporting student groups with additional needs.

About You

• Industry experience in the Film or TV sector as evidenced by a portfolio and showreel of recent work.
• Relevant experience of management within teaching and student support (HE or equivalent).
• Line management experience and ability to select, manage, motivate and provide staff development for Associate Lecturers.
• Experience of curriculum design and development.
• An understanding of the issues of student access, retention, diversity and success.
• Proficient IT and Media production skills and experience of using industry standard software in the Film, Streaming, social media and TV sectors.
• Evidence of excellent communication and organisational skills, including the ability to work to deadlines.
• Evidence of administrative and data management skills.
• The ability to travel to undertake School work as required in Milton Keynes and other locations in the UK.
• An understanding of the ethos and values of The Open University including the principles and practice of equality and diversity, and the ability to work in a manner which aligns to these.
• A PhD or MFA in film or media practice or related subject.
• Knowledge and experience of online learning environments; proven ability to be innovative in forms of teaching and learning.
• FE/HE teaching qualification or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE).
• Film or TV production credits.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work-life balance. We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement, please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing 21 September and likely to be 23 and 24 September 2026. Early closing date notification: While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.