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Leeds Heritage Theatres is seeking a Youth Theatre Programme Director

5 Jun

Leeds Heritage Theatres is looking for a visionary leader to shape, lead and grow an ambitious programme of theatre-making for young people up to the age of 25. You'll oversee and deliver creative training, community outreach & holiday provision, directing productions and embedding year round performance opportunities.

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Youth Theatre Programme Director

  • Salary: £30k-£40k

  • Hours: Full time

  • Artform: Theatre

  • Role: Creative

  • Contract: Permanent

  • Closing date: Mon, 29 Jun 2026

  • Location: Yorkshire

The Youth Theatre Programme Director is an exciting role that combines creative delivery with strategic oversight. This senior role is responsible for the strategic development, delivery, and growth of Leeds Heritage Theatre's (LHT) creative training programmes, including Leeds Grand Youth Theatre (LGYT), Leeds Actors in Training (LAIT), LHT Unwrapped and a range of drama/theatre clubs.

As part of the Learning & Engagement leadership team, you will provide strategic oversight of creative training, contributing to organisational resilience, and ensuring that our work is led by our values of creativity, integrity, inclusivity and passion.

Directing and producing annual shows, the postholder will expand accessible, inclusive pathways for young people to engage in high-quality creative training and performance opportunities at our venues and in communities across Leeds.

The role places learning and participation at the heart of creative practice, ensuring a sustainable programme for young people up to the age of 25, engaging a wide range of participants representative of the city.

Job Requirements

You will bring:
- Significant experience leading high-quality creative training programmes combining creative vision with strong strategic and organisational leadership
- A strong artistic practice and experience as a director or theatre-maker
- The ability to think strategically while delivering excellent work on the ground
- Experience managing people, partnerships, budgets and programmes
- A deep commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, diversity and access in the arts, creating meaningful pathways into the sector for all young people.

You are a collaborative and organised problem solver - and you know how to turn ideas into impactful, sustainable programmes.

Please note that due to the nature of the role you will be subject to enhanced DBS and checks against the Children's Barred List and we will carry out online vetting.

Job Responsibilities

The Youth Theatre Programme Director is part of the Learning & Engagement (L&E) Leadership team, working closely with the Education Manager and the Engagement Manager, supported by the Head of L&E. Each role leads a specialist area to deliver the programme and L&E Strategy:

- Engagement Manager: Focusing on audiences, communities and access for children and adults, providing first point connections with LHT
- Education Manager: Focusing on structured learning and impact through schools, Further and Higher Education, providing greater depth for learners
- Youth Theatre Programme Director: Focusing on creative training and progression for young people, providing advanced training routes

Your responsibilities will include:
- Strategic leadership of creative training for young people
- Creative programme development and delivery
- Partnership working
- People development and management
- Governance, safeguarding and risk management

How to Apply

To apply please complete our online application form via our website.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to apply, please contact [email protected].

If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please contact Mark Hollander, who is working with us as an external recruiter for this post. You can contact Mark at [email protected].

Deadline for applications: Monday 29 June 9 a.m.

- First Round Interviews will be held on Monday 6 & Tuesday 7 July
- Second Round Interviews will be held on Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 July

In a departure from our usual recruitment guidance. Please do not submit a CV and covering letter, as these will not be considered.