Programme Supervisor-Choreography

Reporting to: Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies and Executive Director

Responsible for: Producing provision within postgraduate programmes; Supervising MFA Choreography students for productions; choreographing some APA productions (under consideration).

Works Closely with: Programme Leaders: Production Arts, Acting, Musical Theatre, and Dance. Production Manager, Programme Supervisors Performance Design: Set and Costume; Producing, Lighting, Sound, Music Direction, and Directing

Start Date: September 2026

Employment Type: Full-Time

Closing date for applications: 15 May 2026

Job Overview

The Programme Supervisor Choreography position (equivalent to an Assistant Professor) at the Academy of Performing Arts (APA) is a full time role focused on teaching at the postgraduate level. The successful candidate will supervise postgraduate students in the Master of Fine Arts programme (Theatre and Live Performance Creation: Choreography) and participate as a member of thesis supervisory committees.

The faculty member will mentor postgraduate students as necessary and teach a mix of skills in the Choreography pathway's postgraduate classes, including Contemporary dance and Musical Theatre choreography. Additionally, s/he may take on the roles of choreographing APA productions (to be confirmed) and overseeing MFA student choreographers (or assistant choreographers) involved in APA Musical Theatre and contemporary Dance productions.

The Programme Supervisor Choreography has a key role in overseeing the dynamic and safe practice within the delivery of choreography related teaching. This lead role requires a skill set where the candidate has extensive practical experience in their field, and a successful track record in course management, leading assessment/feedback, budgeting and effectively leading a team. S/he will work collaboratively alongside the other departments within the performance, dance, and production arts programmes and the wider APA faculty. The Programme Supervisor Choreography reports directly to the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the potential to meet the university's expectations for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, Teaching, and Service as defined in the UAS Research and Scholarly Activities policy and Faculty Policies. Maintaining professional engagement at the local, national, and international levels will be encouraged.

Qualifications

• Terminal Degree (MFA or PhD) or demonstrate and verify equivalent industry or professional experience or additional qualifications in professional performing arts education.
• Musical Theatre choreography and Contemporary Dance are essential skills.
• Significant professional theatre and/or live performance experience as a Choreographer (8 10 years minimum).
• Must be trained in specialist knowledge of Choreography for Musical Theatre and Live Events, (including current software suites).
• Prior experience with providing feedback.
• Knowledge and insight into student performance evaluation.
• Experience with research and scholarly activity, including practice as research.
• Capable of working autonomously and as an integral part of a diverse, multinational team, while exhibiting the emotional intelligence necessary for such environments.
• Ability to work on a flexible schedule, which may include working evenings and weekends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with Office365 Suite (especially Excel).
• Flexible approach to curriculum development and andragogy to suit the Academy's dynamic needs, cultural considerations, and to enhance collaborative education delivery.
• Must be willing to relocate to the UAE.
• Direct industry experience; connections within the theatre and live performance industry for outreach and collaborative purposes.
• Documented success teaching Choreography (or similar course content), and related courses at a post secondary institution and/or mentoring producing students and/or emerging producers.
• Documented success in Choreography (e.g., industry awards).
• Clear understanding of schemes of work and preparing classwork while adhering to course marking systems.
• Experience working within a multinational, multilingual educational environment.
• Experience writing and delivering courses for postgraduate education.
• Experience with educational software (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas).
• Experience teaching Leadership, Entrepreneurial skills, Strategic Planning or similar.
• Experience starting or running a company in a for profit environment.
• Ability to work with students from varying cultural backgrounds and abilities.
• Energetic, driven, creative and dependable.
• Openness to adapting and developing teaching and creative practices.