Head Of Department - Sound

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Sound department at Britain’s longest established and world-famous conservatoire for filmmakers. The school, now approaching its 70th anniversary, is based in Covent Garden in the heart of London. LFS alumni include some legendary behind-the-camera technicians (Roger Pratt, Tak Fujimoto), celebrated directors (Mike Leigh, Michael Mann) but also many in the younger generations, actors (Danny Huston) and many producers and executives across the industry.

The LFS is one of only two film schools in the UK to have received ‘world leading’ institution status and funding from the Office for Students.

Although ALL our students train across key skills (directing, camera, editing) in the first year of the MA Filmmaking course, they can then specialise in Year 2. The school is small (180 students on the Filmmaking course across both years) and operates on a termly (not annual) intake. Students are making film exercises in every one of their six terms with us.

The Head of Department role is a senior one within the school, and reports to the Course Leader of MA Filmmaking, who in turn reports to the Director.

The role combines (and requires) team leadership of the department; tuition and inspiration of our students (who come from all over the world and whose median age is 26), working in small groups; and collaborative work with other key department heads (Sound, Editing, Production Design) and termly tutors in a collegiate fashion to deliver a reliable schedule of study, develop the curriculum, and stretch our students. The role also involves assessment of student work; and student selection / recruitment.

The rewards of the job include the ability to mentor and encourage brilliant and ambitious young people from all over the world who want to develop a professional career in filmmaking, over a two-year period.

The successful applicant should have either an extensive CV of work in professional sound (location or mixing, or both) for film/television drama; or a proven educational history of teaching up to MA level in sound. For those from a primarily industry background, we would like to understand your previous work in training young filmmakers ‘on the job’. For those from a primarily educational background, we would like to understand your technical skills and creative body of work as a filmmaker.

To apply, click the 'apply' button to upload your CV and covering letter. Closing date is 9am on Wednesday, 13 March 2024. A copy of the job description is attached in the 'supporting documents' section below.

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.

Applicants must be able to provide proof of their ongoing right to live and work in the UK. It is a condition of any offer of work for the School, which we may make to you, that you have, or gain, permission to work in the UK. By law, you will not be able to start working for us until you are able to provide evidence that this permission has been granted.

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 reserve the right to close this advert as soon as sufficient applications are received, therefore candidates are advised to submit their application as soon as possible. 

London Film School is celebrated for its commitment to film, innovation and creative freedom, and its reputation for teaching excellence and practical learning. In 2022 London Film School was awarded World-Leading Specialist Provider status by the Office for Students.