Program Convenor - GDS

Job Description

Synopsis: Program Convenor – Graduate Diploma of Screen – Ongoing, Full Time

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We are looking for an experienced academic leader and screen practitioner to join our Teaching & Learning team as Program Convenor - Graduate Diploma of Screen. In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

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• Lead the establishment and delivery of a new postgraduate program at Australia's national screen and audio school.
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• Shape high-quality, inclusive and industry-connected learning experiences for emerging screen practitioners.
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• Work collaboratively across Teaching & Learning, Production, Student Centre and industry networks to support a contemporary and future-focused program.
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Salary: AFTRS Academic 3, Tier 3 ($179,528) + 15.4% super, and excellent benefits.

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Close Date: The closing date for applications is Sunday 4 October 2026 11:59pm. Late applications cannot be accepted.

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About AFTRS

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AFTRS is the national screen and audio school – the only Australian education institution to consistently make The Hollywood Reporter's prestigious annual list of the top film schools in the world. Working hand-in-hand with the screen and broadcast industries, AFTRS is a global centre of excellence that delivers the highest level of screen and audio education, training and research across Australia.

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About the Role

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Under the direction of the Director, Teaching & Learning, the Program Convenor - Graduate Diploma of Screen is responsible for providing dedicated academic and operational leadership for the development, coordination and delivery of the Graduate Diploma of Screen program. The role ensures Course Learning Outcomes are delivered according to the approved curriculum, supports high-quality and inclusive student learning experiences, and provides clear accountability for program planning, curriculum coordination, teaching team coordination, assessment oversight, academic quality, student support and course implementation.

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The Convenor will support the establishment and first delivery of the new program, including accreditation and governance processes, recruitment and onboarding of teaching staff, student communications, course monitoring and continuous improvement. The role works closely with internal stakeholders to ensure the program is delivered in a timely, sustainable and well-coordinated way, within agreed budget, workload and resourcing frameworks.

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A key purpose of the role is to connect the program closely with the screen production sector and ensure its production activities reflect contemporary industry practice. Drawing on substantial professional experience and current industry knowledge, the Convenor will support the integration of real-world production systems, workflows and expectations across the program, helping students develop the practical understanding and professional ways of working needed for the screen industry.

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Key Accountabilities

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• Course Development and Academic Leadership: Oversee the development and implementation of the Graduate Diploma of Screen program to ensure Course Learning Outcomes are delivered according to the approved curriculum and students are supported to achieve high-quality outcomes in culturally safe learning environments.\n
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  • Lead course development, planning, and coordination.
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  • Coordinate curriculum delivery, assessment, academic quality processes and course monitoring in line with AFTRS governance requirements.
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  • Work with Production, Technology and Student Centre teams to ensure program activities, student support and student communications are coordinated and effective.
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  • Ensure academic governance and deliver on key milestones
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• Teaching Team Leadership: Lead, induct, coach and support the program teaching team to deliver best-practice creative practice pedagogies and flexible, inclusive teaching strategies.\n
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  • Support recruitment, induction and onboarding of teaching staff ahead of program commencement.
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  • Provide timely feedback, guidance and support to teaching staff to ensure consistent delivery standards.
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  • Promote culturally and psychologically safe learning and working environments.
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• Program Planning, Resourcing and Implementation: Coordinate planning and implementation activities for the Graduate Diploma of Screen, including timelines, budget management, production planning, documentation, staffing preparation, student communications and resource allocation.\n
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  • Work with the Director, Teaching & Learning, Head of Curriculum, Head of Program Resourcing and relevant teams to ensure program documentation, staffing, production activities, and delivery requirements are prepared to agreed timelines.
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  • Monitor and manage the program budget, working within approved financial parameters and identifying opportunities to optimise resources while maintaining educational quality and student experience.
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  • Ensure course delivery is implemented within agreed budget, workload, staffing and resource frameworks, and that production activities are appropriately scoped, scheduled and resourced.
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  • Contribute to recruitment materials, implementation planning and establishment of course leadership arrangements.
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  • Monitor, manageand escalation risks relating to delivery readiness, budget, staffing, academic quality and student experience.
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• Student Experience, Assessment and Progression: Ensure students have the information, support and direction required to participate successfully in the program.\n
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  • Work with the Student Centre and teaching team to identify and respond to student academic and wellbeing support needs.
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  • Oversee assessment processes, academic progression and course-level student feedback in line with AFTRS policy and governance requirements.
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  • Manage and escalation course-level grievances and complex issues in accordance with AFTRS policies and procedures.
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• Industry and Partner Engagement: Develop and maintain constructive relationships with industry stakeholders and partners to ensure the program remains contemporary, relevant and aligned with current and emerging screen and broadcast industry needs.
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• Production Coordination and Compliance: Work collaboratively with Production to ensure course production activity is appropriately planned, communicated, resourced and delivered in accordance with the relevant course production handbook, AFTRS policies, safety requirements and agreed production protocols.
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• Teaching and Subject Leading: Teach, subject lead and/or contribute to assessment in an area of specialist knowledge, in accordance with agreed workload, curriculum, timetable, resources and AFTRS teaching requirements.
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• Other Duties: There may be a requirement to undertake tasks outside the scope of the responsibilities listed to support the organisation. AFTRS will engage in a conversation should these tasks arise.
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About you – You Have:

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• Academic Qualifications: Ability to meet the requirements of the Academic Employee Qualifications Policy, including holding a relevant Doctoral degree or establishing equivalence through relevant academic, professional and/or practice-based experience or expertise. Please contact HR if you are unsure about your eligibility under this policy.
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• Academic Leadership: Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, including curriculum delivery, academic quality processes, assessment standards, governance requirements and continuous improvement.
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• People Leadership: Substantial management experience in higher education, further education or a related creative education environment, with the ability to lead, coach, manage, motivate and develop a high-performing team.
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• Industry Experience and Networks: Substantial recent experience working as a screen and/or broadcast industry practitioner, with relevant professional engagement in the sector, an active industry network, and a strong understanding of contemporary production practices, workforce expectations and emerging industry needs.
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• Program Planning and Implementation: Demonstrated experience coordinating program planning, implementation and delivery across multiple stakeholders, timelines and resource requirements.
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• Student Learning and Progression: Experience supporting quality student learning outcomes, managing complex student needs, and overseeing assessment, progression, feedback and course-level issues.
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• Safe and Inclusive Practice: Experience creating culturally and psychologically safe learning and working environments.
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Please note that the successful applicant will be required to:

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• Hold the unrestricted and indefinite Right to Work in Australia at the time of applying.
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• Undertake a NSW Working with Children Check.
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• Undertake a National Police Check
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Diversity, Flexibility and Accessibility

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As a creative organisation, we understand the importance of offering flexible working to support your own creativity, wellbeing, and balance. We will genuinely consider applications for job share and part time working. We also support working from home and flexible working hours.

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AFTRS is committed to building a richly diverse staff and faculty. AFTRS actively supports and appreciates workplace diversity, First Nations values, and we strongly encourage and welcome applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a wide range of backgrounds, and people with a disability.

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We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments through our recruitment and selection process. Requests for reasonable adjustments will be treated confidentially and will not disadvantage your application. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please email jobs@aftrs.edu.au or call 02 9805 6610. Further information can be found in the AFTRS Candidate Accessibility Pack .