About the ISTD
ISTD exists to make teaching and learning dance accessible to all.
Our membership is recognised as the mark of quality dance teaching around the world. We support teachers to develop their careers and businesses through progressive training, performance qualifications and events. Together, we aim to build a diverse and sustainable dance profession by championing inclusion and increasing access to dance teaching
The Society is a registered educational charity (250397), regulated examinations board, and membership association. With 6000 members in 59 countries worldwide, we conduct over 120,000 examinations and 20,000 hours of Continuing Professional Development each year.
Summary of Role
- Lead on the development of ISTD’s Teacher Training, Events, Professional Development and Qualification Development.
- Ensure that current and future dance teachers are trained to the highest standards.
- Actively pursue opportunities for new growth, in line with ISTD’s mission and Strategic Plan
- Support the business planning and direction setting for ISTD.
Key Responsibilities:
Departmental duties and responsibilities
- Lead on dance education and training to support ISTD teachers worldwide, working in close collaboration with the Chief Executive, Board, and other Directors.
- Promote growth and innovation by leading on the strategic development of new qualifications, teacher
- Establish clear oversight of product life cycles to ensure new products fulfil their commercial potential, working closely with the Marketing and Examinations departments.
- Lead on the development of online CPD and student events so that members can access high quality, cost-effective training throughout the world.
- Lead on the development and growth of ISTD Academy as a subsidiary company of the ISTD.
- Develop strategies to maximise adoption of new products and services, to generate new members and trainee teachers resulting in greater exam entries, course and event attendance.
- Oversee the distribution of teacher bursaries ensuring parity, inclusion and diversity.
- Act as the Society’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Support initiatives to increase the demographic diversity of the ISTD membership and their students.
Director duties and responsibilities
- Identify and implement strategic opportunities for growth in line with ISTD’s mission, core values and the aims of its strategic plan.
- Foster new partnerships and nurture existing relationships with stakeholders and policymakers nationally and internationally.
- Set and manage departmental budgets, including setting financial targets, approving invoices and contributing to the monthly management account reporting.
- Review and, where necessary, redesign departmental staffing structures to meet the financial and performance targets of the Business Plan.
- Initiate and oversee programmes of continuous improvement to ensure that all work streams are conducted with optimum efficiency and to the highest standards.
- Ensure all services are customer-focused and delivered to the highest quality.
- Work collaboratively with the Chief Executive Officer, Directors and direct reports to ensure that key performance indicators are consistently achieved.
- Support and nurture staff development to ensure high quality delivery of all services.
- As a public facing role, present the values and ideals of ISTD at all times.
- Research and gather business intelligence to support effective business development.
- Undertake any other duties necessary to this post as delegated by the Chief Executive Officer.
Method of application
Please send a letter of application and CV to recruitment@istd.org. The letter of application should summarise what you are able to bring to the role and how you meet the person specification. The successful candidates will also be required to provide details for two recent references that can evidence skills and suitability to carry out this role, (whether in an employed or voluntary capacity).
The closing date for applications is Friday 10th October 2025.
Please download the full job specification and our recruitment pack below
