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Recruitment

Recruitment for National Drama Advisor (15 hours/week, flexible working)

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The Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) is looking to recruit a National Drama Advisor to replace the current job holder, who is retiring.

SCDA is a registered Scottish Charity providing networking and support for amateur theatre clubs and enthusiasts. The purpose of this role is to provide information, guidance and support to SCDA members, and to promote grassroots community drama across Scotland. Responsibilities will include:

  • Managing a programme of national and bespoke club workshops
  • Recruiting and managing freelancers where required 
  • Evaluating and reporting on activities 
  • Participating in SCDA communications
  • Managing queries from members and external organisations
  • Building relationships and networks with other arts organisations
  • Being an advocate for SCDA and grassroots community drama in Scotland
  • Supporting SCDA to create and maintain safeguarding policies and other guidance documents

The role will suit someone who is able to manage their own time effectively.  They will enjoy working with a range of people using a variety of communication tools.  They will be comfortable being part of a team and taking the lead where required.

SCDA

SCDA provides support and networking to amateur theatre enthusiasts in Scotland. We encourage the development of volunteer-led theatre arts in Scotland through:

  • Supporting and fostering creativity in performance and writing throughout Scotland
  • Supporting members and clubs in artistic, personal and social development
  • Developing links and partnerships throughout the theatrical world and the voluntary sector
  • Acting as an advocate for grassroots communities and amateur theatre

Salary: In the region of £14kpa (£35k FTE).

Reports to: Line Manager appointed by SCDA National Executive

Closing Date: 28 August 2026

Interview Date: Interviews will take place online during week beginning 28 September 2026

Terms: Permanent part-time employee, 15 hours per week (0.4 FTE). Flexible working pattern, reflecting seasonal variations in demand, to be agreed with SCDA.

SCDA would consider a job-sharing arrangement for this post.

Location: Mostly working from home.  There may be a possibility to provide working space at the SCDA Library in Stirling on defined days.  Willingness to travel, to deliver local workshops across Scotland, is essential.

Application process

Please contact us on recruitment@drama.scot to express your interest in applying for the role.  

Interviews with short-listed applicants will be held online during the week beginning 28 September 2026. 

You may be invited to a 2nd interview which will be in person where you will be asked to deliver a short workshop exercise to a small panel.  This will take place in the SCDA library in Stirling during the first half of October.

SCDA strives to apply equal opportunities and diversity principles to all aspects of its work.

All successful candidates are required to join the PVG Scheme (or to have their membership updated).

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to support you through our application or interview process.  You can contact us on recruitment@drama.scot

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment. Original documentation proving this right will be required from the successful candidate

Job Description

Title of post: National Drama Advisor

Reports to: Line Manager (appointed by SCDA National Executive). 

Terms: Permanent part-time employee.

15 hours per week (0.4 FTE), 13.6 days of annual leave (34 FTE inclusive of bank holidays) and workplace pension.

This post may be suitable for a job sharing arrangement.

Hours: Flexible working pattern, reflecting seasonal variations in demand, to be agreed with SCDA.

Location: Mostly working from home.  There may be a possibility to use working space at the SCDA Library in Stirling on defined days.  Willingness to travel, to deliver local workshops across Scotland, is essential.

Salary: In the region of £14k (£35k FTE) per annum, depending on experience. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

SCDA provides support and networking to amateur theatre enthusiasts in Scotland. We encourage the development of volunteer-led theatre arts in Scotland through:

  • Supporting and fostering creativity in performance and writing throughout Scotland
  • Supporting members and clubs in artistic, personal and social development
  • Developing links and partnerships throughout the theatrical world and the voluntary sector
  • Acting as an advocate for grassroots communities and amateur theatre
  • Organising and promoting popular and successful festivals across the country.
  • Running playwriting competitions and encouraging new playwriting
  • Providing access to thousands of plays available on loan through our National Library in Stirling.

Purpose of role 

The purpose of the role is to provide information, guidance and support to SCDA members.  The job holder will also support the broader aims of SCDA to develop and promote grassroots community drama across Scotland.  They will enjoy working with a range of people using a variety of communication tools and be comfortable being part of a team or taking the lead where required.  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities 

In support of the above SCDA activities, our NDA will:

  • Design, deliver, promote and manage the workshop programme.  This will include generic, bespoke local and national events.  They will be proactive in identifying skills or knowledge that will be useful for members.
  • Recruit and manage freelancers and the budget jointly with the SCDA Treasurer
  • Evaluate and report on the artistic programme both at an individual project level and at programme level through the SCDA annual report
  • Participate in the SCDA Media group to promote SCDA activities and external opportunities through social media, the SCDA website and regular communications such as a monthly e-newsletter and the SCDA published magazine called Scene
  • Respond to queries from SCDA members and proactively create resources where common themes arise.  These resources could be materials for the SCDA website or ad hoc events such as online forums on specific topics with invited expertise
  • Build networks with other arts organisations to not only promote SCDA but also to seek out mutually beneficial activities or opportunities
  • Be an advocate for SCDA and grassroots community drama in Scotland
  • Support SCDA to create and maintain policies such as safeguarding and child protection ensuring that all legislative requirements are met for SCDA run events

To find out more about SCDA please visit our website drama.scot

Skills and Experience Required: 

Skills, Attributes and Experience
Essential
Desirable
Experience of developing and delivering high quality workshops and programmes of work
Yes
Ability to carry out research in order to respond to queries and provide guidance to SCDA and their members
Yes
Ability to work alone as well as collaborate with the wider team of volunteers at SCDA
Yes
Ability to build and manage relationships and communicate effectively with SCDA members and Committees
Yes
A willingness to seek out and attend mandatory and relevant training as agreed with SCDA
Yes
Experience of using a range of media to promote activities
Yes
Experience of monitoring & evaluation
Yes

Ideally you will be educated to degree-level in a relevant subject, but we will consider candidates with suitable experience in community and education settings.