Within the film industry, the Direction department is a subset of a larger occupational group referred to as ‘Production’.   Perhaps the best known role within the Direction department is that of Director, the person who is ultimately responsible for the creative vision and overall style of a feature film.  Within this department, the Director is also supported by a number of Assistant Directors, who ensure that the Director’s artistic ambitions are achieved during the filming process, by providing logistical, organisational and time-management support.

Other roles in the Direction department include the Script Supervisor (who oversees the continuity and edit-ability of each sequence as it is shot).  The most junior role is that of Runner, which encompasses a wide range of general support duties, and which is also conventionally accepted as the entry-level position within not only the Direction department, but within the film Production sector as a whole.

The UK film industry enjoys a very high profile internationally, and is considered a centre of excellence in terms of its production, technical and post-production departments.  However, its overall productivity (and therefore its demand for staff) fluctuates greatly depending on financing, and on the flow of projects.  It is therefore difficult to calculate exactly how many people are specifically employed in film Direction roles, or even in the Production sector as a whole at any one time, as many of the skills required are interchangeable with those required by the large television and theatre sectors.

Although a large number of HE/FE colleges offer Film Directing courses, as well as more general film production skills courses, the key requirement to succeed in this role is undoubtedly industry experience.  The vast majority of people working in this department begin their careers as Runners, or in junior assisting jobs, gradually progressing through the various Directing department roles.  Career paths in this department offer some flexibility, e.g., most First Assistant Directors do not necessarily become Directors – they tend to move into more senior organisational roles, such as Unit Production Manager, or Line Producer.

All roles within the Direction department of the film industry require a high degree of commitment and dedication.  The work usually involves long hours and varied work locations, so flexibility and motivation are important.  As the vast majority of jobs are on a freelance basis, practitioners must take responsibility for seeking work, and for identifying suitable training opportunities for themselves.   Other important qualities for these roles include excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills; a close attention to detail; and the ability to multi-task, to be a team player, and to work effectively under pressure.

Career Roles & Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary liaison between the university, its students and alumni, and potential employers on a state, regional, national, and international scale.
• Responsible for fiscal planning and management for career services, including all operations and staffing matters.
• Serves as adviser and interfaces with representatives of industrial, governmental, and educational employers to assist in the most effective use of career services' efforts. Also supports the marketing of other university college and departmental efforts.
• Develops new contacts with external organizations for the purpose of expanding employment opportunities for students and alumni.
• Reviews and supervises the on-campus recruitment and interviewing processes as well as resume referral and job-listing services for current students as well as alumni. Coordinates and supervises staff professional development activities and training, to include travel for professional development workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• Closely coordinates communication with deans, department chairs, and other faculty to ensure that the career services department is meeting the needs and desires of the academic colleges and departments, within the limitations imposed by the size of the staff and financial support provided by the university.
• Constantly monitors, analyzes, and evaluates current scope of services offered through career services and plans, implements, and directs new programs under the supervision of the dean of student development and services and in coordination with other directors of student services and student activities efforts. Serves in a leadership role in various professional organizations including, but not limited to, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and those regional affiliates which provide broad opportunities for job development activities.
• Provides career advising expertise to students and alumni regarding the job-search process, interviewing, resume, and letter writing, and all other facets of career planning. Conducts workshops, seminars, and other presentations to student, faculty, employer, and alumni groups.

Career Education Path Summary

Career services directors may take different directions in pursuing their positions, but knowing how to become a director is the first step on any career path. Entry-level higher education administrators may join career services departments in positions responsible for the day-to-day operation of recruitment and skill-building programs. People who build their experience and credentials at one institution may also apply for director positions at another school. This enables professionals to assume new responsibilities and gain experience in a new environment.

The two primary measures of readiness for a career services director position are education and job experience. Due to the increasing prevalence of online doctoral programs, potential candidates can build both types of expertise simultaneously, studying part-time while working in higher education administration on a full-time schedule.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for director of career services jobs will vary based on the size and nature of the particular school. Some smaller institutions that offer relatively lower compensation for directors of career services may be willing to hire candidates with an undergraduate diploma. PayScale lists a bachelor’s degree as the accepted industry minimum for career services leadership. However, seeking out such a high-level role at a larger college or university will most likely call for a master’s degree, as NACE indicates. On top of these baseline qualifications, prospective career services leaders can bolster their credentials by earning a doctorate.

Expertise and Experience

In today’s competitive hiring environment, it’s important for candidates seeking top roles in higher education administration to have resumes representing the depth of their commitment to the field and its best practices. Factors such as learner preferences, the role of technology, and relationships between universities and government are always changing.

Applicants who have recently earned an advanced degree in education will be familiar with the latest concepts and will be more effective and influential in positions such as director of career services. Online programs allow professionals already working at colleges or universities to add to their credentials and can help them stand out as applicants for a director role.