Cabinetmaking Tutor

We’re looking for an experienced cabinetmaker to join our small team at Rowden Atelier. If you have a deep understanding of your craft, an enthusiasm for sharing it, and the patience and generosity to help others become exceptional, we encourage you to get in touch below.

Job Description

The Cabinetmaking Tutor will provide tuition in our courses and will further enhance what we offer full-time students at Rowden Atelier. You will also likely be responsible for updating our workshop facilities, helping us remodel spaces, and supporting maximum productivity and inspiration for our students.

This position provides an opportunity to join Rowden at an exciting time. The role may adapt to fit the right candidate, but we are looking for a passionate craftsperson who can demonstrate commitment to the Rowden cause and help continue our contribution to fine furniture craftsmanship worldwide.

You will possess excellent practical skills gained through years of professional craftsmanship and, critically, will be able to guide others in building their own skills as burgeoning precision woodworkers. Prior tuition experience would be a real advantage, but more critical is the capacity to communicate effectively with complete beginners in woodworking. You will need to be comfortable articulating and
demonstrating new and advanced processes and woodworking-related skills, but also show patience and be able to adapt with our students.

The role naturally requires someone capable, adaptable, patient, an effective communicator and someone who wants to inspire others in professional woodworking.

Specific Responsibilities

EDUCATION

• Instruction of practical skills related to furniture making, ensuring students meet and understand the fine tolerances associated with Rowden. In particular, emphasis on skilled and precise use of hand tools.
• Ensure best practice is followed by every Rowden student across the workshop and, where necessary, be willing to take a hard line with students to ensure the high standards at Rowden are met.
• Assisting students in pushing themselves, realising their potential and ensuring they work to the best possible standards.
• Be instrumental in Rowden continuing to set itself apart as an internationally renowned cabinetmaking school of the highest calibre.
• Be comfortable communicating with small groups, delivering answers to informal questions and providing insights into the world of professional woodworking.

SUPPORT

• Inspire students to meet targets, maximising their work, skills and time at Rowden.
• Ensure Rowden is represented in a professional manner and that students fully understand the logistics and practicalities of navigating the site and workshops.
• Adapt as required to the changing daily schedule of tuition.
• Prepare relevant teaching documentation or handouts associated with the tutorials or course curriculum.
• Supervise students in the workshop and other working spaces to ensure health and safety best practices are understood, observed and adhered to by the student body.
• Maintain a professional relationship with all students, regardless of age, gender, background, ability or any other personal circumstance.

Workshop

• Help us identify ways to improve the facilities and resources at Rowden to further enhance student productivity.
• Apply your skills as a maker and take responsibility for a range of updates to our workspaces.
• Ensure stocks of workshop consumables are maintained and appropriate records are kept of their use.
• Report in a timely manner any issues around the workshops, including problems in and around the building and infrastructure, as well as stay ahead of any challenges arising for students.
• Ensuring, promoting and safeguarding the safety of the workshop and students at all times.

Person Specification

• Demonstrable experience in precision furniture making and design.
• Recent, practical experience of applying that knowledge commercially.
• Outstanding, clear communication skills; comfortable in 1:1 communication, but also able to work with small groups.
• Patient, calm and supportive, able to communicate with individuals from a range of backgrounds and lead by example.
• Able to motivate others to push themselves.
• Friendly and relaxed individual, but also professional and productive.
• Able to be discreet and sensitive to individual circumstances.
• Experience working with minimal supervision, yet ensuring the work at hand is completed at the highest possible standard.
• Experience working flexibly in a small team, building strong relationships.
• Solutions-focused, with a positive, practical and proactive attitude.

Other Information

As the Rowden team is dedicated but small, other tasks may occasionally fall under this remit; as such, this role may evolve to make the best use of the skills available.