Senior Cabinetmaking Tutor

Job Description:

Senior Cabinetmaking Tutor

Position Overview

The Senior Cabinetmaking Tutor will provide tuition for current courses, new 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 reimagine our spaces, and supporting maximum productivity and inspiration for our students.

This newly created position provides an opportunity to join Rowden at an exciting time. The role may adapt to fit the right candidate. Still, we are looking for a passionate craftsperson who can demonstrate their commitment to the Rowden cause and will be instrumental in continuing our contribution to fine furniture craftsmanship worldwide.

You will possess excellent practical skills gained through years of professional craftsmanship and, critically, can 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 woodworking beginners and demonstrate your calibre as a designer/maker. You must be comfortable articulating new and advanced processes and woodworking related skills to large groups of people.

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

Key Responsibilities

EDUCATION

• Instruction of practical skills related to furniture making, ensuring students meet and understand the fine tolerances associated with Rowden.

• Ensure best practice is followed by every Rowden student across the workshop and, where necessary, be able 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 quality.

• Be comfortable communicating with larger audiences, delivering answers to informal questions and providing insights into the world of professional woodworking.

Support

• Assist students in setting challenging targets, maximising their work, skills and time at Rowden.

• 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 the student body understands, observes and adheres to health and safety best practices.

• Maintain a professional relationship with all students, regardless of age, gender, background, ability or any other personal circumstance.

Workshop

• Help us identify where we can improve the facilities and resources at Rowden to enhance our students’ productivity.

• Apply your skills as a maker and take responsibility for various updates to our workspaces.

• Report promptly any issues around the workshops, including problems in and around the building and infrastructure, as well as any issues arising with students either in relationship or concerning their work.

• Ensuring, promoting and safeguarding the safety of the workshop and students at all times.

Person specification

• Extensive knowledge of furniture making and design.

• Recent, practical experience of applying that knowledge commercially.

• A consummate craftsperson with expertise in a wide range of furniture making techniques.

• Outstanding and clear communication skills, comfortable in 1:1 communication, and able to work with large groups, interrogating advanced skills and knowledge.

• Patient and supportive, able to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds.

• Able to motivate others to push themselves.

• Friendly and relaxed individual, but also professional and productive.

• Able to be discrete 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, not problems focused with a ‘can do’ attitude.

Benefits

• Competitive negotiable salary.

• Generous annual leave.

• Discretionary performance-related annual bonus.

• Access to ongoing professional development opportunities.

• A collaborative and supportive work environment.

• Contributory pension scheme.

• Opportunity to work in a renowned institution, contributing to, and shaping, the future of furniture craftsmen and women.

If you are a passionate and skilled cabinetmaker who desires to contribute to aspiring artisans’ education, we encourage you to apply to join our esteemed furniture making school and make a lasting impact on the world of fine woodworking.