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Circus instructor specialising in acrobatic disciplines

Le Plongeoir, Pôle national Cirque Le Mans (FRA)

Job opportunity

Le Plongeoir, National Circus Center in Le Mans, is recruiting a circus instructor specializing in acrobatic disciplines.

Labeled as a Pôle National Cirque (National Circus Center) in Le Mans (France), Le Plongeoir is dedicated to supporting contemporary circus creation, performance dissemination, teaching, and cultural outreach. These missions are carried out through a unique societal project that fosters encounters between artists and local residents, known as “circus in everyday life.” Le Plongeoir curates a seasonal program and organizes the annual festival Le Mans fait son Cirque each June.

As an FFEC (French Federation of Circus Schools) accredited center for amateur practice, Le Plongeoir provides weekly circus classes to over 550 students. It welcomes diverse audiences during the day (school groups and specialized audiences), runs off-site outreach activities, and delivers circus specialty education for high school students (from sophomore to senior year) in partnership with Le Mans Sud High School.

Le Mans ranks 6th among French cities with over 100,000 inhabitants in terms of quality of life. The city enjoys excellent road and rail connections. Le Plongeoir is located just four tram stops from the SNCF train station.

Job Responsibilities

As part of a team of seven instructors and under the supervision of the Head of the Education and Practice Division, you will be responsible for teaching circus arts—especially acrobatics—and participating in the various pedagogical activities of the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Design, lead, and assess sessions focusing on acrobatic disciplines for amateur participants, ensuring a technically progressive, safe, and motivating approach.

  • Teach specific sessions in acrobatic disciplines (including basic floor acrobatics, balances, partner acrobatics, and acro-dance).

  • Collaborate on the planning and instruction of circus courses in school curricula (middle school circus option, high school circus specialization), including project follow-up.

  • Implement targeted physical preparation (joint mobility, core strength, coordination, tonicity, injury prevention) to instill safety and autonomy fundamentals (warm-ups, spotting, body awareness, etc.).

  • Demonstrate stage fundamentals, guide students through creative processes, and encourage expression and imagination through acrobatics in line with the organization’s artistic and educational vision.

  • Actively participate in preparing and supervising group projects such as shows and student outings.

  • Contribute to daily operations and all events related to the Education and Practice Division (meetings, planning sessions, events, etc.).

  • Assist with equipment logistics and ensure safe use of gear in accordance with FFEC safety guidelines.

Additional Tasks (depending on experience)

  • Manage specific educational projects

  • Lead weekly classes or workshops with various audiences or skill levels

Profile & Skills

Technical Skills

  • Strong technical proficiency and experience in dynamic and floor acrobatics

  • Artistic sensitivity

  • Knowledge of different audience types, particularly adolescents

  • Passion for teaching and understanding of group facilitation techniques

  • Experience in amateur teaching with differentiated approaches based on age, body type, and individual progress

  • Interest in inclusive, sensitive, and non-competitive circus pedagogy

  • Strong writing skills and basic computer proficiency

Interpersonal Skills

  • Ability to work independently and in a team

  • Strong listening and adaptability skills

  • Energy, autonomy, organizational rigor, and good interpersonal skills

Qualifications

  • Possess a certificate or diploma in circus education (BIAC, TIAC, BPJEPS, or DE), a professional circus school diploma with teaching experience, a French Gymnastics Federation diploma, or a STAPS degree with acrobatic training.

  • Hold a valid driver’s license (Class B).

Employment Conditions

  • Fixed-term contract (CDD), with potential for transition to a permanent position (CDI)

  • Part-time (20% to 50% of a full-time schedule). Time breakdown (for reference): 55% direct instruction, 45% preparation, meetings, and participation in institutional life

  • Evening and occasional weekend work required (year-end shows, educational events)

  • Salary based on experience and qualifications

  • Covered under the National Collective Agreement for Artistic and Cultural Enterprises

  • Work location: Le Plongeoir (building: La Cité du Cirque), 6 boulevard Winston Churchill, 72100 Le Mans, with occasional travel

Application Process

  • Position starts: August 25, 2025
  • Please send your CV and cover letter by June 16, 2025. To the attention of Géraldine Boy, Head of the Education and Practice Division: administration@leplongeoir-cirque.fr. Subject line: Application – Acrobatic Circus Instructor Position.