Mission Accomplished

Thriving Mid-Career: Leadership, Finance & Freelance Sustainability
2026-01-31 - 2026-04-30 | Belfast TBC, Belfast, Ireland
Application deadline 23:59 on 4th January 2026 0000Days00Hrs00Min00Sec
Are you a Northern Ireland–based screen professional with 3–9 years’ experience?

Are you ready to strengthen your leadership skills, build financial confidence, and take control of your freelance career?
Thriving Mid-Career is a free, blended training programme from Mission Accomplished designed to help screen professionals at a pivotal stage in their career develop the tools, confidence, and strategies they need to build a sustainable future in the industry.
Delivered by Mission Accomplished CEO Alison Grade, alongside a host of guest speakers from across the UK and Northern Ireland, this practical programme focuses on leadership, finance, and career sustainability – the essential skills that underpin a thriving freelance life in screen.
Who it’s for? We’re looking for Northern Ireland–based professionals working in craft, technical, editorial, or production roles across any genre — including Film, HETV, continuing drama, unscripted, animation, and post-production — with 3–9 years’ industry experience.
You might be:

Feeling ready to step up into more senior or leadership roles
Wanting to gain confidence in managing relationships, money, and your career direction
Looking to be more strategic about your career in Northern Ireland rather than hopping from job to job

Mission Accomplished particularly welcomes applications from traditionally excluded or under-represented groups, especially those who identify as:
Black and/or Global Majority(d)Deaf, Disabled and/or NeurodivergentLGBTQIA+Working-class or low-income background (past or present)Care-experiencedRefugee or disadvantaged migrant backgroundFrom Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller communitiesIndustry returners or those with caring responsibilitiesWe welcome applications from all individuals. If you would like support completing the application form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email training@mission.guru
THE COURSE WILL COVER
THE COURSE WILL COVER:

Session
Details

Session 1 – in person
Saturday 31st January 2026
(0930 – 1630)
Understanding workplace behaviours
Honesty and accountability exercise
Creative and practical problem solving exercise
Freelancer Finances

Masterclass 1 – online (1830 – 2030)
Monday 2nd February 2026
Managing up
Guest speaker – Alex Oliver, Coach and Trainer

Masterclass 2 – online (1830 – 2030)
Monday 9th February 2026
Introduction to business affairs
Guest speaker – TBC, Producer

Masterclass 3 – online (1830 – 2030)
Monday 16th February 2026
Using AI effectively
Guest speaker – TBC

Session 2 – in person
Saturday 21st February 2026
(0930 – 1630)
Performance management, performance development and feedback
Pro-active problem solving

Dealing with conflict
Tech & AI Disruption
Crew Welfare & Leadership

Strategic career development – Being CEO of my freelance career

Masterclass 4 – online (1830 – 2030)
Monday 23rd February 2026
Next steps: ScreenSkills Make a Move, Regional picture in Northern Ireland. What does the future hold for the industry globally, nationally, and locally?
Guest speakers – NI Screen and ScreenSkills

E-learning and self-study between sessions via the Mission Accomplished Learning Portal.
KEY DATES
KEY DATES

Sunday 4th January 2026 – Applications close (23:59)
12th – 16th January 2026 – Online interviews
Saturday 31st January (0930 – 1630) – In-Person Session 1 (Belfast)
Monday 2nd February 2026 (1830 – 2030) – Masterclass 1: Managing Up & Leading Teams
Monday 9th February 2026 (1830 – 2030) – Masterclass 2: Legal, Business & Affairs Essentials
Monday 16th February 2026 (1830 – 2030) – Masterclass 3: Using AI effectively
Saturday 21st February 2026 (0930 – 1630) – In-Person Session 2 (Belfast)
Monday 23rd February 2026 (1830 – 2030) – Masterclass 4: Next steps in Northern Ireland

Interviews (online)

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to online interviews between 12–16 January 2026.
Successful participants will be notified by 20 January 2026.

COURSE DIRECTOR AND LEAD TUTOR
Alison Grade | Course Director
Alison founded and runs Mission Accomplished. The company regularly delivers training courses for ScreenSkills. Alison is an experienced Line Producer and Production Manager as well as a Nesta Accredited Creative Enterprise Trainer. She regularly delivers training that enables creatives to take their careers to the next level. Alison is the author of Penguin published book, The Freelance Bible and offers many workshops and training programmes to support freelancers.
Guest Speakers
Featuring national and Northern Ireland-based industry experts including:

Alex Oliver – Coach and Trainer (Managing Up)
TBC – Producer (Business Affairs)
NI Screen & ScreenSkills – Regional and national insights
Plus, special guest TBC on using AI in creative workflows

IS THERE A COST ?There is no cost to participate.
This programme is fully funded by our partners to make it accessible to freelancers across Northern Ireland. HOW TO APPLY ?

Applications are open now and close at 23:59 on Sunday 4th January 2026.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to online interviews between 12–16th January 2026.
Successful participants will be notified by 20th January 2026.

Delivery team Our Funders This course is funded by Northern Ireland Screen, supported by the BFI and the National Lottery.
Training (87)
ScreenSkills (75)
HETV (61)
Film (44)
Unscripted (32)
Children's (14)
Experienced (13)
Freelancing (13)
Early Experienced (10)
Scripted (8)
Career stage Early (5)
For Approval (5)
Age +18 (4)
