Dean of VCAD - London Borough

Victoria College of Arts and Design; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious arts education institution is seeking a Dean for its London Borough campus. This role includes leading academic operations, ensuring high-quality educational practices, and managing resources effectively. The ideal candidate will possess a Master’s degree and have significant experience in the higher education sector, demonstrated leadership capabilities, and an understanding of regulatory requirements. This is a full-time, on-site position, offering a competitive salary and benefits including career development opportunities.

Benefits

Annual leave (7.2 weeks)

Workplace pension scheme

Career development opportunities

Gym membership discounts

Cycle to work

Financial wellbeing advice

Qualifications

• Significant experience in higher education.
• Understanding of Widening Participation in education.
• Knowledge of Partnership/Franchise model.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational and academic delivery at VCAD London Borough.
• Ensure high-quality pedagogical practices.
• Manage financial and physical resources.

Skills

Teaching and managing programmes

Leading teams

Understanding of regulatory requirements

Clear communication of complex ideas

Utilising online programmes

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

Moodle

Student Information Systems (SIS)

Microsoft Office / 365

Job description

Job Title – Dean of VCAD- London Borough

Reports to – Directors of VCAD (Academic & Operations)

Location – On-site, London

Salary Range – £60,000 - £70,000 per annum

Hours : Full Time (On-site) – Monday to Friday (weekends when reasonably required)

Position Overview

The Dean of Victoria College of Arts and Design-London Borough will lead and manage the operational and academic delivery of higher education provision at the VCAD London Borough campus.

Currently, VCAD works in partnership with Arts University Plymouth and Ravensbourne University to provide undergraduate programmes in Fashion Media & Marketing, Graphic Design, Business Management, Digital Marketing, Fashion Design and Business and Management for Creatives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

The Dean of VCAD London Borough will be responsible for leading, developing, and promoting a culture of collaboration and collegiality across London Borough.

The Dean will support the professional growth and personal confidence of both teaching and administrative staff. Additionally, the Dean will ensure that the student voice is empowered and engaged and that VCAD London Borough is compliant with the relevant regulations, processes and policies of VCAD’s partners, stakeholders and the Office for Students' conditions.

Academic Leadership

The Dean of VCAD- London Borough will ensure that the pedagogical practice of the Campus is of a high quality and in line with the expectations of the Director of VCAD (Academic) and VCAD's partner institutions, AUP and Ravensbourne University

By ensuring that the teaching and learning practice at VCAD- London Borough is continuously enhanced and improved, the Dean will play a crucial role in the growth and success of VCAD- London Borough.

The Dean will be expected to deliver a reasonable and negotiated amount of teaching, marking and moderation within the faculty as part of their responsibilities. The specifics of these duties will be negotiated in good faith with the Director of VCAD (Academic).

Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance

The Dean will ensure that the design, timetabling, management and delivery of VCAD- London Borough teaching and learning practice aligns and complies with all relevant higher education quality assurance standards, regulations and policies, both internal and external.

Team Development

The Dean will work collegiately with the Directors of VCAD, the VCAD Senior Management Team and VCAD Heads of Department to ensure that the VCAD- London Borough academic, professional and administrative staff are supported, facilitated and encouraged to advance their own professional skills and to deliver an efficient and high‑quality service to VCAD- London Borough students.

The Dean will work collaboratively with the Directors of VCAD to foster an active, ambitious, and inclusive approach to staff recruitment and retention, ensuring alignment with VCAD's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policies. This commitment underscores VCAD’s dedication to creating a staff team that reflects a variety of perspectives and experiences, thereby enriching our professional community and its practice.

Student Experience

The Dean will develop, support and manage a pedagogical practice that delivers high‑quality student experience, fosters student engagement, enhances student well‑being, and provides students with a range of successes across their personal, professional and academic outcomes.

The Dean of VCAD- London Borough will focus on the key task of ensuring that the faculty’s student retention, progression and continuation outcomes meet, or exceed, VCAD's regulatory and partnership requirements.

The Dean will work closely with VCAD colleagues, particularly those in Student Support, to ensure the successful delivery of services, projects and initiatives which collectively enhance the experience, resilience and success of VCAD- London Borough students, and thereby help to build a positive and respected reputation for VCAD.

Resource and Operations Management

The Dean of VCAD- London Borough will have responsibility for managing and overseeing the physical, digital, human, and financial resources of the Campus. This responsibility will be carried out in collaboration with the Directors of VCAD and other members of the VCAD Senior Management Team.

Administrative Responsibilities

The Dean will lead on the management and delivery of administrative duties across the London Borough campus, including, but not limited to, timetable design and management, programme and partnership management, staff management, marking and moderation and other tasks essential to the efficient and appropriate operation of the Campus. The Dean will actively contribute to the design, delivery and analysis of activities such as open days, student recruitment and induction events, knowledge transfer projects, and other marketing and outreach efforts.

Qualifications & Essential Experience / Knowledge Required

• A Master’s degree (E)
• Significant experience of teaching and managing programmes and courses within the mainstream Higher Education sector (E)Experience of leading people and teams within the higher education sector (E)
• An understanding of, and empathy with, the concept of Widening Participation within higher education (E)
• A thorough understanding of the regulatory requirements, expectations and functions of the Office for Students conditions, QAA Benchmarks and the FHEQ. (E)
• An enthusiasm for, and understanding of, the distinct contribution made by reputable private sector institutions to higher education in England and Wales (E)
• An understanding of the Partnership / Franchise model in English Higher Education
• Confidence and ability to communicate complex information and ideas clearly, coherently and persuasively (E)
• Ability to utilise a range of online programmes, in particular, Moodle and similar VLE platforms, Student Information Systems (SIS) and Microsoft Office / 365 (E)
• Right To Work in the UK (E)

Benefits

• Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Company Sick Policy.
• Statutory maternity / paternity pays.
• Career development opportunities
• Training and self‑development opportunities.
• Gym membership discounts
• Retail discount schemes
• Cinema discounts
• Grocery discounts
• Cycle to work
• Investing and savings opportunities
• Financial wellbeing – personal debt advise.
• Financial wellbeing education
• My Mind Pal (mental fitness)