Executive Academic Lead

Royal College of Art; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Art seeks an experienced and credible academic leader to serve as Executive Academic Lead for REF29. You will shape and lead RCA’s REF29 Strategy, aligning submissions with research quality, impact, and environment across art and design.

You will guide preparation through Schools and Centres and chair governance groups. You will provide strategic leadership, engage with Deans and Directors, and represent RCA in national REF networks, balancing rigorous assessment with

Qualifications

• Senior academic with a strong research profile and substantial leadership experience in higher education.
• Credible track record in research assessment, quality assurance or large-scale academic processes.
• Experience of previous REF cycles is highly valuable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the RCA REF29 strategy and implementation.
• Oversee curation of outputs, environment statements and impact case studies.
• Provide governance leadership through REF29 committees and groups.
• Represent RCA in external REF networks and related forums.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Consensus building

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

The Royal College of Art is seeking an experienced and highly credible academic leader to take on the role of Executive Academic Lead for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.

This is a significant strategic opportunity to shape and lead the RCA's approach to REF29, working closely with the PVC Research & Innovation, Executive Professional Services Lead, Deans, Directors and colleagues across the RCA.

The Executive Academic Lead will develop and lead the implementation of the RCA's REF29 Strategy, ensuring that our submission reflects the breadth, quality and distinctiveness of research across art and design, including the excellence of our research outputs, the impact of our research and the quality of the research environment that supports it.

You will provide academic leadership and oversight throughout the REF preparation process, including the curation and selection of research outputs, the development of environment statements and the selection of Impact Case Studies. You will work closely with Deans and Directors to support preparation within Schools and Centres, while ensuring a coherent and ambitious institutional approach to the submission.

The role will also provide strategic leadership through the RCA's REF29 governance arrangements, including chairing the REF29 Strategy Group and reporting to the Research & Innovation Committee. You will represent the RCA in relevant external networks and REF-related forums, maintaining a strong understanding of the evolving national research assessment landscape.

We are looking for a senior academic with a strong research profile and significant experience of academic leadership within higher education. You will have a credible track record of research excellence and substantial experience of research assessment, quality assurance or comparable large-scale academic processes. Experience of previous REF cycles would be highly valuable.

You will bring exceptional strategic thinking, analytical and communication skills, together with the ability to build consensus and influence colleagues across a complex institution. A detailed understanding of the UK research landscape, REF requirements and research excellence in art and design practice is essential.