Executive Dean

London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution is seeking an Executive Dean to provide visionary leadership across its academic portfolio. This pivotal role involves driving academic excellence, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks, and fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background and a proven track record in strategic planning and leadership. Join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing student experiences and outcomes, while collaborating with university partners and industry stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of education in a forward-thinking environment.

Benefits

20 days annual leave

Pension contribution

Season Ticket Loan

Vision Express Eye Care Vouchers

Training & Development opportunities

Staff Discount Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Refer a friend scheme

Social events on campus

Qualifications

• Proven experience in academic leadership and strategic planning.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Lead the academic vision and operational planning across Schools.
• Drive a performance-led culture ensuring continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Academic Quality Assurance

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Education

PhD in Education or related field

Master's Degree

Job description

Join to apply for the Executive Dean role at London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA)

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Join to apply for the Executive Dean role at London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA)

LCCA is a contemporary institution, offering a range of programmes. Our students embark on a journey which is designed to meet their academic and personal demands. At the very heart of our vision is a student-centred learning and teaching methodology which is progressive, forward-thinking, modern, and designed to meet our learners’ needs.

Our academic team consists of modern, progressive, professionals who have what it takes to motivate students from a variety of backgrounds, to inspire belief in students who are striving for professional and personal recognition and to drive students towards successful lives.

You will have a distinct skill set; a ‘can-do’ attitude - and should demonstrate the consistent ability to put the core elements of our learning and teaching philosophy into practice, both in the strategic implementation of experiential teaching activities and in the management of high-class teaching delivery.

The underpinning philosophy of LCCA is as follows:

• Through experiential teaching we aim to provide students with a ‘real-life’ skill set which is transferable out of the classroom and into the world of work.
• Through ‘chunked learning’ we aim to ensure students are thoroughly engaged and motivated by their teachers.
• Through ‘deliberate reflection’ we aim to get students thinking about their role in the learning experience and to embed their knowledge for future use.
• Through regular and precise feedback, we aim to offer students ways to improve their skills and knowledge on a daily basis.

Purpose:

As a key member of the Senior Academic Leadership Team, the Executive Dean provides visionary and operational leadership across the academic portfolio of the institution. The postholder is responsible for driving institutional academic excellence, supporting external engagement with university partners, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks (including OFS Condition B3), and delivering on institution-wide academic and regulatory objectives. The Executive Dean champions a culture of academic integrity, innovation, and inclusivity to ensure the College delivers exceptional outcomes for students and stakeholders.

In conjunction with the college principal, the role has accountability for leading the academic Schools, shaping and delivering the academic strategy, and ensuring a high-quality and contemporary educational offer aligned with university partners and aligned with the creative and professional industries.

Requirements :

• In conjunction with the college principal, lead the academic vision, strategy, and operational planning across Schools, aligning with the institutional business plan, academic ambitions, and partner university frameworks.
• Line manage and mentor Deans of Programmes, setting clear expectations, offering constructive support, and leading performance reviews and succession planning.
• Drive a performance-led culture through effective leadership of Deans, ensuring continuous improvement in teaching, learning, student experience, and graduate outcomes.
• Act as a senior advisor to the Principal and senior leadership team on academic delivery, regulatory compliance, and academic quality assurance.
• Lead on the design and implementation of cross-college academic initiatives, embedding innovation and student-centred learning practices across all Schools.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with university partners, awarding bodies, regulators, and industry stakeholders to strengthen collaborative delivery and strategic alignment.
• Represent the academic portfolio at institutional boards and partnership governance forums, ensuring transparency and alignment with external quality standards.
• Serve as an ambassador for the College’s academic excellence at national level, including participation in conferences, regulatory engagements, and public events.
• Lead institutional compliance with Office for Students (OfS) Condition B3, ensuring high rates of student continuation, completion, and progression to positive outcomes for all Schools.
• Monitor academic performance indicators and direct the implementation of interventions to address areas of underperformance, ensuring delivery of key institutional KPIs.
• Provide strategic oversight of quality assurance processes, programme review, validation, and enhancement to meet the requirements of university partners and external bodies such as QAA.
• Work with the academic deans of the schools to direct and oversee School Delivery Plans, ensuring that academic activity is effectively resourced, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of a diverse student population.
• Champion interdisciplinary collaboration across faculties and work with Deans to curate practice-based, industry-relevant, and future-focused curricula.

What we offer our colleagues:

• 20 days annual leave
• Pension 5% personal contribution & 3% Company contribution
• Season Ticket Loan (T&C's apply)
• Vision Express Eye Care Vouchers
• Training & Development opportunities (T&C's apply)
• Staff Discount Scheme – via My Rewards Hub, from various retailers – Fashion, Grocery, Health & Beauty, Travel, Automotive, Furniture, Dining, Sports and Leisure, Electronics etc
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Refer a friend scheme for staff members (T&Cs apply).
• Social events on campus and through GUS Social Committee "GOSH - GUS on Staff Happiness".

Please note: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Only applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

It’s quick and easy to apply for a role at the LCCA. Just click on the apply button above. All you’ll need is an up-to-date CV outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the role’s criteria. We do not offer visa sponsorship.

We acknowledge receipt of your resume for a position at LCCA and sincerely appreciate your interest in our company.

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications meet our requirements. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue for the next stage of the recruitment process. We wish you every success.

LCCA is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Education and Art/Creative

• Industries

  Education Administration Programs, Higher Education, and Education

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