Dean of the School of Design, RCA

Founded in 1837, the Royal College of Art (RCA) is the world’s largest community of postgraduate art and design students. It is also the oldest art and design university in continuous operation and has been ranked as the world‘s number one art and design university for a remarkable ten consecutive years (QS World Rankings).

The RCA is seeking a new Dean to provide dynamic academic leadership, ensuring the RCA remains a premier destination for top-tier students globally. The Dean of the School of Design will be responsible for the academic leadership of the School, set within the framework of the RCA’s Strategic Plan at a moment of tremendous opportunity for the RCA and creative arts education and the creative industries. It is essential that the Dean can think dynamically and entrepreneurially about the future of Design education both within the School of Design and in its broader connections across the RCA and externally, and can align and motivate staff at all levels to achieve the College’s and the School’s strategic ambitions, including in the areas of scale, flexible learning, and earned income. The role of Dean is a full-time position and may be combined with other College duties, e.g. principal investigator on grant-funded projects.

The Royal College of Art aims to foster an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity  of all its staff and students and stakeholders are respected. We recognise the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings and how this strengthens our research and enhances our teaching. In order for the RCA to remain a world-leading institution we are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout all of our processes, from application through to appointment.

The Royal College of Art is being assisted in its global search for this appointment by the executive search firm Society.

For more information and to submit your application, please get in touch with Emily Payne via emily.payne@society-search.com or Sabina Messent at sabina.messent@society-search.com, or refer to the Candidate Pack.

The deadline for receipt of applications is midday (GMT) on Monday, 14 October 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in London on Thursday, 12 December 2024.

Further details: Information Pack  

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