Executive Dean and Deputy Director

The Courtauld Institute of Art, a self-governing college of the University of London, is the UK’s leading scholarly centre for History of Art and Conservation, and home to one of the finest art museums in the world. Established in 1932, it has a global reputation and an exceptionally distinguished community of alumni.

The Courtauld is seeking to appoint a senior academic to the post of Executive Dean and Deputy Director, beginning in August 2025. This professorial appointment offers an exciting opportunity to build on The Courtauld’s successes and to shape its future direction during a transformative period of change and growth. The Courtauld is currently developing a new campus on the Strand, expanding its portfolio of academic programmes, and building new partnerships both in the UK and internationally.

As the leading academic role in the institution and a member of the senior management team, the Executive Dean and Deputy Director will play a key part in defining The Courtauld’s strategic direction, and will represent and advocate for The Courtauld in the wider community. You will bring an understanding of leadership in the UK higher education sector, including academic management, administration and budget management, and the implementation of organisational change. You will be an internationally recognised authority in art history, conservation, or a closely allied discipline in an area complementary to the existing strengths of The Courtauld. A strong profile of engagement with both teaching and research in Higher Education and a robust track record of publication is also important. 

You will be a strategic thinker, an influential and persuasive communicator, and a natural diplomat who is able to bring together a wide variety of individuals and audiences within the Courtauld community. You will be taking on this role during a period not only of structural change, as we physically enhance and develop our premises at Vernon Square and Somerset House, but also of cultural change, as we evolve to meet the expectations of our students, stakeholders, regulator and the Higher Education sector generally. 

Working closely with the Marit Rausing Director, you will play a pivotal role in the strategic leadership of The Courtauld including: 

• participating in The Courtauld’s Senior Management Team, and shaping the direction of the organisation as a whole 
• overseeing the effective operation and development of the History of Art and Conservation departments 
• managing the Head of the Library, the Head of Public Engagement, and the Academic Registrar  
• fostering productive scholarly relationships across The Courtauld, including with the Courtauld Gallery 
• developing partnerships with other scholarly and arts institutions, including King’s College London, with which The Courtauld has established a thriving strategic partnership 
• deputising for the Märit Rausing Director as needed 
• supporting the director in coordinating strategy across the institute and gallery to promote the shared enterprise of The Courtauld

This is a permanent full-time appointment to our faculty at professorial level, with an initial 4-year fixed term as Executive Dean and Deputy Director and the possibility of renewal for a second fixed 4-year term. Agreed sabbaticals during or after the end of the period will be available. Any periods of leave, if taken during the appointment, shall be covered by an Acting Executive Dean, but the role of Deputy Director will continue. 

To apply, please follow the process outlined, which will require you to supply a c.v., a supporting statement of up to 1500 words, and the names of 3 referees. 

The supporting statement should set out how you meet the criteria of this position. Please explicitly address the criteria set out in the job description and person specification when preparing your statement. 

For further information, please see the Job Description and Person Specification.

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion with the current Executive Dean & Deputy Director please email peoplequeries@courtauld.ac.uk including your telephone number. 

Closing date for applications: Friday 8 November 2024 

Interviews to be held in the week beginning Monday 2 December 2024  

The Courtauld Institute of Art promotes equal opportunities.