Associate Dean of Educational Development and Quality

The opportunity

Creativity is at the brink of great change and there is a galvanising call embedded at the heart of our University’s strategy. To remain at the heart of creative education in an era of polarisation and new intelligences, a total rethink is underway in our systems, skills and the sectors we partner with. 

Central Saint Martins (CSM) has an international reputation as a world-leading art school producing generations of extraordinary creative practitioners who have had significant impact in the creative industries shaping how we see the world. The College has a legacy of engaging with the global debate about the arts, performance and design, and their role in societal transformation. This is at the heart of what we do: we challenge what people think they know about the arts, performance, and design, and how it shapes and impacts us all. 

We are seeking a dynamic, versatile and experienced Associate Dean Educational Development and Quality for Central Saint Martins. At CSM, we are ‘regenerating creativity’ through our three core identities: as a cultural institution, an educational organisation and a rapidly evolving business. To build on the College’s core spirit of interdisciplinarity and thematic integrity as an art school, CSM has launched three Schools of Thought: C-School, S-School and M-School. There is a deliberate de-emphasizing of disciplinary categories such as art, design and performance. The current naming strategy emphasises the whole (C + S + M = CSM) and aims to allow space for working across schools and adapting to societal and planetary conditions as called for in our University’s ambitious strategy. 

As Associate Dean Educational Development and Quality, you will drive forward a curriculum that is bold, inclusive and internationally recognised. You will lead a dedicated team of Educational Developers to collaborate with staff and students, ensuring that creative practice and critical thinking remain at the heart of what we do. 

Working in partnership with College leadership, other Associate Deans, and the Learning and Teaching Directorate, you will embed best practice and ensure that quality frameworks translate into meaningful improvements to student experience and outcomes. Your expertise will help us meet ambitious performance goals and sustain our reputation for pioneering approaches to art and design education. This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic vision with collaborative leadership in a role that champions innovation, inclusivity and creative excellence.

About you

You will bring extensive experience of academic leadership and a strong understanding of teaching, learning and quality assurance in Higher Education. You will be a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy or have equivalent experience and have a proven track record of driving innovation in curriculum development and pedagogy as well as indicating an understanding of art and design practice. 

You will be an inspiring leader who can build effective teams, influence at a senior level and work in partnership across diverse staff and student communities. Your approach will reflect a commitment to collaboration, inclusion and the continuous enhancement of student learning and experience. 

What we offer

To recognise the hard work of our staff and their contributions, we provide a wide range of benefits – please check our careers site/Canvas for further information as conditions and exclusions apply:

▪ 39 days of annual leave and 2 days off to volunteer plus bank holidays
▪ Flexible and Dynamic working options available from the first day
▪ Discounted Medical Insurance including Digital GP service, therapies, in-patient and day-case treatment
▪ Free counselling and advice via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
▪ Sector-leading Equal Parental Leave policy (6 months full pay for both parents) 
▪ Teachers Pension scheme
▪ In-house training and development including apprenticeships and free places on creative courses
▪ Interest free loans on travel and tech, discounts on gym memberships, nursery fees, eye care and much more
▪ Various opportunities to attend student shows and exhibitions

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That's why we are proud to be members of the Race Equality Charter (REC) and Business Disability Forum, are a Disability Confident Scheme Committed and Living Wage employer and maintain our status as a Stonewall Diversity Champion.