Dean of Education and Director of Creative Strategy, ARTS Educational SCHOOL

Dean of Higher Education and Director of Creative Strategy, THE ARTS EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL

The Dean of Higher Education and Director of Creative Strategy provides academic and strategic leadership for the higher education provision at Arts Ed, ensuring an exceptional student experience that is artistically rigorous, industry‑connected, and inclusive. The role is accountable for the School of Acting and the School of Musical Theatre, the Production Team, and the Registry, overseeing student support and safeguarding the overall student experience.

Working closely with the Principal and the Executive Leadership Team, the post‑holder will lead a long‑term strategic vision, champion creative excellence, promote equitable opportunities for staff and students, and engage external partners to enhance the institution’s reputation and revenue.

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to strategic direction and governance.
• Deputise for the Principal in all matters relating to Higher Education.
• Provide educational and artistic insight and market intelligence to inform institutional priorities.
• Lead the creation and delivery of a comprehensive 3–5 year higher education strategy aligned with the mission and long‑term objectives.
• Provide academic leadership, chair boards and committees, and oversee operational plans for each department.
• Define, implement, and monitor KPIs to track student performance, budgetary effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and creative activity outcomes.
• Act as a visible ambassador, representing the institution with stakeholders such as prospective students, alumni, donors, and partners.
• Lead and manage higher education teams to ensure excellence in process and output.

• Champion a practice‑based, vocational approach that integrates performance, reflection, and industry relevance.
• Lead course design, validation and review to maintain training excellence and student experience.
• Oversee quality assurance, assessment and academic governance processes.
• Support academic teams to achieve excellence in teaching, creative practice and student support.
• Ensure an inclusive, student‑centred learning environment conducive to creative experimentation.
• Promote staff development in pedagogy, professional practice and mentorship.
• Embed employability and creative enterprise throughout the curriculum.
• Lead initiatives that enhance student engagement, retention, satisfaction and progression.

• Lead and model an institutional commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Ensure teaching, recruitment and assessment practices reflect diverse voices, perspectives and cultural identities.
• Champion inclusive casting, representation and curriculum design.
• Support the recruitment, retention and progression of diverse staff and student communities.
• Collaborate with colleagues, students and external partners to address barriers to participation and belonging.

• Develop and deliver a creative strategy positioning Arts Ed as a leader in professional performing arts education.
• Build and sustain meaningful partnerships with professional companies, creative organisations and cultural bodies.
• Ensure courses remain connected to current and emerging industry practices, technologies and artistic trends.
• Lead initiatives that promote collaboration between students, staff and industry professionals.
• Represent Arts Ed externally, contributing to its national and international profile.
• Ensure productions in the ALWF Theatre are professionally planned and executed.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement in educational and operational practice.
• Deputise for the Principal, ensuring compliance with higher education regulatory frameworks (OfS, QAA, validating universities, awarding bodies).
• Oversee academic policies, procedures and external reporting (including HESA, NSS and graduate outcomes).
• Manage validation, revalidation, and audit processes to maintain academic integrity and institutional reputation.

Seniority Level: Executive |

Employment Type:

Full‑time | Job Function:
Education and Training |

Location:

London, England, United Kingdom