Lead a thriving and rapidly growing Business School at LCCA, driving student success, academic excellence and institutional growth.
London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA), part of Global University Systems, is seeking an exceptional Academic Dean to lead its thriving and rapidly expanding Business School.
Based in central London, LCCA offers a distinctive higher education experience that combines industry-focused learning with a strong commitment to widening participation and student success.
With more than 6,500 students and ambitious growth plans, this is an opportunity to shape the future of one of the UK’s most dynamic higher education providers.
We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded academic leader who can inspire teams, drive performance, champion inclusive education and deliver outstanding outcomes for a diverse student community.
Who we are
London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) is a specialist higher education institution based in central London, offering industry-focused degrees across the creative industries, business and hospitality. Part of Global University Systems, LCCA is committed to transforming lives through education and preparing students for successful professional careers.
With campuses at Aldgate and Tower Hill, LCCA provides a dynamic, student-centred learning environment where creativity, culture and business intersect. Its distinctive multidisciplinary community brings together students, academics and industry practitioners, encouraging collaboration across subject areas and engagement with real-world projects, live briefs and professional networks.
Degrees are awarded by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and the University of Law, and students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, specialist learning spaces and strong industry connections designed to support their academic, personal and professional development.
About the role
The Academic Dean for the Business School at London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) will provide strategic and operational leadership for a large, high-performing and rapidly growing academic school serving more than 6,500 students.
Reporting to the Executive Dean, the postholder will lead a substantial academic workforce, ensuring an outstanding student experience while driving performance, quality, growth and innovation.
Operating in a dynamic higher education environment focused on widening participation, the Dean will play a pivotal role in shaping the School’s future development, supporting both staff and students to achieve ambitious outcomes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the strategic direction and operational performance of the Business School.
- Driving excellence in student experience, engagement, retention, attainment and progression.
- Developing and embedding inclusive, applied pedagogy suited to diverse and mature student cohorts.
- Leading, motivating and managing a large academic workforce, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.
- Using data and evidence to inform decision-making and deliver key institutional targets.
- Ensuring compliance with academic quality, governance and regulatory requirements.
- Building effective partnerships internally and externally to enhance the School’s reputation, performance and growth
Who we are looking for
The successful candidate will be an experienced academic leader who has operated within a similarly ambitious, fast-paced higher education environment.
Commercially aware and highly resilient, they will bring a proven ability to lead at scale, manage complex teams and drive continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making.
Equally important will be a commitment to widening participation and a passion for delivering outstanding outcomes for diverse student communities.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Significant senior academic leadership experience within a higher education institution.
- A strong track record of improving student outcomes, academic quality and organisational performance.
- Experience leading large and diverse teams through growth and change.
- Expertise in data-driven planning, KPI management and performance improvement.
- A deep understanding of widening participation and inclusive pedagogical approaches.
- Strong knowledge of UK higher education quality and regulatory frameworks.
- Relevant academic and professional credibility within the discipline.
Peridot Partners and London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Dr Sophie Carney | sophie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 528307
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) — Academic Dean – Business School” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Dr Sophie Carney | sophie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 528307
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
This is a rolling application recruitment process. We will move to interviews as soon as we receive enough suitable interest and will contact you as soon as possible regarding the next steps. We want to provide everyone with the opportunity to apply. If you are concerned that this role may close before you can apply, please contact our advising consultant to discuss your options.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
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