Interim Head of Programme for Contemporary Art Practice

1. Academic Leadership:
o Provide hands-on leadership for the Contemporary Art Practice Programme, ensuring academic quality, direction, and the alignment of the programme with the RCA's strategic plan.
o Develop and refresh the programme's academic philosophy and vision, adapting to advances and challenges in the field.
2. Programme Management:
o Oversee the management of all resources, including staffing, financial management, curriculum development, and quality assurance.
o Ensure the programme is informed by current practices in higher education, art, and the wider socio-political and technological environment.
3. Research & Development:
o Engage in research aligned with the College and School's strategy, contributing to the REF2029 and subsequent research assessment exercises.
o Act as a Principal Investigator, leading major research grants or developing the capacity to do so.
o Supervise and foster the growth of PhD candidates and serve as a qualified supervisor for research degrees.
4. Cross-College Collaboration:
o Work closely with the Dean, senior colleagues, and other Schools within the RCA to design and coordinate cross-School and cross-College academic initiatives.
o Promote the programme nationally and internationally, and facilitate collaboration and links with other Schools within the College.
5. Resource Diversification:
o Diversify and increase programme revenues through research grants, knowledge exchange with industry, executive education, and philanthropy.
o Collaborate with the Development and Alumni Relations Office and the Research and Knowledge Exchange team to secure external funding and design executive education and short courses.
6. Recruitment & Teaching:
o Ensure high-quality recruitment aligned with annual College targets.
o Direct the MA Contemporary Art Practice Programme, contribute to MRes/MPhil/PhD research degrees, and deliver teaching, learning support, and research supervision.
7. College Leadership:
o Participate in College-level planning, management, and communication through involvement in RCA committees.
o Represent the interests of the Contemporary Art Practice Programme within the School and the wider College community.

+ Academic Credentials: Substantial experience in higher education, particularly in programme leadership within the arts and humanities.
+ Research Excellence: A proven track record as a Principal Investigator with successful major research grants or the potential to achieve this, alongside experience in PhD supervision.
+ Strategic Vision: Ability to align the programme with institutional strategies while adapting to changes in education, art practice, and socio-political contexts.
+ Leadership: Strong leadership skills with experience in managing staff, resources, and academic programmes.
+ Collaboration & Communication: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines, engage with external stakeholders, and represent the programme nationally and internationally.
+ Innovation & Development: Commitment to diversifying revenue streams and securing funding for programme development and research initiatives.

The Interim Head of Programme for Contemporary Art Practice is a senior leadership position within the School of Arts & Humanities at the Royal College of Art (RCA). This role is integral to the College's vision of creating a School of Arts & Humanities with outstanding international reach and reputation, fostering new interdisciplinary opportunities, and advancing academic and professional debates across disciplines. The Interim Head of Programme will lead the Contemporary Art Practice Programme, ensuring it aligns with the RCA's mission and strategic goals while adapting to new academic, technological, and socio-political developments., RCA Benefits available here: https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/work-at-the-rca/staff-benefits/
The Royal College of Art (RCA) 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 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.
Please tell us if you need any assistance in applying or if you need the information in a different format. In your message to resourcing@rca.ac.uk include

per annum
Fixed Term
Please note: this opportunity is only available to current staff of the RCA, + Tenure: Interim, with responsibilities starting immediately upon appointment.
+ Commitment: The role requires full engagement in leading and developing the Contemporary Art Practice Programme in alignment with the RCA's strategic objectives.
If you are passionate about driving academic excellence, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and leading a prestigious programme within a world-renowned institution, we encourage you to apply for the Interim Head of Programme, Contemporary Art Practice at the Royal College of Art.

Further details: Information Pack