Associate Dean of Educational Development and Quality

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.

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.