Vice-Principal of West Dean College

West Dean College is a leading specialist institution dedicated to practice-based education in arts, crafts, conservation, and design. It forms part of West Dean, which, alongside West Dean Estate, is supported by the Edward James Foundation. Nestled in the stunning landscape of the South Downs National Park, and with a new site in Bloomsbury, London, the College provides an immersive and inspiring environment for students. The College offers a distinctive and highly respected model of education. It delivers a wide range of programmes, from undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to residential short courses and continuing professional development (CPD). Students engage in hands-on, workshop-based learning across fine art, craft practices—including bookbinding, ceramics, clock-making, furniture, metalwork, and musical instrument making—interior and garden design, conservation, and creative writing. The College’s small class sizes, expert tuition, and state-of-the-art studios ensure that students graduate with specialist skills, real-world experience, and strong industry connections.

With a new Chief Executive, the College is ambitious for growth and innovation across its unique combination of taught degree programmes and a dynamic portfolio of short courses. Research, knowledge exchange and greater collaboration with creative industries will be integral to the College’s mission. In May 2025, West Dean will introduce a new leadership structure, and in this new role as Vice Principal you will be instrumental in shaping and driving the College’s academic and strategic direction. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Principal you will be responsible for placing West Dean at the forefront of specialist education, delivering innovation in teaching, curriculum development and research whilst ensuring the College remains a pioneer in both higher education, short courses and CPD. Responsibilities will be wide-ranging. As Vice Principal, you will have significant autonomy to deliver the new academic strategy—spanning portfolio development, academic innovation, enhancement of the London and West Sussex campuses, student experience, and stewardship of the College’s unique and historically important collections and archive.

The successful candidate will be an academically accomplished leader, holding a PhD or equivalent, with a proven track record of delivering innovative and successful academic programmes in art, crafts, design, conservation, or the humanities. An inspirational, interdisciplinary academic leader, you will also bring significant experience in staff and resource management, change leadership, and the entrepreneurial flair to identify and develop new academic opportunities for the College. A commitment to diversity, inclusion and widening participation in education is essential, whilst balancing the needs of an organisation with a rich history of traditional academic practice and ambitions for innovation and change.