This is a significant institution-wide role, providing strategic leadership and programme management for the RCA’s REF submission. Working closely with the PVC Research & Innovation, Executive Academic Lead and REF Strategy Group, you will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of the professional services activity required to ensure the RCA is fully prepared for REF.

You will bring together colleagues across Schools, Centres and professional services, establishing effective governance, systems, processes and ways of working to support a high-quality, evidence-based submission. You will provide expert advice on REF policy and guidance, lead complex projects, and use data and analysis to inform institutional decision-making.

A key focus of the role will be the effective management of the REF programme, including coordinating the REF Operations team, overseeing data and information, supporting output selection and impact case studies, contributing to institutional narratives, and ensuring the RCA is prepared to meet evolving REF requirements.

You will also lead horizon scanning of national research policy and REF developments, translating complex guidance into clear advice and practical action across the institution. The role will require you to build strong and trusted relationships with senior academic leaders and professional services colleagues, influence across organisational boundaries and represent the RCA in relevant external networks.

We are looking for someone with significant senior-level experience within higher education, a strong track record of managing complex, institution-wide programmes and excellent strategic, analytical and stakeholder management skills. You will have a detailed understanding of the REF and the UK higher education research environment, together with the confidence and credibility to advise and influence at senior level.

A relevant degree and professional project management qualification, such as PRINCE2, APM or equivalent, are essential. Experience of previous REF submissions or similar national research assessment exercises would be highly desirable.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in shaping and delivering one of the RCA’s most significant institutional programmes, working with senior leaders and colleagues across the College to ensure the strength and distinctiveness of RCA’s research is effectively represented.

Please see Information Pack for more details of this exciting role.  Please apply using the short application form, with an upload for your CV and a covering letter outlining your reasons for applying for the role, the skills and experience you bring.

Closing for applications at 11.59pm on 18th October 2026

Closing Date: 18 Oct 2026

Programme/Department: Senior Manager - Non academic

Salary: 35 hours per week, fixed term until 31.12.2028

This is a significant strategic opportunity to shape and lead the RCA’s approach to REF29, working closely with the PVC Research & Innovation, Executive Professional Services Lead, Deans, Directors and colleagues across the RCA.

The Executive Academic Lead will develop and lead the implementation of the RCA’s REF29 Strategy, ensuring that our submission reflects the breadth, quality and distinctiveness of research across art and design, including the excellence of our research outputs, the impact of our research and the quality of the research environment that supports it.

You will provide academic leadership and oversight throughout the REF preparation process, including the curation and selection of research outputs, the development of environment statements and the selection of Impact Case Studies. You will work closely with Deans and Directors to support preparation within Schools and Centres, while ensuring a coherent and ambitious institutional approach to the submission.

The role will also provide strategic leadership through the RCA’s REF29 governance arrangements, including chairing the REF29 Strategy Group and reporting to the Research & Innovation Committee. You will represent the RCA in relevant external networks and REF-related forums, maintaining a strong understanding of the evolving national research assessment landscape.

We are looking for a senior academic with a strong research profile and significant experience of academic leadership within higher education. You will have a credible track record of research excellence and substantial experience of research assessment, quality assurance or comparable large-scale academic processes. Experience of previous REF cycles would be highly valuable.

You will bring exceptional strategic thinking, analytical and communication skills, together with the ability to build consensus and influence colleagues across a complex institution. A detailed understanding of the UK research landscape, REF requirements and research excellence in art and design practice is essential.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in shaping how the RCA presents and demonstrates its research excellence, impact and research environment through REF29.

If you are an experienced academic leader who can bring strategic vision, research expertise and collaborative leadership to this important institutional priority, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please see Information Pack for more details of this exciting role.  Please apply using the short application form, with an upload for your CV and a covering letter outlining your reasons for applying for the role, the skills and experience you bring.

Closing for applications at 11.59pm on 18th October 2026

Closing Date: 18 Oct 2026

Programme/Department: Senior Manager - Non academic

Salary: 17.5 hours per week, fixed term until 31.12.2028

Cohort 2 Recruitment: 

Funding providers: AHRC and Royal College of Art 

Location: London

Funding for: UK, EU and International Students

Project start date: September 2027

Mode of study: Full and Part time 

Funding Details: 

• Fees fully funded

• Stipend £23,805, Pro-rata for part-time students*

*The rate is set by UKRI and will increase with inflation annually.

RCA is one of 50 universities across the UK funded through the Doctoral Landscape Award scheme, receiving funding for 15 doctoral studentships over five years.

The Royal College of Art’s Creative & Caring Communities (CCC) Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) brings together a wide range of RCA expertise and collaborative partnerships to foster innovative doctoral research.

CCC aims to support new themes of research in art and humanities, architecture, design, and communication by cultivating hybrid interdisciplinary approaches with practice research at the centre. The scheme aims to foster collaborative doctoral research practices that generate new ways of knowing and create meaningful impact.  

CCC delivers an experience-led and inclusive space for original doctoral research that targets complex spatial, social, cultural and technological concerns. Care is at the heart of resilience. CCC aims to explore new experimental and methodological approaches that advance and contribute to emerging fields of interdisciplinary studies.

We are looking for your submission between  all  schools:

• School of Arts and Humanities

• School of Communication and Design

• School of Architecture 

Applications should be made via the Applicant Portal:

• Applications open: Monday 12 October 2026

• The deadline to submit your application is Friday 8 January 2027, 12 noon (UK time).

• Indicate that you wish to apply for the CC DLA Studentship Award by using the tick box provided. 

For further information about the award, how to apply please visit the CCC DLA Webpage. 

You can also register for the Information Webinar, for PhD candidates interested in applying for AHRC CCC funding, to learn more about the award and how to apply.

Time: 9.30 am, 6th October 2026.

Duration: 1 hour maximum

Indicative Format:

• Introduction (Hala Mansour)

• Short presentations from School Post Graduate Research Leads 

• Q&A

Fair Access and Widening Participation

RCA is encouraging students from the UK under-representation of particular groups within postgraduate study to apply. 

Closing Date: 08 Jan 2027

Programme/Department: Studentship