Head of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
| Posting date: | 21 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Includes London Allowance |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 21 December 2025 |
| Location: | London, UK |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | The Royal College of Art |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Head of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Grade 10: £64,753–£72,255 per annum (incl. London Allowance)
Permanent | Full time | Hybrid (3 days on site)
Interview Date: Wednesday 28 January 2026
The Royal College of Art is the world’s leading university for art and design and home to a diverse, global creative community. As we move towards our bicentenary in 2037, we are strengthening our commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of College life.
We are now seeking a Head of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion to provide academic and strategic leadership that supports an inclusive, respectful and intellectually open community. This role is central to delivering our EDI Strategy, Race Equality Charter commitments and our values: Integrity, Inclusion, Curiosity and Collaboration.
About the Role
The Head of EDI will lead institution-wide work to embed inclusive practice across teaching, research and operations. You will:
Shape and deliver the EDI Strategy and oversee the Race Equality Charter action plan.
Support inclusive and equitable approaches to learning, teaching and assessment.
Champion intersectional thinking and remove systemic barriers to belonging.
Influence senior decision-making across governance bodies.
Lead and mentor the EDI Officers and RCA BLK, and act as senior sponsor for staff and student networks.
Support policy development on equality, freedom of speech and academic freedom.
Maintain a 20% research profile in EDI, belonging or related fields.
You will work closely with colleagues across the College, including the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education & Student Success), Director of People & Culture, Associate Deans, Heads of Programme and the Students’ Union.
About You
We welcome applications from candidates who can bring a mix of academic leadership, strategic insight and lived experience. You will have:
A strong track record in teaching, research and/or academic leadership in higher education.
Experience leading EDI or equality initiatives with measurable cultural impact.
In-depth understanding of intersectional equality, inclusive pedagogy, belonging and academic freedom.
Experience engaging with senior governance bodies.
Knowledge of equality frameworks such as REC, AdvanceHE and relevant legislation.
Inclusive leadership skills and the ability to engage confidently across diverse communities.
Salary & Benefits
Grade 10: £64,753–£72,255 including London Allowance
30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and College closure days
SAUL pension scheme
Season ticket loans, enhanced family-friendly policies, occupational health and 24/7 support services
Hybrid working between Kensington and Battersea
Our Recruitment Process
We want applicants to feel informed and supported throughout:
7 January 2026: Applications close
w/c 12 January: Shortlisting
w/c 19 January: Optional candidate engagement/Q&A session
28 January 2026: Final panel interview
Shortlisted candidates will receive the interview format, panel members, questions and—if applicable—presentation topic in advance. We limit the panel to four colleagues to ensure the process feels welcoming and focused.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through our online system. We do not request CVs. Instead, candidates will answer six questions linked to the essential criteria.
Grade 10: £64,753–£72,255 per annum (incl. London Allowance)
Permanent | Full time | Hybrid (3 days on site)
Interview Date: Wednesday 28 January 2026
The Royal College of Art is the world’s leading university for art and design and home to a diverse, global creative community. As we move towards our bicentenary in 2037, we are strengthening our commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of College life.
We are now seeking a Head of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion to provide academic and strategic leadership that supports an inclusive, respectful and intellectually open community. This role is central to delivering our EDI Strategy, Race Equality Charter commitments and our values: Integrity, Inclusion, Curiosity and Collaboration.
About the Role
The Head of EDI will lead institution-wide work to embed inclusive practice across teaching, research and operations. You will:
Shape and deliver the EDI Strategy and oversee the Race Equality Charter action plan.
Support inclusive and equitable approaches to learning, teaching and assessment.
Champion intersectional thinking and remove systemic barriers to belonging.
Influence senior decision-making across governance bodies.
Lead and mentor the EDI Officers and RCA BLK, and act as senior sponsor for staff and student networks.
Support policy development on equality, freedom of speech and academic freedom.
Maintain a 20% research profile in EDI, belonging or related fields.
You will work closely with colleagues across the College, including the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education & Student Success), Director of People & Culture, Associate Deans, Heads of Programme and the Students’ Union.
About You
We welcome applications from candidates who can bring a mix of academic leadership, strategic insight and lived experience. You will have:
A strong track record in teaching, research and/or academic leadership in higher education.
Experience leading EDI or equality initiatives with measurable cultural impact.
In-depth understanding of intersectional equality, inclusive pedagogy, belonging and academic freedom.
Experience engaging with senior governance bodies.
Knowledge of equality frameworks such as REC, AdvanceHE and relevant legislation.
Inclusive leadership skills and the ability to engage confidently across diverse communities.
Salary & Benefits
Grade 10: £64,753–£72,255 including London Allowance
30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and College closure days
SAUL pension scheme
Season ticket loans, enhanced family-friendly policies, occupational health and 24/7 support services
Hybrid working between Kensington and Battersea
Our Recruitment Process
We want applicants to feel informed and supported throughout:
7 January 2026: Applications close
w/c 12 January: Shortlisting
w/c 19 January: Optional candidate engagement/Q&A session
28 January 2026: Final panel interview
Shortlisted candidates will receive the interview format, panel members, questions and—if applicable—presentation topic in advance. We limit the panel to four colleagues to ensure the process feels welcoming and focused.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through our online system. We do not request CVs. Instead, candidates will answer six questions linked to the essential criteria.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.