Company: Victoria College of Arts and Design
Position: Head of Student Experience
Job Location: Onsite, Canary Wharf, London
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Salary Range: £60,000 – £70,000 per annum
Are you a passionate Student Experience Leader ready to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds?
Victoria College of Arts and Design (VCAD) is an independent higher education provider with campuses in London and Manchester. We deliver programmes in partnership with Arts University Plymouth and are proud to serve a community of mature learners, first-generation students, and individuals balancing study with work and family life.
We are at an exciting point in our journey — actively progressing our registration with the Office for Students (OfS) — and we are looking for an exceptional leader to take ownership of our entire student experience function at this pivotal moment.
The Opportunity
As Head of Student Experience, you will lead and shape everything that defines life as a VCAD student — from the moment they enrol to the day they graduate and beyond. You will have strategic oversight of our Student Information Team, Student Engagement Team, Student Services, Health & Wellbeing, Careers & Employability, and Academic Skills functions, reporting directly to the Directors of VCAD.
This is not just a management role. It is a genuine opportunity to build, transform, and champion a student experience that is inclusive, data-driven, and sector-leading.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the development and delivery of VCAD's institutional Student Experience strategy across all campuses
- Playing a central role in our OfS registration journey — with particular focus on student experience and student satisfaction
- Driving data-informed approaches to student retention, early intervention, and targeted support for students at risk
- Overseeing student wellbeing, mental health, disability support, and safeguarding compliance (Equality Act 2010, GDPR)
- Leading a comprehensive employability strategy — building industry partnerships and equipping students with the skills and confidence to thrive in the workforce
- Representing the student experience at Board and senior leadership level
- Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion across every aspect of the student journey
What We're Looking For
We'd love to hear from you if you bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience in student services or student experience within UK higher education
- Strong working knowledge of the OfS regulatory framework, including B3 student outcomes and Access & Participation obligations
- A proven track record of using data and insight to improve student outcomes at institutional level
- Excellent people leadership skills — you know how to build, motivate, and develop high-performing teams
- A genuine and demonstrable commitment to widening participation and inclusive practice
- Experience managing budgets and delivering high-quality services in a resource-conscious environment
Bonus points if you have experience in a small or independent HE provider, familiarity with HESA data returns, or a background supporting students with complex needs.
Benefits
- Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
- Workplace pension scheme.
- Company Sick Policy.
- Statutory maternity/paternity pays.
- Career development opportunities
- Training and self-development opportunities.
- Gym membership discounts
- Retail discount schemes
- Cinema discounts
- Grocery discounts
- Cycle to work
- Investing and savings opportunities
- Financial wellbeing – personal debt advise.
- Financial wellbeing education
- My Mind Pal (mental fitness)
Ready to Apply?
If you are passionate about student success and want to help shape the future of a growing, purpose-driven higher education provider, we would love to hear from you.
Victoria College of Arts and Design is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building an inclusive team and warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
