At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Architecture and Landscape department, shaping its future and enhancing student experience.
- Company: Join Kingston School of Art, a top UK institution with a rich heritage in art and design.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, additional responsibilities allowance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with industry partners and engage in exciting cross-disciplinary projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment while leading innovative academic initiatives.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills, academic credibility, and a passion for fostering student success.
The predicted salary is between 60996 - 60996 £ per year.
Shape the future of Architecture and Landscape at Kingston School of Art.
Kingston School of Art is seeking an outstanding academic leader to join us as Associate Professor in Architecture and Landscape, serving as Head of Department for an initial four-year period.
This is a permanent academic position, subject to probation, with the expectation that the successful candidate will return to standard departmental responsibilities following their period as Head of Department.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a vibrant, ambitious and interdisciplinary department and to play a key role in shaping the future of Architecture and Landscape at Kingston School of Art.
As a member of the School Leadership Team, you will work closely with senior colleagues to translate School, Faculty and University priorities into meaningful action, driving excellence in student experience, academic quality, research, knowledge exchange and external engagement.
As Head of Department, you will provide strategic, academic and operational leadership for Architecture and Landscape, ensuring an outstanding student experience and fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion and academic excellence.
Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will maintain an active academic profile appropriate to Associate Professor level through teaching, research, professional practice and/or knowledge exchange activity.
We are looking for a collaborative, credible and inspiring academic leader with the vision, judgement and experience to lead change and support colleagues to thrive.
You will have a strong understanding of the contemporary landscape of architectural and design education, with the ability to build on the Department's strengths while identifying and developing new opportunities for growth, collaboration and impact.
You will be adept at building strong relationships across the University and with professional, industry and external partners, aligning departmental priorities with wider strategic ambitions.
You will also bring the ability to manage resources effectively, including people, budgets, workload and specialist learning and studio spaces.
We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate a strong academic and professional profile alongside the leadership capability to take Architecture and Landscape into its next phase of development.
This is an opportunity to shape not only the future of the Department, but also its contribution to the distinctive, practice-led and interdisciplinary culture of Kingston School of Art.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they meet the Kingston University standards in learning and teaching, and research.
By the end of the probation period, you must have achieved the relevant level of UKPSF recognition (if this has not already been obtained).
For those new to teaching, this will be through our accredited Introduction to Learning and Teaching and for those experienced in teaching, through our Kingston Academic Practice Standards Framework. '
The successful candidate will demonstrate
- Strategic leadership and vision, with the ability to lead the Department through change and identify opportunities for its future development.
- Strong people and management skills, with experience of leading diverse academic teams and managing staff, budgets, workload and specialist resources.
- Academic and professional credibility, with a strong record in teaching, research, knowledge exchange and/or professional practice relevant to Architecture and Landscape.
- Commitment to an outstanding student experience, supporting student achievement, progression, belonging and academic development.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across the University and develop productive relationships with professional, industry and cultural partners.
- A commitment to inclusion, innovation and collegiality, creating an environment in which staff and students can thrive.
- The vision and judgement to enhance the Department's profile and impact, strengthening its distinctive contribution to Kingston School of Art and its national and international reputation.
Kingston School of Art (KSA) has a strong heritage.
Since its origins in the late 19th century it has established an exceptional reputation and become one of the UK's leading art and design educational institutions.
The Faculty combines a dedication to creative risk-taking, innovation and experimentation with a commitment to working with numerous local, national and global partners and collaborators to lead and shape the future of the creative and cultural industries.
As an Art School within a university, KSA fuses the benefits of an art and design-focused identity with the ability to be at the forefront of exciting cross-disciplinary developments in diverse areas such as health, business, engineering and the humanities and social sciences.
Ranked in the top five per cent of the world for art and design education by QS Top Universities, KSA produces globally celebrated alumni, high performing courses, impactful research performance and regularly achieves industry and student awards while engaging with the latest thinking from industry practitioners.
The Faculty works with leading brands and institutions forging exciting partnerships with organisations like the ICA, the Design Museum and the BFI.
More recently, the Faculty has expanded its international presence through partnerships with the Indian Institute of Art and Design and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, America.
With a wide variety of disciplines taught within the Faculty, KSA offers opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration in research and teaching - providing both exceptional choice for students and a stimulating environment for academics in the creative fields.
- This is a full time (37 hours per week), permanent position with a starting salary of £60,996 per annum.
- There is an additional responsibilities allowance for the duration of tenure as Head of Department of £6000 per annum.
Interviews are expected to be held in person on Tuesday 20th October 2026.
For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Dr Fan Carter, head of School of Arts, KSA.
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Head of Department of Architecture and Landscape & Associate Professor in London employer: Kingston University
Kingston School of Art is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and interdisciplinary environment where academic leaders can thrive. With a strong commitment to innovation, inclusion, and academic excellence, employees benefit from collaborative relationships across the university and with industry partners, fostering professional growth and impactful contributions to the creative and cultural sectors. The school's rich heritage and top-ranking status in art and design education provide a unique opportunity for meaningful engagement and development in a supportive community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Department of Architecture and Landscape & Associate Professor in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Kingston University who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
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✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Department of Architecture and Landscape & Associate Professor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Kingston University!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Kingston University. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kingston University
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Kingston University.
