Head of Programme(s) - Higher Education

LCKA offers an opportunity for a proactive and visionary Head of Programmes to lead our academic portfolio, ensuring courses are innovative, inclusive, and aligned with our mission of student success.

LCK Academy is a forward-thinking, diverse and dynamic place to build your career. We believe that our staff are central to our success, and having the right people with the right skills and commitment is vital to achieving our goals. We are seeking a proactive and dedicated Head of Programmes to lead our academic portfolio, ensuring courses are innovative, inclusive and aligned with our mission. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and a solution-focused approach to support both colleagues and students in achieving outstanding outcomes.

We offer the opportunity to develop your career in a collaborative and supportive environment, with a benefits package that includes generous leave and flexible weekday scheduling, tailored CPD and leadership development, an inclusive and values-driven workplace, and the chance to make a real impact on students\’ lives through education.

Equality, Diversity And Inclusion & Ethos

LCK Academy is unapologetically proud of our stance: Zero Self Doubt, Zero Hardship. We\’re an inclusive environment built on empathy, action, and empowerment, grounded in the UK Quality Code and Equality Act 2010. We make space for diverse voices and encourage applications from those historically underrepresented in higher education leadership.

How to Apply

Email your CV and short cover letter (max 2 pages) to by 20 th July 2025. Please include the job title you are applying for ( i.e. \”Head of Programme\”) in the email subject line. Or connect with Marriam Mughees on LinkedIn for a confidential chat.

Job Description Job Title Head of Programme(s) – Higher Education Department Higher Education Reporting to The Executive Dean Hours Full-time Location Harrow, London

London\’s Community Kitchen Academy (LCKA)

LCKA provides students with Higher National Diplomas (HND) in Business and Hospitality Management in partnership with Strode College, as well as professional courses in Cookery and Digital Skills. LCKA courses provide students with a flexible pathway to the final year of a university degree. They also help students build the confidence they for gainful employment, job promotion or to start their own enterprises. The LCKA ethos is zero self-doubt, zero hardship.

The Role

We are looking for like-minded individuals who have a passion for supporting our cause and mission to join our small but dynamic team. We are seeking a dedicated and proactive Head of Programmes to join us. As Head of Programmes, the post holder will lead our academic programme portfolio, ensuring courses are innovative, inclusive, compliant, and infused with LCKA\’s spirit of confidence and support. Responsibility includes overseeing validation, monitoring, strategy, and team development all focused on removing barriers to success. More importantly, we are seeking individuals who understand the dynamics of a higher education institute, have excellent interpersonal communication skills, a proactive and solution-focused mind-set, and the ability to work as part of a team and on their own initiative.

Academic Leadership & Oversight:

• Oversee curriculum planning, validation, and revalidation processes.
• For the programme, lead strategic academic development of curriculum design, academic processes and quality assurance procedures in alignment with OfS, QAA, and awarding body standards Embedding Zero Self-Doubt, Zero-Hardship in curriculum design, student experience, and support frameworks.
• Lead on accreditation, quality assurance reviews, and academic standard setting.
• Ensure effective delivery of staff performance development reviews, including lesson observations, peer observation cycles, and targeted professional development planning.
• Oversee induction processes for both staff and students to ensure a smooth and informed transition into the learning environment.
• Collaborate with external partners, awarding bodies, and stakeholders to maintain academic quality and enhance programme value.
• Participate in staff recruitment and student admissions processes, including interviewing and selection.
• Take overall responsibility for the quality, progression, and outcomes of students enrolled on the programme of study.
• Write and present an internal annual monitoring report, and other reports (as appropriate), drawing on data and feedback to evaluate programme health and recommend improvements.Work closely with the Executive Dean to ensure strong governance, programme health, and compliance.
• Act as a Personal Tutor to a cohort of students when and as needed, offering academic and pastoral guidance.
• Contribute to teaching and assessment as needed.
• Participate in boards of study, exam boards, and academic committees.
• Support students through progression, mitigating circumstances, and academic appeals.

Operational & Strategic Management

• Coordinate timetabling, staff resource planning, and programme delivery (including weekends).
• Drive programme innovation informed by student needs and employment trends.
• Liaise with partner awarding bodies, universities, and sector networks.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead and Line manage academic staff and in particular module tutors, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Foster a reflective, inclusive, and supportive team culture.
• Oversee timetabling, teaching allocation, and resource planning
• Ensure consistency in academic delivery, marking, moderation, and feedback
• Develop and deliver staff CPD and academic enhancement initiatives aligned with LCKA\’s vision.
• Encourage and support staff engagement in research, scholarship, and professional development to enhance subject expertise and pedagogical practice.
• Oversee staff timetabling, teaching allocation, and academic resource planning to ensure effective programme delivery.
• Ensure consistency and rigour in academic delivery, marking, moderation, and feedback across all programmes.
• Actively lead by example through contribution to teaching, scholarship, and academic leadership activities.
• Engage with external academic and professional bodies to inform practice, maintain sector relevance, and strengthen institutional reputation.
• Take responsibility for personal development, staying current with sector trends, policy developments, and pedagogical innovations.

Student Support & Success

• Use data to proactively enhance student performance, progression, and satisfaction
• Work cross-functionally to ensure pastoral, academic, and wellbeing support removes hardship and builds confidence in LCKA\’s students.
• Evaluate student feedback to identify trends and areas for improvement and produce regular reports with actionable insights to be shared with the Academy\’s academic governance structure\’s committees and working groups (as appropriate) for review and implementation.
• Undergraduate degree (any discipline but a degree with mathematical component preferred)
• Master\’s degree in relevant field (PhD preferred)
• A teaching qualification or being prepared to obtain a teaching qualification (e.g Certificate in Learning and Teaching, or PGCE/PGCHE) within two years of appointment,
• Membership of Advanced HE or willing to work towards membership within a year of appointment
• Proven leadership and management track record in UK higher education or similar settings
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks (the UK QAA Quality Code 2024, OfS)
• Experience in curriculum development, validation, and academic enhancement
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), safeguarding, Prevent, and inclusive teaching
• Passion for empowering learners, aligned with the ethos of zero self-doubt and zero hardship.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post.
• Doctorate (PhD or equivalent)
• Experience with small or emerging HE providers
• Experience in community-rooted or mission-driven education

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned in consultation with the postholder to ensure the continual progress of the Academy.