Dean of Continuing Education, University of Roehampton

At the University of Roehampton, we recognise that our staff are essential to our success. We therefore need to attract people with the skills required to help fulfil our goals. We know that our achievements depend upon everyone working here knowing that we all have a role to play.

Thank you for your interest in joining the University of Roehampton Group at this pivotal and exciting time in our journey. As we continue to build on our rich heritage and evolve as an ambitious and forward-thinking institution, we are seeking an exceptional leader to shape the future of lifelong learning as our new Dean of Continuing Education and Executive Director of Roehampton Education Services Limited (RESL).

Roehampton has a long and distinguished history in education, dating back to the 19th century when our founding colleges pioneered teacher training for those who were previously excluded from higher education. Rooted in the values of social justice, inclusion, and opportunity, we have always been committed to transforming lives through learning. Today, that mission continues as we expand our reach, ensuring that education is accessible to all—particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds—while equipping learners with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a changing world.

This is a moment of transformation for us. We are embarking on an ambitious strategic plan that reinforces our role as a leader in professional, technical, and vocational education. The growing demand for flexible, career-focused learning—especially through pre-degree and pathway education, higher and degree apprenticeships, and short courses—presents a significant opportunity. At the University of Roehampton, we are responding with innovative, employer-driven programmes that open new pathways into higher education and the workforce.

As Dean of Continuing Education, you will be at the heart of this agenda. You will lead the development of a dynamic and accessible education portfolio, across all pre-degree, technical and vocational education, including CPD, short courses and apprenticeships. You will forge strong collaborations with academic schools, industry partners, and external stakeholders. Your leadership will be key to ensuring that our programmes not only meet the evolving needs of learners but also drive social mobility and economic growth.

This is an opportunity to make a real and lasting impact, championing non-traditional routes into higher education and innovation at a university that is deeply committed to excellence and inclusivity. If you are inspired by our vision and eager to be part of a university with a proud history and an ambitious future, I encourage you to explore this role further.

The University of Roehampton has a strong and fast-growing reputation for the quality of teaching and research, and is proud to have a community of talented and committed members of staff. The University is financially sound, well-governed and well-managed, with a clear sense of purpose and values. We are more popular among students than we have ever been, with robust levels of applications that have been growing year on year. Student success in key areas, such as retention and employment, has improved significantly.

We have a unique and positive sense of community and tradition based on our four Colleges, which are located on a fantastic campus in south-west London. We have a proud heritage of providing educational opportunities for people from all walks of life, from the first women to enrol in Whitelands College in 1842, to the generations of people taught since. The educational missions of our four colleges are inspired by the values of social progress. These values inform the academic life of Roehampton today, including our teaching, our research and our engagement with communities and organisations locally, nationally and internationally.

We have a strong partnership with our diverse community of students, and we provide an inclusive environment in which we encourage all our students to succeed. We already deliver excellent educational outcomes, and our graduates have among the best employment rates of any modern university in London. We also have a global community of alumni, who have a strong affinity with Roehampton and our colleges and who share their expertise and knowledge with our students.

Through our professional services, colleges and students’ union, we deliver an excellent wider student experience and a supportive culture, with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and personal growth.

The University Strategy 2030 is the University of Roehampton's roadmap for the future. It outlines our mission to transform lives through education and research, with a vision to be London’s leading university for unlocking potential and improving communities. The Strategy focuses on three themes:

• Student Education: Career-focused, inclusive, and flexible learning.
• Research and Engagement: Innovative and impactful research that addresses societal challenges.
• Sustainable Investment: Resilient infrastructure and a diverse portfolio of activities to ensure long-term sustainability.

We are based on a beautiful 54-acre parkland campus, located in the heart of south-west London and also at Croydon College. Our staff have access to excellent facilities and a generous range of staff benefits including discounted course fees, generous annual leave allowances, flexible and generous family friendly policies, relocation allowances and various in house training for academics.

Diversity and Inclusion is central to everything we do. We are actively committed to promoting and participating in good practice in the way we attract and retain staff, as we appreciate the value and benefits of a truly diverse workforce. Aligned to this, you will have the opportunity to join one of our three self-organised staff networks for Black, Asian and Minority staff, Women, and LGBTQ+ staff. We are also proud to be a top 100 Stonewall employers as well as be a Race Equality Charter member. We are also a bronze accredited Athena Swan employer.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.

Final Interviews: w/c 26th May 2025. Please ensure you have made a note of the final interview date(s). We recommend that you bookmark this microsite, as any potential updates regarding the role will be posted online.

A generous annual leave allowance, including Christmas closure plus bank holidays. Access to the University of Roehampton Retirement Savings Pension Plan, a defined contribution scheme, provided by Royal London. Generous family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay. Discounted Gym Membership at Nuffield Health. Cycle to Work Scheme. Employee Assistance Programme. Service led Hybrid working. Access to discounted electronic goods. Free annual flu jabs. Interest free season ticket loans. Discounted office furniture for home set ups.