Academic Officer
Bloomsbury, London
Full-time, Permanent (35 hours per week, Monday–Friday)
£30,000 – £35,000 per year (depending on experience)

West Dean is a unique and inspiring place to work, combining internationally recognised education in arts, design, craft, and conservation with a rich heritage environment.
Our London campus in Bloomsbury is home to a vibrant creative community, offering students access to world-class learning in a dynamic and supportive setting.

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Academic Officer to join our Academic & Student Services team.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will play a key part in supporting the delivery of academic programmes and ensuring an excellent student experience. You will act as a central point of contact for students, academic staff, and visiting lecturers, helping to coordinate programme activity from induction through to assessment and graduation.

Student Support & Experience

• Act as a first point of contact for student queries, providing advice and guidance
• Support students throughout their academic journey, including pastoral support where appropriate
• Assist in the organisation of student events, exhibitions, and inductions

Programme & Course Administration

• Support the coordination of academic programmes, including timetabling and room bookings
• Maintain programme documentation such as student handbooks and course materials
• Administer and update systems such as the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• Coordinate visiting lecturers, including scheduling and contracts
• Organise study trips in line with budgets and requirements

Assessment & Quality Assurance

• Support the administration of assessment processes, including coursework submissions and feedback
• Assist in preparing documentation for assessment boards
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and results

General Administration

• Maintain student records and ensure data accuracy
• Support meetings, including preparing agendas and taking minutes
• Assist with key events such as Open Days, Graduation, and student exhibitions
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders

We are looking for someone who is detail-oriented, approachable, and able to manage a varied workload in a fast-paced environment.

Essential:

• Previous administrative experience
• Experience working in a customer-focused or student-facing environment
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office

Desirable:

• Experience working in Higher or Further Education
• Degree or qualification in an arts-related subject

• Based in Bloomsbury, London
• Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Hybrid working available following initial training

• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Generous contributory pension scheme (4%–7.5% employer match)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free access to West Dean Gardens
• Staff discounts on events, food, and short courses
• Subsidised accommodation at West Dean (Chichester)

Closing date: 28 April 2026
Interview date: 13 May 2026

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application

• Please view the Academic Officer LD 04 2026 document (opens in a pop up)