Creative Programme Lead: Schools of Thought

Creativity is at the brink of great change and there is a galvanising call embedded at the heart of our University's strategy. To remain at the heart of creative education in an era of polarisation and new intelligences, a total rethink is underway in our systems, skills and the sectors we partner with.

At Central Saint Martins, we are regenerating creativity through our three core identities: as a cultural institution, an educational organisation and a rapidly evolving business of innovation and creative leadership. To build on the College's core spirit of interdisciplinarity and thematic integrity as an art school, CSM has embarked on an exciting College-wide transformation to create three Schools of Thought: C-School (Culture), S-School (System) and M-School (Material). There is a deliberate de-emphasising of disciplinary categories such as art, design and performance. The current naming strategy emphasises the whole (C + S + M = CSM) and its making practices and aims to allow space for working across schools while adapting to societal and planetary conditions as called for in our University's ambitious strategy.

We are seeking a dynamic, versatile and experienced creative leader to play a key role in activating and supporting our 'Schools of Thought' transformational project. The 'Schools of Thought' project will help shape the next phase of Central Saint Martins through dialogue with our students, staff, alumni, collaborators and partners.

As Creative Programme Lead, you will work closely with the Head of College to design, drive and manage the implementation of the programme, whilst working closely with colleagues from across the College and University.

You will undertake a wide range of responsibilities including:

• Overseeing CSM's programming and priorities in conjunction with your colleagues.
• Identifying and working with senior staff and external contacts to support CSM's vision (e.g. potential speakers, advisory boards, guests and collaborators).
• Championing new modes of engagement, including hybrid/virtual events and presentations.
• Presenting evaluation reports on the programme to senior leadership groups.

Your work will help to shape and reposition the relevance of CSM and its three schools, whilst delivering a programme that will help to redefine our future.

About you

We encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. This may include a background in curatorial, editorial and creative direction, creative strategy, learning, engagement and education roles, as well as experience in senior development and programming departments in galleries and museums, commercial and creative brand thought leadership, educational institutions, third sector, charities and research.

As you will be working closely and liaising with staff, students, alumni and partners of CSM, you will need excellent communication skills and the ability to work across internal departments, as well as with external partners and funders.

Strong leadership, strategic planning and practical skills will also be essential for enacting our 'Schools of Thought' project.

Working at UAL

Central Saint Martins (CSM) has an international reputation as a world-leading art school producing generations of extraordinary creative practitioners who have had significant impact in the creative industries shaping how we see the world. The College has a legacy of engaging with the global debate about the arts, performance and design, and their role in societal transformation. This is at the heart of what we do: we challenge what people think they know about the arts, performance, and design, and how it shapes and impacts us all.

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.