Head of Student Success (Retention & Attainment)

Company: Victoria College of Arts and DesignPosition: Head of Student Success ( Retention & Attainment ) Location: ON-SITE, London, UKSalary: £60,000 to £70,000 (Depending on experience and qualification)Employment Type: Full-Time, Monday to Friday, (9am – 5pm)About Us:Victoria College of Arts and Design provides the highest quality education in the arts and design fields. Our main goal is to guide and support our students on their journey to become successful individuals. We strive to offer the best services and resources available to ensure that our students are well-prepared for a career in the creative industries. From the moment a student enrols to the day they graduate, we are committed to providing the support and guidance needed to help them reach their full potential. Whether it is through our expert instructors, state-of-the-art facilities, or extensive network of industry connections, Victoria College of Arts and Design is dedicated to helping our students achieve their goals and build successful career.Position Overview: The Head of Student Success ( Retention & Attainment ) is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the retention department and the Assessment department at VCAD. The primary focus of this position is to ensure high levels of student retention and academic achievement through strategic planning, effective leadership, and innovative initiatives. Reporting directly to the senior management team, the successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the student experience and fostering a culture of success and excellence at VCAD.Key Responsibilities:Leadership and Collaboration:Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to the retention and examination departments, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.Collaborate with senior management, academic leadership, and other key stakeholders to align retention and examination strategies with organizational goals and objectives.Represent VCAD externally at industry conferences, seminars, and forums to share best practices, network with peers, and stay informed of emerging trends and innovations in student retention and assessment.Foster a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making, promoting accountability, transparency, and results-oriented approaches to achieving retention and examination goals.Assessment Management: Lead and manage the planning, organization, and administration of all assessments and marking schedules, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and institutional policies.Proactively manage all data population processes ensuring the marking and grade sheets are populated in strict alignment with agreed schedules and with both precision and accuracy.Ensure strict alignment with positive data integrity and data protection processes.Proactively collaborate with academic departments to schedule examinations efficiently and minimize disruptions.Implement best practices for assessment administration, including security measures and to ensure inclusive practice for all students.Proactively keep abreast of all systems and processes associated with student success and develop strong networks to support this.Student Success and Retention: Develop and implement comprehensive strategies to enhance student success, retention, and attainment.Ensure that all team within student success including student success manager, student success leads and student success tutors are all meeting their KPIs. Produce a monthly report for each cohorts and campuses about Progressions (this can be linked with SST Report) and formally presented to SMTEnsure we maintain a ration of 1 student success tutors to 100 students. Analyse data and trends to identify factors influencing student retention and success and develop targeted interventions.Proactively provide reports on student success and retention as required by institutional and partner boards and committees.Collaborate with academic and professional services’ departments to provide holistic support for students, addressing academic, social, and personal needs.Implement initiatives to support underrepresented student populations and promote inclusivity and diversity.Qualifications:Master's degree or higher in Education, Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, or a related field.Minimum of 5 years of experience in student retention, examination administration, or academic affairs leadership roles within higher education, preferably in arts or design institutions.Strong understanding of student retention theories, assessment principles, and best practices in higher education.Demonstrated leadership and management experience, with the ability to lead and motivate teams, drive change, and achieve results.Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a data-driven approach to strategy development and evaluation.Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.Knowledge of regulatory requirements and accreditation standards related to student retention, examination administration, and academic affairs.Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of student support and academic affairs.Location: This position is based in London, United Kingdom, with occasional travel required for meetings, conferences, and professional development activities.VCAD is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.If you are a visionary leader with a passion for student success and academic excellence, we invite you to apply for the position of Head of Student Retention & Attainment at VCAD. Join us in shaping the future of arts and design education.Benefits:Private medical (health) insurance with BUPA.Generous annual leave including bank holidays.Workplace pension scheme.Statutory Sick Pay.Career development opportunities.Gym membership discounts.Retail discount schemes.Cinema discounts.Grocery discounts.Cycle to work scheme.Financial wellbeing support including personal debt advice and education.My Mind Pal (mental fitness) program.If you meet the qualifications and experience required and are passionate about supporting students in their academic journey, we encourage you to apply for the role of Head of Student Success ( Retention & Attainment ) at VCAD. Join our dedicated team and make a positive impact on the lives of our students.