Vice-Chancellor

Goldsmiths, University of London, stands as a world-leading centre for radical creativity, progressive scholarship, and interdisciplinary innovation. For over a century, we have been at the forefront of cultural and intellectual change, producing nearly a quarter of all Turner Prize winners and graduates who shape creative industries and social progress globally. Rooted in our founding mission to serve "the industrial, working and poorer classes," we remain deeply committed to social justice and progressive education.

Our 7,500 students on our vibrant South-East London campus experience education where interdisciplinarity is the norm and critical thinking flourishes at the intersection of creativity, technology, and social critique. Ranked top in the UK for students' academic progression and top three for Art and Design, with nearly 80% of our research rated internationally excellent or world-leading, Goldsmiths holds a proud reputation across the sector. As we celebrate 120 years as a university and navigate a critical period of transformation, we seek a Vice-Chancellor who will champion our distinctive identity and ensure Goldsmiths continues to be an essential force for creativity and positive change.

We seek an exceptional leader who can provide highly visible, inspirational leadership while championing Goldsmiths' distinctive identity as a crucible for radical creativity and progressive scholarship. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of and commitment to the higher education sector, with strong financial acumen and a proven ability to lead sustainable transformational change.

You will be an outstanding communicator with the vision to advance Goldsmiths' global reputation, the strategic capability to ensure financial sustainability and diversify income streams, and a creative approach to leveraging Goldsmiths’ unique reputation externally. Essential to success will be a profound commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, alongside the emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity to lead a community that values radical inquiry and social purpose. Above all, we seek a leader who will embrace what makes Goldsmiths special, who will work in genuine partnership with our community to navigate change while preserving what makes Goldsmiths distinctive and essential.

We are a member of the Disability Confident scheme and actively encourage applications from disabled people for positions at Goldsmiths.

For informal inquiries, please contact Principal Research Associate, Eljoh Balajadia on eljoh.balajadia@perrettlaver.com or +44 (0) 203 928 7375.

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm (GMT) on Sunday 29^th March 2026.

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