Vice-Principal (Academic)
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Central London
RADA is one of the world's leading conservatoires, renowned for preparing generations of graduates for exceptional careers across theatre, film, television and the wider creative industries. While our heritage is a source of tremendous pride, our focus is firmly on the future. As we deliver an ambitious new strategic plan, we are committed to strengthening our impact, broadening our reach and ensuring RADA remains recognised not only for excellence, but also for innovation, inclusivity, wellbeing and sector leadership.
To help realise these ambitions, we are now seeking an outstanding Vice Principal (Academic) to play a central part in shaping RADA's educational mission and artistic identity, safeguarding the quality and reputation of our training while evolving our offer to maximise its relevance. Contributing to the wider leadership of the Academy, you will help ensure RADA continues to thrive in a rapidly evolving higher education and artistic landscape.
Providing strategic leadership across our academic portfolio, you will champion excellence in teaching, learning and research, ensuring coherence and quality across all areas of provision. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Academy, you will align teaching, research and industry engagement behind a shared academic purpose, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, creativity and collaboration. You will also help shape the future development of our offer, including opportunities in areas such as digital performance, technical training and new forms of creative practice. Over and above this, you will play a leading role in developing external partnerships, both in academia and industry, increasing our reach and influence and ensuring that we continue to pioneer in the interest of artistic excellence and optimal student outcomes.
We are looking for a credible and inspiring academic leader who values what makes RADA distinctive while bringing the vision, judgement and personal gravitas to lead change where needed. You will have a strong track record of building partnerships, influencing stakeholders and delivering innovation, alongside a deep commitment to student success and the transformative power of conservatoire education.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of one of the world's most respected creative institutions. If it sounds like the opportunity for you, we look forward to hearing from you.
RADA is committed to inclusive leadership and welcomes applications from candidates who are currently under‑represented at this level, including Black, Asian and Global Majority candidates, and D/deaf and disabled candidates.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Manjit Mundair-Lalli on manjit.mundair-lalli@gatenbysanderson.com or Stephanie Wilson on stephanie.wilson@gatenbysanderson.com
Closing date: Friday 30 October 2026 @ 5pm
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Equity, diversity and inclusion
RADA are very interested to hear from Black, Asian, and Global Majority candidates as well as candidates who identify as D/deaf or disabled, who are underrepresented at this level at RADA. We are taking positive action by guaranteeing progress directly to the preliminary interview stage of the process, to any applicant who self-identifies as being from a Black, Asian or Global Majority background, and/or who self-identifies as D/deaf or disabled and has professional experience in a senior executive leadership role, either at a Conservatoire or in Higher Education.
If you require any support to be able to take part in the interview process, please let us know when you apply, and we will ensure our interview process is accessible for you
Recruitment Timetable
Closing Date for Applications
Friday 30 October 2026 @ 5pm
Preliminary Interviews with GatenbySanderson (Virtual)
w/c Monday 9 November 2026
Assessments, Due Diligence & Informal Conversations (IC)
w/c Monday 23 November 2026 and w/c Monday 30 November 2026
Final Panel Interview & Stakeholder Engagement Exercise (SEE) (In Person)
TBC - Thursday 3 December 2026 or Friday 4 December 2026
How to Apply
For a full application, we will need three elements:
- A curriculum vitae (no more than three pages).
- A structured application statement (no more than two pages) addressing the role profile and person specification.
- A short video - using the link provided record a short video of up to three minutes in duration responding to the following:
- Why do you wish to become RADA’s Vice-Principal (Academic) and what would you bring to the role?
To record your video https://myint.video/aJyyCcjMw-
