Job Overview: Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) Centres and Hubs Coordinator

The London College of Fashion (LCF), part of the University of the Arts London (UAL), is seeking a highly organized and adaptable Coordinator to join its Research and Knowledge Exchange department. This role is a critical administrative backbone for LCF’s prestigious research centers, including the Centre for Sustainable Fashion and the Centre for Fashion Curation. The position balances daily operational coordination with high-level strategic support, serving as the primary liaison between specialized research hubs and the broader university’s compliance and financial systems.

Job Summary

Employer: University of the Arts London (London College of Fashion)
Location: London, United Kingdom (Stratford/East Bank)
Role Type: Full-time
Sector: Higher Education / Creative Research
Department: Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE)

Key Responsibilities

Administrative Leadership: Provide comprehensive support to Research Directors and Hub leads, ensuring the smooth daily operation of labs, networks, and centers.
Financial & Grant Monitoring: Support research grant processes and maintain rigorous financial monitoring procedures in line with university requirements.
Strategic Liaison: Act as a central point of coordination for cross-centre data, ensuring all RKE activities comply with university-wide research policies.
Event & Program Coordination: Assist in the administrative delivery of internal and external events, partnerships, and cultural programming related to fashion research.
Data Management: Analyze research data and generate reports to track the impact and progress of various knowledge exchange initiatives.
Collaborative Support: Work as a key member of the RKE administrative team, providing mutual cover and supporting senior colleagues across concurrent projects.

Requirements & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Administration, Finance, or a related discipline).
Experience: Proven background in research administration, ideally within the creative sector or Higher Education.
Technical Skills: Familiarity with grant management systems, budgeting, and financial management within a research context.
Communication: Ability to communicate effectively across oral, written, and visual media to a diverse group of stakeholders.
Organizational Mastery: Strong ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and maintain extreme attention to detail.

Professional Qualities

Adaptability: Comfortable working in a dynamic, ever-changing research environment.
Integrity: A deep commitment to ethical research practices and maintaining research integrity.
Inclusive Teamwork: A collaborative worker who upholds the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
Problem-Solving: Uses initiative and creativity to resolve complex administrative or logistical hurdles.

Salary & Benefits

Pay: Competitive (Typically aligned with UAL Grade 4 or 5 scales, often ranging between £34,000 and £42,000 depending on experience and the 2026 London weighting).
Cultural Impact: Work at the heart of the world’s leading fashion college during a period of significant growth at the new East Bank campus.
Professional Development: Access to UAL’s extensive internal training and career progression pathways.
Pension & Leave: Generous final salary pension schemes and a competitive annual leave allowance.

Job Description

Are you an administrative professional with a passion for the intersection of fashion, sustainability, and academia? The London College of Fashion is looking for an RKE Centres and Hubs Coordinator to help manage the engine room of our world-leading research. This isn’t just a “desk job”; it is a role that puts you at the center of groundbreaking work, from the Centre for Sustainable Fashion to the Centre for Fashion Business Research.

In this position, you will wear many hats. One morning you might be deep in the intricacies of a research grant application; by the afternoon, you could be coordinating a high-profile cultural event or helping a Director navigate university financial compliance. You are the “connective tissue” that ensures our researchers can focus on what they do best, while you ensure the infrastructure behind them is robust, ethical, and efficient.

As a key member of the RKE department, you will thrive if you enjoy a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. We are looking for someone who can speak the language of finance and data just as fluently as they can navigate a creative studio or a research lab. You will be joining a team that values Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion as a core principle, not just a policy.

If you have a Bachelor’s degree, a background in research administration, and a desire to work for an institution that is literally redefining the future of the global fashion industry, we want to hear from you. Apply today to help LCF maintain its position as a global leader in creative research and knowledge exchange.

Expert Guide: Finalizing Your 2026 Academic Research Analysis

This role completes your profile of the 2026 Higher Education market in both London and Manchester. To help you synthesize this data, consider these three concluding perspectives:

The “Creative vs. Business” HE Comparison: A look at how administrative roles at UAL (Fashion) differ from lecturing roles at UCLan (Business).
London Weighting & Salary Realities: A summary of how 2026 London-based administrative salaries compare against Manchester-based professional roles in your list.

The “RKE” Career Path: A checklist of the skills needed to transition from general administration into specialized Research and Knowledge Exchange careers.

University of the Arts London (UAL): Shaping Global Creativity

University of the Arts London (UAL) is a world-leading creative powerhouse, consistently ranked 2nd in the world for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings). Operating as a federation of six globally renowned colleges and multiple specialized institutes, UAL serves as the central nervous system for London’s creative industries. It is an institution where centuries of heritage—dating back to 1842—meet cutting-edge innovation in digital media, sustainable fashion, and creative computing.

The culture at UAL is defined by disruptive thinking, social purpose, and individuality. It is a sprawling, high-energy community of over 23,000 students from 130 countries, where “making” is a form of research. The environment is intensely collaborative and experimental, characterized by a commitment to anti-racism, climate action, and social justice. Students are encouraged to use their creative practice to tackle global challenges, supported by a faculty of active practitioners who bridge the gap between the studio and the professional world.

The Six Renowned Colleges

College	Primary Focus	Key Location
Central Saint Martins (CSM)	Arts, Design, & Performance	King’s Cross
London College of Fashion (LCF)	Fashion Design, Business, & Media	Stratford (East Bank)
London College of Communication (LCC)	Media, Design, & Screen	Elephant & Castle
Chelsea College of Arts	Fine Art, Design, & Curation	Millbank (Pimlico)
Camberwell College of Arts	Fine Art, Illustration, & Graphic Design	Peckham
Wimbledon College of Arts	Performance & Design for Stage/Screen	Wimbledon

Key University Highlights

Global Influence: UAL has produced over half of all Turner Prize winners and nominees, along with countless leaders in luxury fashion and Oscar-winning film production.
Creative Computing Institute (CCI): A dedicated hub exploring the intersection of computer science and creative practice, focusing on AI, data science, and creative robotics.
Social Purpose & Strategy: The “UAL Strategy 2022–2032” aims to transform creative education, focusing on sustainability and becoming an anti-racist institution.
Industry Integration: 96% of graduates are in further study or employment within six months, bolstered by deep links to London’s galleries, fashion houses, and tech firms.
Recent Accolades: Named Arts University of the Year 2026 by the Daily Mail University Guide, recognizing its excellence in teaching and student outcomes.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.arts.ac.uk.