The former Millwall manager told Sky Sports News: "That's the only reason I'm here. The chairman thinks we have a decent chance and if we can make some improvements, maybe improvements to the squad, that's where our ambitions lie.
"It's an opportunity for me to get on. Working in the first division is the minimum level I'd like to work at, and the short way of doing that is to get Brighton promoted."
He also insisted that the situation surrounding the club's ground, which was a factor in his predecessor Steve Coppell's decision to leave, was not of great concern to him.
"It's not a worry in the short-term," he added.
"It's nice to have a fancy big stadium, but in the long-term I'm concerned about the working environment, getting on with the job and establishing ourselves in Division One."
"It's an opportunity for me to get on. Working in the first division is the minimum level I'd like to work at, and the short way of doing that is to get Brighton promoted."
He also insisted that the situation surrounding the club's ground, which was a factor in his predecessor Steve Coppell's decision to leave, was not of great concern to him.
"It's not a worry in the short-term," he added.
"It's nice to have a fancy big stadium, but in the long-term I'm concerned about the working environment, getting on with the job and establishing ourselves in Division One."