Head of Registry Operations (1894)
Head of Registry Operations
Full Time (37hrs per week) –Permanent – High Wycombe
Salary - £58,225 - £67,468 per annum
Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.
Our University’s DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated leader to join our Academic Registry team. As a senior manager within the department, you will lead one of our key operational Sections, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, customer‑focused services that support the University’s strategic objectives. You will act as the institutional expert in your specialist area, providing authoritative advice and guidance, and playing an active role in shaping the ongoing development of the Academic Registry.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is committed to enhancing the student and staff experience through effective, efficient and responsive services.
Registry Operations includes leadership responsibility for two core areas:
- Student and assessment data
- Attendance and engagement monitoring
- Examination and assessment boards
- Student and academic enquiries
- Mitigating circumstances
- Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
- Graduation and award ceremonies
- Award verifications
- Certificate and transcript production
What we offer:
- a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- training & development support opportunities
- contributory pension scheme
- discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
- a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Jon Lees at jon.lees@bnu.ac.uk
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to Jon Lees if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
Closing Date: 25th February 2026
Interview Date: 20th March 2026
If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
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Job Title: Head of Registry Operations
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Faculty/Directorate: Academic Registry
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Grade: I |
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Location: High Wycombe
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Hours: Full-Time |
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Responsible to: Academic Registrar
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Responsible for: a team of c.45.0 FTE with the following direct reports: 5.0 FTE Senior Registry Officers (Student & Course Administration and Awards & Ceremonies);
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Job Purpose: The postholder manages and provides leadership to their allocated Section of the Academic Registry, ensuring they achieve their objectives to support the Department’s strategy whilst providing an excellent customer experience. They will act as the institutional expert and recognised authority on matters and issues within the University relating to their allocated Section, and they will actively contribute to, and assist with, the strategic development of the Academic Registry. As Head of Registry Operations, you will lead two broad areas: Student & Course Administration includes the following activities: i) student course and assessment data; ii) attendance and engagement monitoring and case management; iii) examination and assessment boards; iv) frontline support for students and academic course teams; v) mitigating circumstances; vi) Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL); v) criminal convictions; vi) Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) processing. Awards & Ceremonies includes the following activities: i) graduation and award ceremonies; ii) award verifications; iii) certificate and transcript production.
The postholder will practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.
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Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:
1. Deliver an effective and efficient service to the clients of the Academic Registry, including where appropriate colleagues within the Academic Registry, in accordance with objectives set for the Student & Course Administration and Awards and Ceremonies Sections by the Academic Registrar.
2. Drive improvements to the services within allocated Section, leading change, and contributing actively to the delivery of the Academic Registry strategy.
3. Ensure integrated working across the five sections of the Academic Registry, promoting effective communication, data flows, and efficient operations.
4. Act for the Academic Registrar as Programme Manager for designated projects and programmes, ensuring deliverables are achieved and benefits maximised across the University.
5. Act for the Academic Registrar and take the lead in organising and responding to the Office of Students’, and other relevant bodies’, initiatives, developments, and audits, within the postholder’s remit.
6. Lead institutional policy and regulatory development by researching, drafting, presenting, operationalising and continuously improving regulations, policies and procedures, and providing authoritative advice to academic, partner and professional colleagues.
7. Undertake horizon scanning, monitor changes to national regulatory frameworks, and recommend and implement institutional responses to strategic direction/policy/procedure as appropriate. Engage in national debate relevant to the postholder’s allocated Section.
8. Act as business owner for the development of the student records system and other relevant systems within the postholder’s remit. Work with the Chief Information Officer’s Group to maximise capability, data quality and process efficiency and that the University is utilising systems to support regulatory compliance and service excellence.
9. Provide clear and innovative leadership to designated teams, including recruitment, objective‑setting, coaching, performance management, and fostering a supportive environment that promotes wellbeing, customer service excellence and continuous improvement.
10. Manage Section resources, determine requirements and agree allocations with the Academic Registrar through the Academic Registry’s Senior Leadership Team, within budget constraints.
11. Ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements (including Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, Health and Safety, UKVI, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Consumer Rights Act/Competition and Markets Authority) and maintain effective risk management escalation within remit.
12. Ensure the participation of the Section in Academic Registry-wide services, including graduation ceremonies and registration/enrolment activities, as required.
13. Undertake other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
A = Application T = Test I = Interview
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Education, Qualifications & Training |
Means of Testing |
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Degree or Equivalent |
A |
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Post-graduate qualification or professional equivalent |
A |
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Knowledge & Experience |
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Delivering an excellent customer experience |
A, I |
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Expert knowledge of student and academic administration related policy, perspectives and processes for UK Higher Education |
A, I |
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Significant leadership experience gained in a student and academic administration section, or equivalent, in UK Higher Education |
A, I |
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Expert knowledge of own field and how it inter-relates to other areas of the business |
A, I |
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Line Management experience |
A, I |
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Crisis Management and Business Continuity Management experience |
A, I |
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Experience of developing innovative solutions and contributing to strategic planning |
A, I |
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Experience of leading complex change projects or programmes |
A, I |
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Skills |
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Excellent management skills in meeting objectives and dealing with people at all levels in a UK Higher Education institution and/or international equivalents |
A, I |
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Risk management skills |
A, I |
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Excellent communication skills |
A, I |
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The ability to think and operate at a strategic level |
A, I |
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The ability to persuade and influence others at a senior level |
A, I |
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Proven people management and development skills |
A, I |
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Proven ability to set and achieve appropriate strategic targets |
A, I |
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Events management skills |
A, I |
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Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools |
A, I |
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Special Requirements |
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Commitment to the values of the University |
A, I |
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Customer focus and the desire to deliver a high quality service |
A, I |
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Commitment to continuing professional development |
A, I |
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An appreciation of the academic environment |
A, I |
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Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine |
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Embracing change Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting |
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Using resources effectively Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets. |
