Interim Head of Quality Assurance (1987)
Interim Head of Quality Assurance
Full Time –Fixed Term Contract (24 Months) – High Wycombe
Salary - £57,225 - £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.
Academic Registry – Senior Leadership Team
We are seeking an exceptional leader to join the Academic Registry’s Senior Leadership Team as Interim Head of Quality. This is a pivotal role in shaping and safeguarding the academic integrity of the University’s programmes, awards, and overall student experience. This interim opportunity has arisen due to the internal secondment of the permanent postholder.
About the Role
As the institutional expert for your allocated Section within the Academic Registry, you will act as the recognised authority on all matters relating to academic quality, contributing to the effective delivery of the University’s quality management and academic regulatory framework. You will ensure that all quality assurance approaches are maintained, reviewed, and developed in line with national expectations and external agency requirements.
You will lead your Section to deliver agile, customer-focused services that support the University’s strategic objectives. Central to the role is ensuring high-quality user experience and effective engagement with stakeholders across the institution and beyond.
The Quality Assurance Section includes responsibility for:
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Programme Approval
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Programme Monitoring, Review and Enhancement
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Programme/Module Amendments
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Accreditations and External Reviews
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External Examining
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Academic Framework and Regulations
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Academic Registry policies, processes and associated casework
About You
You will be an experienced quality professional with deep knowledge of higher education regulation and a strong track record in leading quality assurance or academic governance functions. You will be an effective communicator, a strategic thinker, and someone who thrives on collaboration and influence.
As a member of the Academic Registry’s Senior Leadership Team, as Head of Quality you will provide expert leadership to ensure that quality assurance requirements, academic standards and quality processes are maintained, reviewed and developed in line with national standards in line with external agency requirements.
You will promote academic standards of University awards and the quality of the student experience across all the University's provision, within the quality management and academic regulatory framework.
You will ensure the delivery of agile and user-focussed services, aligned to the University's strategic objectives and internal and external regulatory requirements, and providing oversight and direction to members of Academic Registry and other stakeholders.
What we offer:
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a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
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hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
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training & development support opportunities
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contributory pension scheme
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discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
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a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
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, Academic Registrar 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 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: Monday 23rd February 2026
Interview Date: Friday 6th March 2026 (TBC)
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 Quality Assurance
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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.5.5 FTE with the following direct reports:
1.0 FTE Senior Registry Officer (Regulations, Policy and Casework) |
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Job Purpose:
The postholder provides expert leadership and strategic oversight for the University’s quality assurance requirements, academic standards, and associated policies and processes, ensuring they are maintained, reviewed, and developed in line with national expectations and external agency requirements. They will act as the institutional expert and recognised authority on matters relating to their allocated Section within the Academic Registry, contributing to the effective delivery of the University’s quality management and academic regulatory framework.
The postholder will lead their allocated Section to deliver agile, customer‑focused services that support the University’s strategic objectives, ensuring excellent user experience and effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders. The Quality Assurance Section of the Academic Registry includes the following activities: (i) Programme Approval; (ii) Programme Monitoring, Review and Enhancement; (iii) Programme/Module Amendments; (iv) Accreditations and External Reviews; (v) External Examining; (vi) Academic Framework and Regulations; (vii) Academic Registry policies and associated processes and casework.
The postholder will champion and practice an inclusive approach, supporting the development of an inclusive university community where people feel valued, respected, and able to 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 Quality Assurance Section.
2. Drive improvements to the services within allocated Section, 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 quality assurance related policy, perspectives and processes for UK Higher Education |
A, I |
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Significant leadership experience gained in a quality assurance 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 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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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 |
BBF (Top 3 key behavioural categories most applicable to the role)
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Delivering excellent service |
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Embracing change |
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Using resources effectively |
