Academic jobs in United Kingdom

Location: High Wycombe

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Salary Range: £58,225 - £67,468

Hours per week: 37

Closing Date: 23/02/2026

Ref No: 1987

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 are at the heart of all that we do: dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering. They guide our commitment to providing the best experience for learners and excellent service to partners and colleagues.

We are seeking an outstanding leader to join the Academic Registry Senior Leadership Team as Interim Head of Quality. This pivotal role safeguards the academic integrity of the University's programmes, awards and overall student experience and has arisen due to an internal secondment.

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. You will ensure that all quality assurance approaches are maintained, reviewed and developed in line with national expectations and external agency requirements, and that the Section delivers agile, customer‑focused services that support the University's strategic objectives.

• Programme Approval
• Programme Monitoring, Review and Enhancement
• Programme/Module Amendments
• Accreditations and External Reviews
• External Examining
• Academic Framework and Regulations
• Academic Registry policies, processes and associated casework

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 Senior Leadership Team, 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 and external agency requirements.

You will promote academic standards of University awards and the quality of the student experience across all the University's provision, while providing oversight and direction to members of Academic Registry and other stakeholders.

• 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, Academic Registrar.

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, including people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities and LGBTQI+ people, especially in 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.

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.

Head of Quality Assurance

Academic Registry

I

High Wycombe

Full-Time

Academic Registrar

A team of c.5.5 FTE with the following direct reports:
1.0 FTE Senior Registry Officer (Regulations, Policy and Casework)
2.0 FTE Registry Officers (Quality Assurance)

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: Programme Approval; Programme Monitoring, Review and Enhancement; Programme/Module Amendments; Accreditations and External Reviews; External Examining; Academic Framework and Regulations; 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.

• 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.
• Drive improvements to the services within allocated Section, contributing actively to the delivery of the Academic Registry strategy.
• Ensure integrated working across the five sections of the Academic Registry, promoting effective communication, data flows, and efficient operations.
• Act for the Academic Registrar as Programme Manager for designated projects and programmes, ensuring deliverables are achieved and benefits maximised across the University.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Officers Group to maximise capability, data quality and process efficiency and that the University is utilising systems to support regulatory compliance and service excellence.
• 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.
• Manage Section resources, determine requirements and agree allocations with the Academic Registrar through the Academic Registry Senior Leadership Team, within budget constraints.
• 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.
• Ensure the participation of the Section in Academic Registry-wide services, including graduation ceremonies and registration/enrolment activities, as required.
• Undertake other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

Degree or Equivalent – A
Post-graduate qualification or professional equivalent – A

Delivering an excellent customer experience – A, I
Expert knowledge of quality assurance related policy, perspectives and processes for UK Higher Education – A, I
Significant leadership experience gained in a quality assurance section, or equivalent, in UK Higher Education – A, I Expert knowledge of own field and how it inter-relates to other areas of the business – A, I
Line Management experience – A, I
Crisis Management experience – A, I
Experience of developing innovative solutions and contributing to strategic planning – A, I
Experience of leading complex change projects or programmes – A, I

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 Risk management skills – A, I
Excellent communication skills – A, I
The ability to think and operate at a strategic level – A, I The ability to persuade and influence others at a senior level – A, I Proven people management and development skills – A, I Proven ability to set and achieve appropriate strategic targets – A, I Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools – A, I

Commitment to the values of the University – A, I
Customer focus and the desire to deliver a high quality service – A, I Commitment to continuing professional development – A, I An appreciation of the academic environment – A, I

• Delivering excellent service
• Embracing change
• Using resources effectively