Director of Academic Quality

Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: Maclaurin Building, Hatfield

We are recruiting for a Director of Academic Quality to provide strategic direction and leadership for all aspects of academic quality across the university. This is a key role, based within the Office of the Vice-Chancellor (OVC) and reporting directly to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience). You'll collaborate closely with members of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive, as well as colleagues in the Centre for Education and Student Success (CEdSS) and academic staff across the University. 

As Director of Academic Quality, you will lead and manage a risk-based, enhancement-led service including the programme Continuous Enhancement Planning process, using best practice approaches, systems, and structures, to ensure that the University is compliant with external quality assurance requirements and other relevant professional and regulatory frameworks in all areas of its taught provision.

You'll be joining us at an exhilarating time as we embark on our new Strategic Plan for 2025-30. Enjoy the flexibility of our working location principles, with the expectation of spending at least 2-3 days a week on our vibrant Hatfield campus, or as business needs demand. This role provides a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact and advance your career with us.  

Main duties and responsibilities 

You will take responsibility for the development of institutional strategy, policies, regulations and procedures for academic quality assurance and enhancement, with an emphasis on the enhancement of the student experience. Ensuring that all academic policies and procedures align with and meet the conditions of registration set by the Office for Students (OfS), and other and regulatory frameworks and bodies.

You will manage the academic quality team within the Centre for Education and Student Success (CEdSS), including recruitment, performance and development, to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. You will also promote a culture of enhancement and the dissemination of good practice across Schools, seeking to develop a responsive and flexible approach to academic quality assurance.

You will also be aware of the external quality assurance and compliance landscape and influence national policy and practice, through horizon-scanning, sector benchmarking and engagement with national bodies and other HEIs.

Skills and experience required

You will have extensive experience of working in a leadership and managerial role within an academic environment, and experience of developing and operating quality assurance systems in Higher Education. You will have experience of module and programme leadership and chairing programme validation, revalidation and/or other periodic review events. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and an ability to build successful working relationships across the University and externally. You be committed to equality and equity for both students and staff.

Qualifications required

You will be educated to degree level, both undergraduate and postgraduate (or equivalent Level 6 and Level 7 qualifications), and have Senior Fellowship of Advance HE (or the ability to achieve this within six months).

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Dr Charmagne Barnes, c.barnes@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 4 January 2026 

Interview Date: 15 January 2026 

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