Head of External Reporting & Data Quality

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our Registry and Academic Quality Enhancement Directorate as Head of External Reporting and Data Quality, leading a critical function that underpins statutory reporting, funding, and high-quality student data.

In this key leadership role, you will take overall responsibility for the preparation, validation and submission of student record-related external returns, including HESA and other statutory data collections. You will ensure that reporting is accurate, timely, and aligned to evolving regulatory and funding requirements while strengthening institutional confidence in our data.

You will lead and develop a specialist team, providing strategic oversight of data quality initiatives and driving improvements across the University. This includes developing robust reporting frameworks, enhancing data definitions, and implementing governance models that support consistency, reduce risk, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across Schools and Professional Services, you will act as a trusted expert, influencing change and embedding best practice in data management. You will also contribute to sector discussions, ensuring the University remains well positioned to respond to emerging national developments.

We are looking for a candidate with significant experience in a management information or data quality leadership role within higher education, with strong analytical capability and a deep understanding of statutory returns and funding methodologies. You will bring a track record of leading teams, delivering change, and translating complex data into clear insight and guidance for a wide range of stakeholders.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a leading role in shaping how the University manages, interprets and uses its student data to support decision-making, compliance and student success.

To arrange an informal discussion about this post, please contact Lee Jones at l.g.jones@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

Closing date: Monday 27^th July 2026 (23:59) Please note that you will not be able to edit or submit a part-completed application form after the closing date. 

For more information and to apply please visit: tinyurl.com/59kpmxht

Working here means you’ll have access to a wide range of benefits including our generous pension schemes, excellent holiday entitlements, flexible working, reduced study fees, subsidised fitness facilities and a lot more.

We welcome applications from all individuals and particularly from black and minority ethnic candidates as members of these groups are currently under-represented at this level of post. All appointments will be based on merit.

Leeds Beckett University is a Disability Confident Employer. Disabled candidates who demonstrate all essential criteria within the Person Specification will be invited to an interview.

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