Head of Systems & Courses

University of East London

Founded in 1898, we at the University of East London (UEL) are proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About Us

Academic Registry sits at the operational and strategic heart of the University, delivering the critical services, systems and governance that support every student from enrolment through to graduation.

Our teams provide the foundations that enable excellent student experiences, academic quality and institutional success. Working collaboratively across the University, we support academic delivery through robust student records, course management, assessments, school registry, timetabling, partnerships, postgraduate research and regulatory compliance.

As UEL continues to modernise its digital estate and transform the way student administration is delivered, Academic Registry is playing a leading role in redesigning processes, improving data quality and developing smarter, more integrated systems that better support students and colleagues.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Academic Registry Senior Management Team and influence one of the University's most significant areas of operational and strategic development.

About the Job

As Head of Systems & Courses, you will lead the University's approach to student records systems, course administration and business process improvement, ensuring that our systems, data and services evolve to meet the changing needs of students, staff and the wider higher education sector.

Reporting to the Deputy Academic Registrar, you will provide leadership across the Systems and Courses teams while working collaboratively with colleagues across Academic Registry, Strategic Planning, IT Services, Finance, Academic Schools and Professional Services.

You will play a pivotal role in delivering institution-wide change by transforming how student information is managed throughout the student lifecycle from course creation and enrolment through assessment, progression and award.

This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, lead complex projects and embed innovative approaches that improve operational effectiveness, strengthen compliance and enhance the student experience.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic leadership for UEL's student records systems and course administration functions.
• Leading the continuous development and optimisation of business processes across the student lifecycle.
• Delivering complex systems and business change projects in partnership with IT Services and key institutional stakeholders.
• Driving improvements in data quality, governance and statutory reporting to support institutional decision-making and regulatory compliance.
• Leading and developing specialist teams, creating a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Representing Academic Registry across University committees, projects and external sector networks, bringing insight and best practice back into the organisation.

About You

We are looking for an experienced higher education professional who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence.

You will understand that effective student records systems are about far more than technology—they are fundamental to delivering an outstanding student experience, enabling institutional success and supporting confident decision-making through high-quality data.

You will be comfortable leading organisational change, building trusted relationships - sometimes across some complex University Departments and translating strategic ambitions into practical, sustainable improvements.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading student records systems, course administration or academic registry services within higher education.
• Extensive knowledge of student lifecycle administration, regulatory compliance and sector requirements including HESA and Student Loans Company returns.
• A successful track record of delivering systems enhancements, digital transformation or business process improvement programmes.
• Experience of using data and insight to improve services, strengthen governance and support strategic decision-making.
• Outstanding leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop and empower high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing colleagues at all organisational levels.
• The confidence to lead through change while balancing operational priorities with long-term strategic objectives.

Most importantly, you will be someone who enjoys solving complex challenges, embraces innovation and is passionate about improving services that make a genuine difference to students and colleagues.

If you are looking for an opportunity where you can shape institutional change, influence strategic direction and lead with confidence, we look forward to hearing from.

Benefits Package

Here at UEL we understand it’s about more than just a salary. It’s about the entire package on offer along with our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We know the market rates for this vacancy and will offer a genuinely competitive salary DOE.

We care deeply about your wellbeing and our benefits includes: 20% pension (4% from you, 16% from us), 25 days holiday (plus 3 days over Christmas) plus bank holidays, hybrid working for most positions, and we’re always open to consider flexible working arrangements. We have a subsidised gym membership, 3 times base salary life assurance, a cashback healthcare scheme and wide variety of other generous benefits including discounts on: Apple and Samsung products, holidays, clothing, fitness, lifestyle, dining out and weekly shopping.

Equal Opportunities 

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the "diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive. 

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and commit to success, we want you to apply today!

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.