Job Summary
Full Time (37hrs per week) - Permanent - High Wycombe
Salary: £58,225 - £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 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.
We are seeking a strategic and dynamic individual to lead a key division of our Academic Registry. As Head of Registry Operations and a member of Academic Registry's Senior Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective delivery of academic administration across the student lifecycle with a particular focus on processes post-enrolment through to course completion including module bookings, assessments and examinations, mitigating circumstances, marking and moderation, Boards of Examinations meetings, progression and resit management, results notifications, awards and graduation ceremonies.
What We Offer
* 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 at 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 to Jon Lees 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: 5 January 2026
Interview Date: w/c 19 January 2026
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. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.
Job Description
Job Title: Head of Registry Operations
Faculty/Directorate: Academic Registry
Grade: I
Location: High Wycombe
Hours: Full-Time
Responsible to: Academic Registrar
Responsible for: a team of c.45.0 FTE with the following direct reports: 5.0 FTE Senior Registry Officers (Student & Course Administration and Awards & Ceremonies)
Job Purpose: The postholder manages and provides leadership to their allocated Section of the Academic Registry, ensuring they achieve their objectives to support the Department’s strategy whilst providing an excellent customer experience. They will act as the institutional expert and recognised authority on matters and issues within the University relating to their allocated Section, and they will actively contribute to, and assist with, the strategic development of the Academic Registry
Registry Operations Covers Two Broad Areas
* Student & Course Administration includes the following activities: i) student and assessment data; ii) attendance and engagement; iii) examination and assessment boards; iv) student/academic enquiries; v) mitigating circumstances; vi) RPEL; vii) School business partnership; viii) Schools administration support.
* Awards & Ceremonies includes the following activities: i) graduation and award ceremonies; ii) award verifications; iii) certificate and transcript production.
The postholder will practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.
Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Role
* Deliver to the clients of the Academic Registry, including where appropriate colleagues within the Academic Registry, an effective and efficient service in accordance with objectives set for the Student & Course Administration and Awards and Ceremonies Sections by the Academic Registrar.
* Be a provider of expert advice, informing, influencing, and making operational decisions within the University through: clear and innovative leadership and management; effective management of significant change and risk; engaging in national debate relevant to the postholder’s allocated Section; ensuring University compliance in relation to the postholder’s allocated Section; leading the development and operation of relevant policy, process, procedures and systems, and ensuring their continuous improvement; ensuring success in external audits and reviews; actively engaging with University and partner staff to disseminate and embed relevant good practice; provide oversight and authoritative advice for senior managers, and to University Committees, on all matters related to the postholder’s remit; undertaking effective risk management of the postholder’s allocated Section; providing informative reports on issues and matters related to the postholder’s remit to senior managers; pro‑actively seek improvements to the service of the allocated Section and pro‑actively develop the activity of the allocated Section, in‑line with the overall Academic Registry strategy of which the postholder will actively contribute to and assist with.
* With the other Section Heads, and under the direction of the Academic Registrar, ensure that activities are comprehensively joined up between the five sections of the Academic Registry, with optimum communication flow, and effective and efficient working.
* Act for the Academic Registrar as a Programme Manager for designated projects and programmes, working with colleagues across the University to ensure deliverables are achieved and success maximised in a mutually beneficial way.
* 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, where relevant to the postholder’s remit.
* Research, write and present policies at an institution level. Operationalise such policy with an understanding of the complexities of doing so and take due regard of this.
* Carry out horizon scanning, implementing changes to strategic direction/policy/procedure as appropriate.
* Ensure the effective use and optimisation of the student records system and related systems within the postholder’s remit, working closely with the Digital & Technical Services Directorate to deliver improvements that enhance efficiency and service quality.
* Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety, and wellbeing.
* Supervisory duties including motivating and supporting team members, giving direction and feedback, and ensuring adequate staffing cover.
* Determine resource requirements for the Section and agree their allocation with the Academic Registrar through the Academic Registry’s Senior Management Team, subject to the constraints of the Academic Registry budget.
* Engage other Sections, and the wider University as necessary, in the organisation of graduation ceremonies, and to ensure the participation of the postholder’s own Section, as necessary, in Academic Registry wide services such as registration/enrolment activities etc.
* Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
* Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
A = Application, T = Test, I = Interview
Education, Qualifications & Training
Means of Testing
Degree or Equivalent A
Post-graduate qualification or professional equivalent A
Knowledge & Experience
* Delivering an excellent customer experience A, I
* Expert knowledge of student and academic administration related policy, perspectives and processes for UK Higher Education A, I
* Significant leadership experience gained in a student and academic administration 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 and Business Continuity 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
Skills
* 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
* Events management skills A, I
* Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools A, I
Special Requirements
* 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
BBF (Top 3 key behavioural categories most applicable to the role)
Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long‑term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.
Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
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