Overview
Post Title: Director of Academic Quality
SBU/Department: Office of the Vice-Chancellor (OVC)
FTE: 1.0FTE
Duration of Contract: Permanent
Salary: AM4 £85,320 with potential to progress to £92,545 by annual increments and on achieving designated skills and experience
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, De Havilland Campus, 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 in our Schools 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. Apply now and be part of our exciting journey.
Note: This description reflects the current expectations and may be subject to change in line with the university’s strategic priorities.
Main 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 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
* 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 will also be culturally aware, have a positive and can-do attitude and a commitment to equality and equity for both students and staff.
Qualifications
* 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).
Application and contact
Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.
Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Dr Charmagne Barnes, c.barnes@herts.ac.uk
Dates and reference
Closing Date: 4 January 2026
Interview Date: 15 January 2026
Reference Number: REQ000458
Date advert placed: 4 December 2025
Diversity and inclusion
The University offers every individual the opportunity to succeed. We want our staff to represent diverse life experiences and different cultural heritage. We recognise that the field is not ‘level’ and want to actively address barriers to progression. We also challenge stereotypes through stimulating discussions on sensitive topics and partner with networks both within and outside of the University to enhance inclusivity in the workplace. We wholeheartedly encourage and welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds who are currently under-represented within our SBU. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts
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