Job Description

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract

Salary Range

57,422- 66,537

Hours per week

11.1

Closing Date

09/07/2025

Ref No

1808

Part Time 0.3 FTE (11.1 hours per week) - Fixed term contract (6 months) -

High Wycombe

Salary - 57,422 - 66,537

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 and 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 encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.



This is an exciting time to join BNU. The Head of Quality Improvement Planning (Partners) will ensure robust institutional oversight and coordination of continuous quality improvement for partnerships. Working closely with senior academic leaders and senior professional service employees, they will lead on providing assurance of quality compliance against the regulatory framework.



The post holder will have a track record of implementing robust improvement plans and conducting improvement partner visits that bring about desired and necessary improvements against the Office for Students' Regulatory Framework.

What we offer:

a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days) Hybrid working (dependant 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

Sarah Williams on

Sarah.williams2@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. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.



We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU'S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

Closing Date:

9 July 2025

Interview Date: 11 July 2025

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 Quality Improvement Planning (Partners)

Directorate:

External Collaborations

Grade:

I

Location:

High Wycombe

Hours:

11.1 hours per week

Responsible to:

PVC External Collaborations

Responsible for:

N/A

Job Purpose:

The Head of Quality Improvement Planning (Partners) will lead on ensuring institutional oversight and coordination of continuous quality improvement for partnerships. They will work with senior leaders, governors at BNU partnerships, and key stakeholders to design and implement effective and impactful continuous improvement and to implement rapid improvement interventions following identification of concerns. To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.

Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:

1. Evaluate how partners' leaders, including governance, are improving and sustaining performance in areas of identified concern, aligned to the OfS Conditions of Registration.

2. Provide assurances to BNU regarding a provider's compliance with the OfS Conditions of Registration.

3. Identify quickly where the provider is improving or not, in relation to the OfS Conditions of Registration.

4. Track a provider's process in relation to their Prioritised Improvement Plan (PIP) and provide support and challenge in the development of the PIP.

5. Support the provider by providing recognition and assurance of aspects that are being addressed effectively, but also where aspects still need to improve

6. Establish and maintain a constructive, professional relationship between the provider and BNU.

7. Ensure that there is a robust monitoring process for providers where performance is below expected standards.

8. Conduct improvement partner visits with a primary focus on B1, and B2 as a catalyst for B3, consider a full range of evidence including quality of teaching and learning, quality of academic support, learning resources, sufficiency of staffing.

9. Provide evidence that academic leaders and governors understand key issues, what needs to be done, and with evidence that actions are in place which are leading to the necessary improvements.

10. 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.

11. Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential Criteria Only

A = Application T = Test I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

Professorial, doctoral or equivalent professional qualifications in quality assurance and enhancement


A

Knowledge & Experience

Delivering an excellent customer experience


A/I


Experience of academic leadership, quality enhancement and improvement planning that leads to improved outcomes (e.g., leadership, management and governance, student outcomes)


A/I


Experience of implementing robust improvement planning that leads to desired improvements


A/I


Experience of reporting to senior leaders on the management and governance of partnerships


A/I


Extensive experience of driving rapid improvement in relation to regulatory frameworks


A/I


Adept at building constructive relationships with senior leaders and governors, ensuring accountability and ownership is in place to address quality concerns


A/I

Skills

Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools


A/I


Adept at project management and continuous monitoring


I


Adept at rapid diagnosis and problem solving to address root causes of poor quality or excellent practice


I


Highly skilled at conducting improvement partner visits and institutional inspections that evidence quality assurance and improvement in leadership, management and governance


I


Verbal and non-verbal communication and influencing skills internally and externally at all levels of the organisation


I

Special Requirements

Will be required to travel across partner campuses with occasion evening events/conferences


I

Behavioural INDICATORS

The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University.

The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:

Finding solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Working together

Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving results

Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.