Last updated: / 15 December 2016

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post title: / Head of Quality, Standards and Accreditation and Assistant Director
Academic Unit/Service: / Student and Academic Administration (SAA)
Faculty: / n/a
Career Pathway: / Management, Specialist and Administrative (MSA) / Level: / 6
*ERE category: / n/a
Posts responsible to: / Academic Registrar
Posts responsible for: / 1 x Quality, Standards & Accreditation Advisers
1 x Collaborative Provision Adviser
1 x Head of Student Complaints & Appeals
2 x Faculty Academic Registrars
Post base: / Office-based
Job purpose
The Head of Quality, Standards and Accreditation and Assistant Director undertakes a senior management role, responsible for leading the key area of Quality, Standards and Accreditation within Student and Academic Administration (SAA). Working closely with peers and colleagues, they lead the provision of high quality services, continually enhancing processes and practices to ensure SAA provides a service, which is forward looking, responsive, innovative and maintains excellent standards of compliance and good practice in order to meet targets, operational objectives and strategic priorities. They will be required to demonstrate a high level of professional credibility, underpinned by genuine expertise, with the ability to command respect and influence at a senior level across the University and external professional networks.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities / % Time
To line manage and provide professional leadership to staff in the Quality, Standards and Accreditation Team and two Faculty Academic Registrars. This will involve developing them, managing and raising their performance, focusing them on delivery of objectives and on providing excellent customer service. Provide advice and guidance on new developments, significant staffing and structural issues and on budgetary matters. / 10%
Be the source of expertise on policy matters within own portfolio of work, and develop knowledge and expertise across all areas of Student and Academic Administration (SAA) to effectively deputise for the Academic Registrar when necessary and support colleagues across the Directorate. / 5%
Support the Academic Registrar in the preparation, implementation and updating of the Student and Academic Administration Strategic Plan, and in monitoring achievement against the plan. Identify and assess risks, which impacts on the delivery of key objectives and take steps to mitigate and manage such risks. / 5%
Working with the Vice President (Education) and the Academic Registrar, to play a lead role to shape the University’s Quality, Monitoring and Enhancement (QME) framework. Adopting best practice approaches, systems and structures to ensure that the University is compliant with quality assurance, legal and regulatory frameworks,and provide a high quality student and academic experience in all areas of its provision (including partnerships), promoting quality assurance, enhancement and excellence. / 10%
To develop and maintain an integrated and consistent approach to quality management across the University, liaising with and providing professional advice and guidance to colleagues in faculties and academic units to ensure a co-ordinated approach to education policy, academic standards, quality assurance and quality enhancement. / 10%
To develop effective operational plans for the delivery of the University Quality, Monitoring and Enhancement framework and the processes, translating strategic priorities into practical plans and outputs and managing the implementation of the plans to deliver a high performing, customer- focused service, which balances the competing priorities of different stakeholders to ensure business objectives can be met within regulatory parameters. / 10%
To assess and continuously improve the University’s policies, regulations and procedures governing quality management, in light of national and international developments and of best practice across the sector, demonstrating a high degree of responsiveness and flexibility in finding innovative and progressive approaches and solutions. Ensure the monitoring and maintenance of key quality management processes. / 10%
To lead and manage preparations for internal and external reviews, such as UK and overseas Quality Assurance Agency audits and reviews, acting as the lead officer for the Quality Assurance Agency and support the development of institutional responses to new educational initiatives in the Higher Education sector. / 10%
To be responsible for the review and development of the University’s Quality Handbook and for the quality and accuracy of programme information. / 5%
To have oversight of the processes for responding to and monitoring student complaints and appeals, reviewing and revising. / 5%
To work with the key University Committees responsible for quality and standards, producing and presentingreports and briefing papers. / 5%
To influence and keep in touch with relevant national developments; representing the University externally and taking an active role in professional and national networks; providing the University of Southampton a voice in debates about the development of national policy and guidelines and disseminating the University’s reputation as an exemplar of best practice. Ensure issues and opportunities impacting on the development of quality assurance for the University are identified, discussed across and beyond the Directorate as appropriate, and addressed through appropriate and timely action. / 5%
To ensure that a regular programme of training and updating in different areas of policy and practice is available for colleagues across the University, including SAA staff. This may include providing executive briefings to senior University staff, developing comprehensive policy guidance and delivering practical training. / 5%
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post holder. / 5%
Internal and external relationships
  • University and departmental senior management, including the Vice President (Education), Faculty Associate Deans (Education and the Student Experience), Head of Faculty Operations, Directors Professional Services.
  • Other members of the SAA Directorate and University staff, including close working with Faculty Academic Registrars and Faculty Curriculum and Quality Assurance Teams, Registry Managers and other Professional Service Managers.
  • Key University committees relevant to the functional responsibilities.
  • External customers.
  • Relevant suppliers and external contacts.

Special Requirements
Able to undertake duties at difference premises including any University campus as required.
May be required to work outside normal office hours to support University operations and events.
National and international travel may be required from time to time to attend conference and events, and effectively represent the University in key professional networks.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How to be assessed
Qualifications, knowledge and experience / Skill level equivalent to achievement of a professional qualification or postgraduate degree.
Significant experience and proven track record in strategic leadership in quality assurance and quality enhancement.
Proven experience of managing significant change.
In-depth knowledge of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) UK Quality Code for Higher Education and wider, external quality debate in higher education.
Excellent knowledge and understanding of higher education challenges, policy issues and their implications.
Substantial leadership and management experience in higher education, including demonstrable experience in performance management. / Membership of relevant professional body.
PRINCE2 or similar project management qualification.
Significant experience of leading a Quality Assurance Agency Higher Education Review/Institutional Review.
Experience of working at a strategic level with collaborative partnership organisations. / Application &
Interview
Planning and organising / Able to plan and shape the direction of professional area of activity.
Able to organise major new initiatives, with little or no precedent.
The ability to handle and prioritise a complex portfolio in a challenging and fast-moving environment, showing equally high effectiveness in contributing to strategic thinking and in undertaking key operational tasks.
A keen eye for detail with the ability to understand the wider strategic picture and translate into effective operational delivery. / Application
Work History
Interview
References
Problem solving and initiative / Able to develop significant new concepts and original ideas within one’s field in response to intractable issues of importance to the University.
Demonstrate a capacity to question traditional assumptions and contribute to solutions that raise expectations about performance.
Ability to respond quickly, anticipate situations, and take appropriate action to resolve issues and to minimise any associated risk. / Application
Work History
Interview
References
Management and teamwork / Able tobuild, motivate and develop a successful team capable of meeting varied challenges.
Proven ability to build, manage and enhance collaborative working relationships at all levels, both within the University and externally, to achieve key deliverables. / Application
Work History
Interview
References
Communicating and influencing / Highly articulate, excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively at all levels, both within the University and externally.
Strong negotiation and persuasion skills. / Application
Work History
Interview
References
Other skills and behaviours / Able to manage projects and workloads to meet timescales, budgets and outputs according to the changing priorities of the Directorate.
A commitment to delivering services that add value from the perspective of the customer, taking a pro-active approach to the collection and evaluation of feedback in two way relationships.
Experience and good level of competence in the use of Microsoft Office suite of products, with a good knowledge of software packages being used within the sector. / Application
Work History
Interview
References
Special requirements / Flexibility to take leave outside peak times of activity in Student and Academic Administration.
Commitment to the integrity and confidentiality of all relevant data and processes. / Application
Work History
Interview
References

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS

Is this an office-based post?

☒Yes / If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU),no further information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☐No / If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety of the post-holder.

## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position.Please note, if full health clearance is required for a role, this will apply to all individuals,including existing members of staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES / Occasionally
(<30% of time) / Frequently
(30-60% of time) / Constantly
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties

Head of Quality, Standards & Accreditation Dec 16 V3.docxMSA Level 61