director of collaborative compliance

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Permanent

Salary Range

Spot salary

Hours per week

37

Closing Date

08/12/2025

Ref No

1930

Director of Collaborative Compliance

Full Time (37 hrs per week) – Permanent

Location – High Wycombe

Salary - £

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.

The Director of Collaborative Compliance is a senior leadership position responsible for strategically overseeing the compliance and quality assurance of all collaborative provision. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding the university's reputation and operational integrity by ensuring that all collaborative activities meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance, institutional accountability, and educational effectiveness.

As a key institutional leader, the Director will ensure that all collaborative arrangements comply with external regulatory frameworks and internal quality assurance policies. The postholder will lead and manage the Collaboration Compliance Team, providing strategic direction and expert guidance to ensure robust governance and continuous improvement.

The Director will engage proactively with external regulatory bodies and will have a high level of professional judgement, strategic foresight, and the ability to influence and collaborate across academic and professional services teams.

The Director will actively contribute to the development of an inclusive university community where all individuals feel valued and empowered to be themselves.

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 Professor Sarah Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor External Collaborations, on

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 Louise Williams on 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: 8th December 2025

Interview Date: 12th December 2025

Please note that an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this position. The successful applicant will be required to give consent to check their criminal record status through the DBS. Information will be kept in strict confidence. Your offer of appointment will be subject to the University being satisfied with the outcome of this check.

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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Director of Collaborative Compliance

College/Directorate: External Collaborations

Salary: Spot Salary

Location: High Wycombe

Hours: 37 per week

Responsible to: PVC External Collaborations

Responsible for: Senior Manager Partnership Compliance, Senior Manager Partnerships Admissions, Senior Manager Apprenticeship and Skills Compliance, Senior Manager Apprenticeship and Skills Systems Operations, EPA Manager and International Compliance & Administration Manager

Job Purpose:

The Director of Collaborative Compliance is a senior leadership position responsible for strategically overseeing the compliance and quality assurance of all collaborative provision across the institution. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding the university's reputation and operational integrity by ensuring that all partnerships and collaborative activities meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance, institutional accountability, and educational effectiveness.

As a key institutional leader, the Director is accountable for ensuring that all collaborative arrangements comply with external regulatory frameworks—including those set by the OfS, Ofsted, ESFA, Skills England, and UKVI—as well as internal quality assurance policies. The postholder will lead and manage the Collaboration Compliance Team, providing strategic direction and expert guidance to ensure robust governance and continuous improvement.

The Director will serve as the university's nominated lead for Ofsted, UKVI, and Skills England, representing the institution at the highest levels and ensuring proactive engagement with external bodies. This role requires a high level of professional judgement, strategic foresight, and the ability to influence and collaborate across academic and professional services teams.

In addition to regulatory leadership, the Director will champion an inclusive approach to compliance and quality, actively contributing to the development of an inclusive university community where all individuals feel valued and empowered to be themselves.

Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:

• Lead institutional risk management for collaborative provision by identifying current and emerging risks, maintaining detailed and summary risk registers, and implementing mitigation strategies to protect the University's reputation and compliance standing.
• Oversee legal agreements for collaborative activity, overseeing those responsible for drafting, revision, and management of bespoke and standard contracts in liaison with legal advisors, finance, and other key stakeholders.
• Oversee and lead the Due Diligence process for all collaborative partners, ensuring rigorous scrutiny and alignment with strategic, financial, regulatory, and academic standards.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and quality assurance across all collaborations, meeting and exceeding benchmarks set by OfS, Ofsted, ESFA, Skills England, UKVI, and other relevant bodies.
• Lead the development and implementation of key policies governing collaborations, including the Partner Quality Framework, the Partner Improvement Strategy, and Partner Admissions Processing Policy, driving continuous enhancement of collaborative provision through targeted interventions and strategic planning.
• Manage the compilation of annual self-assessment reports and quality improvement plans (QIPs), ensuring evidence-based evaluation and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Provide strategic oversight of staff approvals and access to University systems, ensuring appropriate onboarding and resource allocation for collaborative partners.
• Collaborate with Finance and Admissions to ensure robust procedures for fee invoicing, collection, and admissions processes that meet University standards and contractual obligations.
• Lead and manage four specialist teams—Partner Admissions, Apprenticeship Compliance, Partnership Compliance, and International Compliance—ensuring cohesive delivery and high performance across all areas.
• Exercise full line management responsibilities, including recruitment, performance development, wellbeing, and health & safety, fostering a high-performing and inclusive team culture.
• Ensure compliance with University policies and statutory obligations, including GDPR, UKVI, Equality & Diversity, and Health & Safety, across all collaborative operations, and have an agile approach to change.
• Maintain operational accountability for budget, health & safety, and risk management within the Directorate, ensuring efficient resource use and alignment with institutional governance frameworks.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – Essential Criteria Only

A = Application T = Test I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

Degree Qualification and post graduate qualification or equivalent

A

Evidence of Professional engagement and CPD

A

Knowledge & Experience

Delivering an excellent customer experience

A/I

Extensive knowledge of the UK and international Higher Education sector

A/I

Proven ability to implement strategic vision

A/I

Strong track record of effective engagement and influence with a wide range of stakeholders within UK, EU and overseas

A/I

A clear understanding of higher education sector and the role played by academic partnerships to deliver university strategic vision

A/I

Experience of influencing staff at all levels to apply policies and procedures, and to ensure regulatory compliance

A/I

Understanding of UK Higher Education Quality Assurance processes, finance, legal, registry and relevant functions in regard to UK and TNE portfolio delivery, including expert knowledge of the requirements of regulatory bodies

A/I

Experience of complex project management to a successful conclusion

A/I

Skills

Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools

A/I

Strong business development and account management skills with experience of delivering targets through external academic partnership building

A/I

High level analytical skills; the ability to collate an eclectic range of data, interpret the evidence base and make management decisions based on that evidence

I

Evidence of high-level communication skills (written, presentation and verbal).

I

Capacity and willingness to maintain and grow a culture which is innovative and inclusive.

I

Highly organized with an ability to manage multiple projects in a deadline intensive environment

A/I

Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to build and lead a high-quality and diverse team, adopting a collaborative style to deliver the university's vision

I

Demonstrable success and impact from effectively leading, managing and motivating staff, securing individual and collective engagement and action

A/I

Proven high level ability to be creative, innovative and incisive, ensuring an efficient approach to working practices

A/I

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide range of people

A/I

Commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities issues within a diverse and multicultural environment

A/I

Commitment to building and ensuring a good reputation for BNU in all activities related to Academic Collaborations

A/I

A self-starter, who can initiate improvements and continual change and adaption in order to develop and maintain BNU's reputation

A/I

Special Requirements

Willingness to travel in the UK and overseas as required

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:

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.

Using resources effectively

Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Achieving results

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