Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager

The University of Manchester - Dubai; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Manchester - Dubai is seeking a QA & Compliance Manager to oversee institutional quality assurance, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement across Dubai and the home campus. You will ensure alignment with UAE authorities and UK standards, manage accreditation processes, and lead data-driven improvement initiatives to enhance student outcomes and institutional performance.

This role requires strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to translate policy

Qualifications

• Significant QA standards and accreditation knowledge.
• Experience with UAE regulators (CAA, KHDA, MoHESR).
• Experience with outcome-based education (OBEF).
• Ability to develop and monitor KPIs and dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with local laws and CAA/OBEF standards.
• Develop and update QA plans, processes and documentation.
• Lead accreditation, licensing submissions; liaise with authorities.
• Collect, analyse and report institutional data for improvements.
• Lead institutional effectiveness activities and KPI dashboards.
• Deliver workshops and training on quality standards.
• Coordinate reporting to regulators (HEDB/HEDS, KHDA, MoHESR).
• Support readiness for accreditation reviews and audits.
• Represent the university in regulatory discussions and events.

Skills

Quality assurance

Regulatory compliance

Higher education governance

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Project management

Team leadership

Regulatory reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in education/management/quality assurance

Job description

The Quality Assurance & Compliance (QA&C) Manager at UoM Dubai leads institutional quality assurance, regulatory compliance, institutional effectiveness, strategic performance assessment and continuous improvement. The role ensures that academic and administrative operations meet local and international regulatory standards and support the University's strategic objectives.

The role maintains institutional licensure and programme accreditation. It ensures compliance with the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), the Outcome-Based Education Framework (OBEF), HEDB/HEDS reporting, KHDA, MoHESR and other relevant authorities, and alignment with the University of Manchester's academic quality frameworks and governance.

As the institutional focal point for these areas, the QA&C Manager develops, implements and evaluates policies, quality systems, performance indicators, assessment frameworks and improvement initiatives. The role promotes evidence-based decision‑making, accountability and quality enhancement. It works closely with teams in Dubai and at the Home Campus to improve educational quality, student outcomes and institutional performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Responsibilities

• Ensures compliance with local laws and regulations, including CAA Standards and OBEF.
• Contributes to improving QA&C policies and procedures in line with the University's business objectives.
• Promotes leading practice and excellence.

2. Quality Assurance Systems, Plans and Assessment

• Develops and updates local quality assurance plans, processes and documentation in line with CAA Standards and OBEF requirements for outcome‑based curriculum design and assessment.
• Sets quality benchmarks for programmes, curricula and services with academic and administrative departments. Aligns local practice with institutional standards in collaboration with the Manchester Student and Academic Services Division.
• Measures and reports stakeholder engagement in evaluating student learning at course, programme and institutional levels, ensuring intended learning outcomes (ILOs) are mapped, assessed and reported under OBEF.
• Promotes a culture of accountability and improvement through systematic use of evaluations, feedback and review outcomes to enhance operations and student experience.

3. Compliance, Regulations and Accreditation

• Works with the Student and Academic Services Division in Manchester to achieve and maintain licensing, accreditation and regulatory compliance.
• Guides departments in continuous improvement informed by strategic planning and institutional policy.
• Guides and supports preparation and submission of programme accreditations, initial and renewal institutional licensures, audit reports and substantive change submissions.
• Maintains communication with the CAA, MoHESR, KHDA, DIAC, DDA and other local authorities to ensure timely submissions.
• Ensures all teaching and learning at the Dubai branch meets University of Manchester academic standards and CAA/OBEF requirements.
• Maintains an up‑to‑date digital course file for each course, including course specification, ILOs, assessment methods, student feedback and teaching materials, meeting CAA, OBEF, KHDA and MoHESR requirements.

4. Data-Driven Quality Enhancement and Institutional Effectiveness

• Collects, analyses and reports institutional data to identify improvements in academic quality, operational performance and strategic objectives.
• Leads institutional effectiveness activities, including strategic planning assessment, operational reviews, performance monitoring and benchmarking.
• Develops and monitors KPIs and performance dashboards aligned with strategic priorities, CAA standards, OBEF and regulatory requirements.
• Designs and administers surveys of students, alumni, academics, employers and staff to assess performance, educational effectiveness and satisfaction.
• Establishes data governance practices to ensure data quality, accuracy, integrity and compliance.
• Uses institutional research and stakeholder feedback to recommend improvements in academic quality, student success and institutional performance.
• Drives enhancement‑based improvement using data insights, local audits and stakeholder feedback.
• Leads initiatives to address gaps, including those identified through CAA reviews and OBEF outcome‑attainment analysis.
• Delivers workshops and training for academics and staff on quality standards and outcome‑based education.

6. Reporting and Governance

• Coordinates and submits HEDB/HEDS, KHDA Census, MoHESR and other regulatory reports.
• Leads reporting on strategic performance indicators, institutional effectiveness, quality assurance and compliance, including reports for senior management and regulators.
• Coordinates institutional assessment and review cycles, quality audits and benchmarking.
• Maintains records of quality assurance activities, effectiveness assessments, accreditation submissions, audit findings and improvement plans.
• Supports evidence‑based planning, governance and decision‑making.

7. Operational Excellence

• Implements and oversees quality assurance and effectiveness frameworks across academic and professional services.
• Supports strategic plan implementation and coordinates quality enhancement projects, monitoring their effectiveness.
• Identifies improvement opportunities and efficiencies with stakeholders, aligning institutional priorities, regulatory requirements and operations.
• Ensures institutional readiness for accreditation reviews, audits and external evaluations.

8. Staffing and Reporting Structure

• Reports directly to the UoM Dubai Founding Director & CEO.
• Works with the Division of Student and Academic Services on programme assessment, local oversight of quality assurance and alignment with the Home Campus.

9. General Representation

• Represents the University in local accreditation processes, official events and regulator‑led workshops and training, and with talent and corporate partners.
• Participates in regulatory discussions locally, regionally and internationally, including the UK, and keeps abreast of regulatory developments and global quality assurance trends.
• Contributes to UoM Dubai projects and events that support the University's strategic development in the region.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Professional Experience: Typically 5 to 10 years in quality assurance, compliance or educational administration at a UAE‑based institution, including managing teams or workstreams.

Higher Education Experience: Significant higher education experience in quality assurance, accreditation, institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement. Experience of the UAE higher education regulatory environment is essential; familiarity with UK higher education systems, quality frameworks and governance is highly desirable.

Quality Assurance Frameworks: In‑depth knowledge of national and international quality assurance standards, including CAA Standards, OBEF, MoHESR and KHDA regulations.

Accreditation Processes: Experience with self‑study reports, site visits and CAA HEDS reporting cycles.

Educational Assessment: Familiarity with outcome‑based assessment, including ILO mapping and reporting under OBEF.

Data Analysis: Ability to collect, analyse, interpret and present data effectively.

Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Project and People Management: Experience managing quality assurance projects and teams, including line management.

The person appointed should also possess:

• Teamwork and leadership skills, and the ability to liaise with regulators, academics and students.
• Discretion with confidential information and awareness of Data Protection Act / GDPR requirements.
• Excellent organisation and time management, and the ability to manage own and team workload.
• A positive, self‑motivated approach and commitment to professional development.
• Analytical, problem‑solving and technical skills, with strong attention to detail.

Educational Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree: Minimum of a bachelor's degree in education, management, quality assurance or a related field.

Desired Knowledge and Certifications

Quality Assurance Certifications: CQA, CQIA or similar credentials.

Accreditation Training: Courses or certifications in higher education accreditation.

• Regulatory Standards: Knowledge of standards including CAA, AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.