Associate Director, Education Partnerships, Quality and Governance

Surrey; Guildford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

32 days holiday

Pension contribution 14.5%

On-site childcare

On-site leisure facilities

Job summary

The University of Surrey invites applications for an Associate Director, Education Partnerships, Quality and Governance. This senior role provides leadership and professional advice on quality assurance, governance, regulatory compliance and risk management of the University's academic partnerships, with a focus on transnational education (TNE).

You will lead the development of a coherent, risk-based framework for the approval, monitoring, review, renewal and closure of partnerships, and advise

Responsibilities

• Lead the University's quality assurance and governance approach for academic partnerships, including TNE, ensuring alignment with the Quality Framework, Code of Practice for Academic Partnerships, regulations and external requirements.
• Provide authoritative advice to the TNE Board, University Education Committee and other relevant senior committees on partnership quality, regulatory compliance, academic standards, student experience and material risk.
• Direct and assure the academic due diligence, approval, monitoring, review, renewal and termination of academic partnerships, ensuring proportionate scrutiny and clear institutional accountability.
• Advise and provide professional direction to the Academic Quality Services Manager and the Head of OSCAR on TNE-related quality, governance, regulatory and student‑protection matters, coordinating responses where responsibilities intersect.
• Own the partnership quality risk framework, using data, intelligence and review outcomes to identify emerging risks, recommend mitigations, and elevate significant concerns to the appropriate governance body.

Job description

The University of Surrey is seeking an Associate Director, Education Partnerships, Quality and Governance, to provide senior institutional leadership and professional advice on the quality assurance, governance, regulatory compliance and risk management of the University's academic partnerships, with particular responsibility for transnational education (TNE).

We value, empower and support every member of staff to get the best out of your unique talents, so you'll be rewarded with a generous salary, 32 days holiday PLUS Bank Holidays, pension contribution of 14.5%, and a unique and vibrant working environment.

Role & Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of Academic Performance, Quality and Governance, this role leads the development and implementation of a coherent, risk-based framework for the approval, monitoring, review, renewal and closure of academic partnerships. The role ensures that partnership activity is supported by effective academic due diligence, clear accountability, reliable evidence and appropriate escalation of risk.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the University's quality assurance and governance approach for academic partnerships, including TNE, ensuring alignment with the Quality Framework, Code of Practice for Academic Partnerships, regulations and external requirements.
• Provide authoritative advice to the TNE Board, University Education Committee and other relevant senior committees on partnership quality, regulatory compliance, academic standards, student experience and material risk.
• Direct and assure the academic due diligence, approval, monitoring, review, renewal and termination of academic partnerships, ensuring proportionate scrutiny and clear institutional accountability.
• Advise and provide professional direction to the Academic Quality Services Manager and the Head of OSCAR on TNE-related quality, governance, regulatory and student‑protection matters, coordinating responses where responsibilities intersect.
• Own the partnership quality risk framework, using data, intelligence and review outcomes to identify emerging risks, recommend mitigations, and elevate significant concerns to the appropriate governance body.

What's in it for you?

We think Surrey is an amazing place to work, and we are carefully crafting a dynamic, flexible, and fun place to work and thrive. Our campus is a beautiful, leafy environment with carefully designed gardens, vibrant green playing fields, and a picturesque lake. With the buzz of student life and superb working facilities, the University is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life‑changing education and research in an inspiring, innovative and diverse environment. Alongside our gorgeous campus setting, collegiate on‑site atmosphere and plentiful development opportunities, we also offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Market leading Pension
• Up to 40 DAYS Holiday: 25 Days annual leave + 7 University Days + Bank Holidays
• Travel & Family benefits including subsidised rail fare, cycle to work scheme and on‑site childcare
• Access to on site leisure facilities at discounted rates

The University is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.