Registrar

University of Derby; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

42 days annual leave

Wellbeing benefits

Staff discounts

Discounted gym

Private health insurance

Holiday purchase

Cycle to Work

Flexible working

Professional development

Job summary

The University of Derby invites applications for a senior Registrar to lead Registry and Student Services, reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Deputy CEO. You will steer student administration, governance and lifecycle management, ensuring an inclusive, high-quality student experience from recruitment through graduation.

This role demands strategic leadership, change management and strong partnerships with academic and professional teams to drive innovation and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex services within higher education or a similarly regulated environment.
• Credibility to contribute at executive level and influence institutional decision-making.
• Deep expertise in student administration, governance, regulatory compliance and student experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Registry and Student Services.
• Lead development of future-focused services and drive digital transformation.
• Champion data and insight to inform decision-making and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Shape institutional strategy and manage large-scale operations and teams.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Data-driven decisions

Job description

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

The Registry sits at the heart of the University, supporting every stage of the student journey from initial enquiry and application through to graduation and award. Working in close partnership with academic and professional service colleagues, Registry teams help to deliver an outstanding student experience through expert leadership of student administration, academic governance, student services, regulatory compliance and student support.

Our teams are committed to service excellence, innovation and continuous improvement, combining professional expertise with research-informed practice to enhance outcomes for students and the wider University community. We foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture that promotes wellbeing, diversity, opportunity and success for all.

This is an exciting time to join the University of Derby as we continue to evolve our services, embrace digital innovation and strengthen our student-centred approach to support success, belonging and achievement across the student lifecycle.

About the Role

As Registrar, you will be one of the University's most senior professional leaders, reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Deputy CEO and leading a significant portfolio spanning Registry and Student Services.

You will provide strategic leadership across student and academic administration, student services, academic governance, regulatory compliance and student lifecycle management, ensuring the University delivers an outstanding, inclusive and high-quality experience for students from recruitment and enrolment through to graduation and progression.

As a member of the University's senior leadership community, you will play a key role in shaping institutional strategy and responding to the opportunities and challenges facing higher education. You will lead the development of future-focused services, drive digital transformation and service innovation, champion the use of data and insight to inform decision-making, and ensure the University remains responsive to changing student needs and regulatory requirements.

The role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on student success, wellbeing, inclusion and achievement. You will work closely with academic leaders, professional service directors, students and external stakeholders to deliver services that enable every student to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Upon appointment, this role will require a Fit and Proper Persons check. For more information, please refer to this guidance.

Please note that this vacancy will consist of a two-stage interview process. Shortlisted candidates should be available for:

• Stage 1: Tuesday 24th November
• Stage 2: Thursday 3rd December and Friday 4th December

We encourage candidates to reserve both dates, as alternative interview dates will not be available.

About You

You will be an experienced and strategic leader with a successful track record of leading complex services within higher education or a similarly regulated environment. You will bring significant experience of leading large-scale operations, organisational change and high-performing teams, alongside the credibility to contribute at executive level and influence institutional decision-making.

You will possess deep expertise in areas such as student administration, academic services, student support, governance, regulatory compliance and the wider student experience agenda. Equally important will be your ability to see the bigger picture, balancing strategic leadership with operational excellence while driving innovation, transformation and continuous improvement.

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about student success and who shares our commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and opportunity for all. You will be an exceptional relationship builder, capable of working collaboratively across organisational boundaries, inspiring teams, and developing strong partnerships that enhance outcomes for students, colleagues and the wider University community.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious and values-driven leader to shape the future of Registry and Student Services and play a pivotal role in delivering the University's strategic ambitions.

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Nadine Broadhurst, HR Business Partner via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail]

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
• You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit our website.

If you are successful, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.