Senior Manager, Academic Quality

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Putrajaya; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution in Malaysia is hiring for a Manager / Senior Manager, Academic Quality and Regulatory Compliance. This role leads the campus's regulatory compliance and quality assurance services, ensuring adherence to local laws and educational standards. Candidates should have relevant management experience, strong communication skills, and a commitment to quality improvement. This position involves managing audits, coordinating academic records, and preparing reports. The ideal candidate will possess a degree, preferably a master's degree, and will be expected to work on selected weekends.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of relevant experience is required.
• Strong commitment to continuous quality improvement and excellent service delivery.
• Must be able to work on selected weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead the professional support for the campus’s Regulatory Compliance services.
• Ensure compliance with MOHE and MQA requirements.
• Manage internal and external audits and quality assurance activities.
• Coordinate academic records related to approvals and accreditations.
• Prepare and present reports and briefing papers.

Skills

Management skills

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving skills

Education

Degree or equivalent

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Overview

The Registry and Academic Support (RAS) of the campus provides core administrative services at the University such as student enrolments, registrations, payments, records, exams, and graduation, working closely with academic schools and other professional services departments. It also offers direct student support, including wellbeing, careers service, international student support, and resources to enhance learning and holistic success.

Academic Quality and Regulatory Compliance is another core function of RAS, ensuring adherence to local laws and regulations governed by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). This includes approvals and accreditations, internal policies, and quality, ethical standards, and student welfare – especially for international students. RAS has three main divisions: Academic Quality, Academic Operations, and Student Life.

The Manager / Senior Manager, Academic Quality and Regulatory Compliance provides expert professional advice to internal and external stakeholders, delivering managerial support to the University’s compliance monitoring and academic quality cycle through design, implementation, and evaluation of appropriate processes, policies, and regulations. An excellent understanding of the MOHE and MQA frameworks, rules, regulations, and University policies and procedures is essential. This role ensures the campus acts in compliance with all relevant regulatory and professional agency requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Take a lead role in the professional support for and operation of the Malaysia campus’s Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance services.
• Ensure that University procedures, policies, regulations and supporting documentation meet the MOHE, MQA and other relevant external requirements.
• Monitor and review institutional and programme approvals, accreditations, and reporting status; ensure the campus is properly registered with regulatory agencies and professional bodies; recommend improvements when necessary.
• Manage internal and external academic audits and quality assurance activities for the campus, ensuring all documentation meets requirements.
• Coordinate and support academic schools and professional services departments in managing and submitting institutional records related to external approvals, accreditations, and other regulatory requirements such as data gathering, regular reporting, and institutional ranking/rating exercises.
• Respond to the requirements of authorities, quality assurance agencies, and professional bodies (e.g., MOHE, MQA, BQSM, BEM), considering the needs of the University.
• Ensure appropriate approvals and dissemination of revised procedures, policies, and regulations; provide specialist advice to staff and students and conduct relevant staff training on programme/course approval and review processes.
• Act as a strategic partner for academic schools and professional services departments, applying professional knowledge to provide effective support, advice, and guidance in quality matters while maintaining compliance.
• Build professional relationships and maintain links with local authorities, professional agencies, academic leaders, and relevant staff at the University.
• Lead projects related to the unit’s work, contributing to business process improvement activities that are effective, efficient, and meet the University’s regulatory and statutory responsibilities.
• Plan and manage budgets and resources efficiently; investigate variances and implement solutions at the appropriate level; provide accurate progress reports on work activities and resource utilisation.
• Prepare and present reports and briefing papers; gather, update, and evaluate management information; identify solutions and make recommendations.
• Maintain effective document management for active records and archives, respecting data protection legislation and upholding standards of security and confidentiality.
• Support relevant internal reviews, statutory cycles, and professional body events; act as a professional representative for Academic Quality at University committees, projects, or working groups and with external agencies or networks as appropriate.
• Manage a team, undertaking line management and appraisal of staff within the unit; mentor, develop, and support staff to maximize their performance and career development.
• Deputise where necessary for the Head of Registry and Academic Support and other senior members of the RAS team; undertake any other duties requested by the Head of registry and academic support commensurate with the grade of the post.
• All HWUM staff endeavours will embody the shared values of: Inspire, Collaborate, Belong, and Celebrate.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive; the role holder may be required to undertake additional duties commensurate with the post’s grading and evolving priorities.

Portfolio of Policies and Procedures

• Manage portfolio of policies and procedures related to regulatory compliance, academic quality, and enhancement:
  • Institutional license approvals and renewals
  • Programme approvals and reviews
  • Quality assurance cycle
  • Academic quality and standards
  • Enhancement projects

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent
• Master’s degree (preferred)

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience
• Strong management skills with the ability to lead a team and a commitment to continuous quality improvement and excellent service delivery
• Ability to prioritise work independently while maintaining quality
• Demonstrated capacity to develop, implement, manage, and evaluate services and projects
• Strong communication skills with all levels of the University, including students, staff, and the wider community
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality when managing information
• Effective computer, organisational and problem‑solving skills

Special Factors (if applicable)

• Must be able to work on selected weekends

Essential Criteria

These are attributes without which a candidate would not be able to undertake the full remit of the role. Applicants who do not clearly demonstrate in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be eliminated at the short‑listing stage.

Desirable Criteria

These are attributes which would be useful for the candidate to hold. When shortlisting, these criteria will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential criteria.

Application Process

Applications should be submitted to the Careers system.

Applications must be submitted by 13 February 2026. If you are not contacted by the selection committee by 28 February 2026, then please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

EEO Statement

The University is committed to equality of opportunity.