Director of Academic Quality & Compliance

Financial Edge; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitecliffe is seeking a strategic Quality Assurance Director in Auckland to lead the academic quality assurance framework, ensure NZQA compliance, and drive continuous improvement across delivery areas.

You will oversee regulatory submissions, external reviews, and accreditation processes, collaborating with senior leadership to strengthen governance, policy, and data-informed decision-making—while embedding Te Tiriti commitments across the institution.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in academic quality assurance, compliance, or regulatory management within higher education or similar regulated environments.
• Ability to build relationships across academic and professional teams and lead organisational change smoothly.
• Project and change leadership capabilities with planning, coordination, and delivery to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of Whitecliffe's quality assurance systems and IQAF implementation.
• Oversee regulatory submissions, external reviews, and provider registrations with NZQA and other bodies.
• Act as senior escalation point for complex or sensitive matters, including complaints or disputes, with sound judgement and discretion.
• Collaborate with academic leaders to embed reflective self-review and evidence-informed improvement planning.
• Ensure governance, policy, compliance, and QA documentation are accessible, version-controlled, and audit-ready.
• Support Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments across governance and learner support.

Skills

Leadership experience

Relationship building

Project & change leadership

Strategic & collaborative

IQAF expertise

NZQA compliance

Regulatory management

Governance communication

Quality improvement

Regulatory readiness

Data-informed decision making

Audit readiness

Education

Tertiary qualification in governance/education/administration/business, or equivalent

Job description

Whitecliffe is seeking a strategic Quality Assurance Director in Auckland to lead the academic quality assurance framework, ensure NZQA compliance, and drive continuous improvement across delivery areas.

You will oversee regulatory submissions, external reviews, and accreditation processes, collaborating with senior leadership to strengthen governance, policy, and data-informed decision-making—while embedding Te Tiriti commitments across the institution.