Partnership Compliance Manager in High Wycombe

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. Our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed. Our University’s DRIVE values are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary, and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues.

We are seeking a Partnership Compliance Manager to play a key role in ensuring the effective delivery of collaborative compliance across the University’s educational partnerships. Working closely with the Senior Manager Partnership Compliance and the Collaborative Relationships Team, the postholder will support the implementation, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance of compliance frameworks, ensuring partnerships meet regulatory, contractual, and quality assurance requirements while protecting the University’s reputation and commitments. The role provides practical guidance and oversight to internal teams and partners, proactively identifying risks, enabling timely resolution of issues, and contributing to continuous improvement across collaborative activity. This role is delivered with an inclusive and collaborative approach, supporting a diverse university community in which colleagues and partners are respected, supported, and able to contribute fully. The postholder may be required to work weekends to support institutional priorities.

What we offer:

• A generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
• Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
• Training & development support opportunities
• Contributory pension scheme
• Discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
• A range of staff discounts with major retailers.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you. For further information about this role please contact Shabana Hussain on Shabana.Hussain@bnu.ac.uk. All applications are to be made in full and online. BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles. Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to Louise Williams on louise.williams@bnu.ac.uk if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.

Closing and Interview Dates:

• Closing Date: 17th February 2026
• Interview Date: 26th February 2026

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK. BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.

Job Purpose:

To manage and coordinate the effective operational delivery of collaborative compliance, ensuring BNU’s educational partnerships meet regulatory, contractual, and quality assurance requirements. The role is responsible for supporting the implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of compliance frameworks across academic collaborations to protect the University’s reputation and partnership commitments. Working closely with the Senior Manager Partnership Compliance and the Collaborative Relationships Team, the postholder provides practical guidance, oversight, and support to internal teams and partners, identifying risks, enabling timely resolution of issues, and contributing to continuous improvement. The role operates with an inclusive approach, supporting a diverse and collaborative university community in which colleagues and partners are respected, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• In adherence with the University’s regulations, policies and procedures; provide an effective and professional service to the education provider and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate data capture, analysis, uploading, checking and tracking of information pertaining to academic administration and the student record.
• Reflect on and evaluate the operation of administrative processes and contribute to External Collaborations in promoting new ideas in relation to more effective account management.
• Plan and deliver on allocated tasks such as, but not limited to; Periodic Reviews, University Policy, Regulations and Procedures, Management and oversight of Partner Attendance Monitoring processes, Partner Staff Approval, Adherence to contractual KPI’s, Information for and communication with stakeholders, Operations and Quality Boards, Operational management of Quality Improvement and Priority Improvement planning processes, Annual Monitoring Reviews, Preparation of reports for UCC and other internal oversight committees.
• Be actively engaged with internal working groups and proactively implement agreed process changes within the University.
• Adopt and demonstrate behaviours aligned to the University’s values.
• Keep abreast of sector developments and best practice and undertake CPD as relevant to the role.
• There may be a requirement for these duties to be carried out across different sites within the University.
• Undertake any other duties working flexibly across External Collaborations with the grade of the post, as required by the line manager and PVC External Collaborations.
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
• Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
• Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.
• Supervisory duties including motivating and supporting team members, giving direction and feedback and ensuring adequate staffing cover.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential Criteria:

• Evidence of Professional engagement and CPD
• First degree or equivalent
• Delivering an excellent customer experience
• Experienced senior administrator
• Experience of committee servicing/minute taking
• Experience of dealing with sensitive casework
• Experience of problem solving
• Experience of educational working practices
• Knowledge of Higher Education systems, and quality and governance process and procedures in the UK
• Experience of analysing and reflecting on data and process and proposing change and solutions
• Strong understanding and awareness of data protection, freedom of information, and consumer rights legislation, with the ability to ensure compliance in all activities.
• Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships at all levels across the organisation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including report writing
• Proven organisational and planning skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Proactive and flexible attitude to work
• Proven ability of working well under pressure, to deadlines and with minimal supervision
• Good IT skills using MS packages and databases
• Good time management skills, with the ability to manage simultaneous projects to deadlines
• Methodical and accurate approach - meticulous attention to detail

Special Requirements:

• Willingness to work flexible hours as required during peak work times
• Willingness to travel to visit partners as required (UK and internationally)

Behavioural INDICATORS:

The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:

• Delivering excellent service
• Using resources effectively
• Achieving results