Academic Quality Officer

Grade and Salary: Grade 6: £31,236-£36,636 FTE and working pattern: 1 FTE- full time (35 hours per week) open-ended. Opportunity for a flexible working pattern, with support for some remote working (3 days on campus).

Our Team Organisation Name: Academic Quality, within Registry and Academic Support Directorate. The Global Registry and Academic Support Directorate supports our students and staff colleagues across the full student life‑cycle from enrolment to graduation. The Directorate has responsibility as the definitive record‑keeper of all student information and programme and course details, and leading services that help students settle and stay at the University with professional help and advice, through a range of wellbeing services. It supports academic and professional services staff across the University in a number of areas, including: academic, institutional and student‑related Regulations and Policies and global, national and institutional quality matters.

The Academic Quality Division consists of three teams: Quality Assurance; Academic Enhancement; Accreditation and Academic Partnerships. The work of the Academic Quality Officer will involve collaboration across all three teams, with the majority of tasks related to the Quality Assurance team. The Academic Quality Team is responsible for strategy and policy development and the provision of advice, guidance and support in relation to the assurance and enhancement of academic standards, the quality of taught programmes and the quality of the student learning experience, across the wider, global University.

Purpose of Role

The Academic Quality Officer will be responsible for undertaking key quality assurance activities on behalf of the University, particularly in relation to Academic Review, Annual Monitoring and Review, support for the Learning and Teaching Academic Operations Committee, Examination Board processes and guidelines. The role‑holder will be responsible for the drafting of new, reviewing and revising of existing, policies and procedures. They will take responsibility for providing an integrated, coherent approach across all modes and locations to maintaining and assuring the quality and academic standards of the University’s provision.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Co‑ordinate and manage activities associated with the preparation for, and completion of, Academic Review events, across the University.
• Draft policies and procedures related to quality assurance and manage the associated processes of consultation, publication, implementation and review/revision.
• Provide advice and guidance for the interpretation and application of quality assurance policies and procedures.
• Co‑ordinate and manage the University’s Annual Monitoring and Review process, whilst taking responsibility for the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and presentation of themes for action to University‑level committees.
• Be responsible for working with relevant teams across the University for the review and revision of quality processes to shape a data‑informed approach to quality for enhancement purposes.
• Co‑ordinate and manage activities for supporting the University’s Examination and Assessment processes.
• Act as Clerk to the Learning and Teaching Academic Operations Committee, including producing agenda and papers.
• Produce, and contribute to, reports for University committees and external bodies.
• Progress any other tasks associated with the work of the Academic Quality team, as designated by the post’s line manager.
• Progress any other tasks associated with the work of the wider Registry and Academic Support Directorate.
• Undertake any other duties as required by the Global Director of Student Experience & Academic Registrar and/or Head of Academic Quality.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Educated to at least SCQF level 6‑7 or similar or equivalent practical experience in the workplace.
• Demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise workload, whilst working independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrable ability to work under pressure, within a dynamic, changing and pressured environment, whilst maintaining accuracy and quality.
• Demonstrable ability to use own initiative for overcoming challenges.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Well‑developed interpersonal skills and demonstrable excellent customer service experience.
• Experience of identifying and implementing improvements and developments.
• Competent in the use of relevant IT packages.

Desirable

• Experience of Higher Education.
• Experience of working within an academic quality environment in a quality assurance‑related role.
• Experience of preparations for internal or external periodic review.
• Experience of policy and process development and review.
• Experience of collaborating with multi‑location teams.
• Report writing for both internal committees and external quality agencies.
• Experience of clerking/acting as a committee secretary.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot‑Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.