Head of Quality Enhancement and Standards Team; QuEST

Quality Enhancement and Standards Team (QuEST) Directorate of Education Enhancement Paisley Campus with travel to other campuses

This role may be eligible at this time for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. If requiring visa sponsorship, it is the successful candidate's responsibility to ensure they meet the individual criteria to satisfy Home Office visa sponsorship requirements. If the role is offered on a part-time basis, this might also affect eligibility. More information on eligibility can be found on the Government website.

Please note that the information provided in this advert is correct at the time of writing. The University cannot guarantee sponsorship, and we encourage you to keep up to date with any changes that the Home Office may introduce.

The Quality Enhancement and Standards Team (QuEST) at the University of the West of Scotland has an exciting vacancy for a new Head of Department. The successful post-holder will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, institutional guidance and management of all aspects of the University's quality assurance and enhancement framework. This role is an opportunity for an ambitious, diligent and innovative professional with a proven track record in quality assurance and enhancement and the ability to lead an effective University department.

QuEST is a dedicated team within the Directorate of Education Enhancement in the portfolio of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning, Teaching and Student Success. The Head of QuEST provides strategic leadership, oversight, and institutional guidance on all aspects of the University's quality assurance and enhancement framework working with colleagues across the University to drive a quality culture of continuous improvement aligned with the UWS values of Integrity, Respect, Accountability, and Inclusivity.

As a member of the Directorate of Education Enhancement leadership team, the Head of QuEST provides briefings and reporting to Senate, the Vice-Chancellor's Executive, and other governance groups to enable institutional oversight of quality management and academic standards, including management of engagement with sector agencies such as the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

• Providing strategic leadership, oversight, and institutional guidance on all aspects of the University's quality assurance and enhancement framework, including strategies, processes, policies and procedures.
• Ensuring that quality assurance and enhancement approaches at the University drive a holistic quality culture, supporting the achievement of institutional strategic objectives in learning, teaching and curriculum, and enhancing the student learning experience and outcomes.
• Managing an effective department responsible for the development, delivery, and monitoring of quality and standard processes, guidance and support for the University (all campuses and provision), ensuring QuEST provides a professional, clear and sector-aligned institutional quality enhancement and assurance support service to Faculties and Departments.
• Supporting the University's relationship with external quality bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), ensuring the University is aligned with national and European Standards and Guidelines on quality assurance and enhancement, including the expectations of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education, reflected in University approaches and processes.
• Ensuring alignment with the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework in managing the quality of the student learning experience at UWS, aligned with QAA guidance, to meet the expectations of the SFC.

• Honours degree.
• Relevant Continuing Professional Development.
• Significant experience of managing quality assurance/ enhancement in higher education including developing and contributing to institutional regulatory frameworks and quality frameworks/ handbooks, and policies and procedures.
• Senior management experience of delivering a service function within an educational context, including supporting academic / teaching colleagues.
• Experience of leading and managing the implementation of strategically aligned activity and change in an educational environment.
• Significant experience of analysing, interpreting, and presenting/ reporting complex information and data.
• Experience of drawing on external sector developments and/or statutory obligations to…