Interim University Secretary

Anderson Quigley is delighted to continue our partnership with QA Higher Education (QA HE) on the appointment of an interim University Secretary, to report directly to the COO.

Practicalities:

This is an initial 6 month contract, to start in mid-June to mid-July. The on-site expectation is c.2 days per week – typically one day in London and one in Birmingham – with flexibility required. Travel expenses will be considered and we would consider both 4 or 5 days per week.

Who is QA HE?

QA HE is a leading private higher education (HE) provider that partners with renowned UK universities to offer a broad range of academic programmes, from foundation level to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, to over 17,000 students. They are proud to provide students with the tools they need for academic and career success and are committed to making higher education accessible to all.

Role Overview:

As QA HE moves towards formal registration with the Office for Students (OfS), they are investing in the leadership and infrastructure needed to meet and far exceed the expectations of a modern, regulated HE provider. This is where an experienced interim University Secretary or interim Director of Governance and Compliance comes in.

This is a new and critical role to support the evolution of governance, compliance, and risk management practices as the QA HE prepares for OfS registration. Reporting to the COO and working closely with executive colleagues, the interim University Secretary will help establish the QA HE Academic Board, embed an effective committee structure, and ensure QA HE has a clear institutional approach to agency compliance, UKVI regulations, risk, and data governance. You will play a hands-on role in establishing the Secretariat function, shaping internal processes, and supporting the development of a target operating model aligned with long-term goals.

Essential Criteria:

You will bring significant leadership experience within higher education governance and compliance, ideally gained in a UK university. You will have a deep understanding of OfS expectations and academic board structures, and experience establishing governance frameworks and supporting high-level boards or committees. Familiarity with UKVI and student recruitment agent compliance is key, as is knowledge of risk management, data compliance, and wider regulatory responsibilities such as GDPR and FOI.

Next Steps:

If you are an experienced interim University Secretary or Director of Governance and Compliance, please get in touch with Akhil Yerneni or Eva Tomka to discuss.