Interim Executive Director of Academic and Student Services

Anderson Quigley is pleased to be supporting Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) with the appointment of an Interim Executive Director of Academic & Student Services. This is one of the most significant professional services leadership roles in the University and provides an opportunity to shape a directorate that sits at the heart of their student experience.

Terms:

The is a 9‑month interim appointment, reviewed at 6 months with the possibility of extension to 12 months. The preferred start date is 1st September to allow for handover, though some flexibility on start date may be possible. Based in Canterbury, the post requires an average of 3 days per week on site. Support with accommodation and travel could be available as part of the package. Full-time is preferred, though 0.8 FTE will be considered.

Overview:

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Interim Executive Director of Academic and Student Services will provide strategic and operational leadership for academic and student services across the institution. The role has responsibility for four direct reports and through them, a directorate of around 300 staff. Together, these teams cover student life (wellbeing, counselling, library, student hub and advice), academic operations (assessment, registry, timetabling, course management), and academic administration (admissions, quality assurance, student records, governance, complaints and appeals).

This is a newly created position, established to embed a redesigned service model that will deliver a seamless and digitally enabled student journey. You will oversee the introduction of user-focused, digital-first processes and an integrated approach to student administration. A key deliverable will be the rollout of a one-stop model for student-facing services, ensuring consistency, efficiency and excellent customer care. Alongside this, you will ensure robust oversight of academic quality, statutory reporting, student data, assessment and attendance, while working closely with Deans, Schools, and central professional services to ensure a cohesive, student centred approach.

The right person:

We are seeking a senior HE leader with substantial experience across academic and student services, ideally at Director level, who can combine operational expertise with an empathetic and collegiate leadership style. You will bring a proven record of leading service transformation, improving systems and processes, and delivering lasting improvements across the student journey and lifecycle.

This role will suit both established HE professional services leaders already operating at directorate level, and those ready to step up from a Faculty Registrar, Academic Registrar or equivalent senior role. You will need the credibility to work effectively with senior academic colleagues, the confidence to lead a large and diverse workforce, and the ability to bring people with you through significant organisational change.

Next steps:

If this role is of interest, please contact Akhil Yerneni ASAP to discuss further. The search will continue until Monday 11 August, but shortlisting may take place on a rolling basis. Virtual interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 18 August, so early expressions of interest are strongly encouraged.