Academic Quality and Assurance Manager

About Raindance Film SchoolRaindance Film School is an ambitious and growing independent creative education provider, committed to career-focused education in filmmaking through accredited British qualifications and university degree programmers.We work in partnership with De Montfort University, the University of Wolverhampton and Pearson to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant education that helps our students achieve their creative and professional aspirations.As we continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced and self-motivated Quality Assurance Manager to join our Senior Management Team and lead our academic quality, standards, governance and regulatory compliance agenda.The RoleThis is a pivotal appointment in a small, evolving institution. The postholder will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of quality assurance, academic standards, governance and regulatory compliance, and will be the institution's principal source of expertise on the regulatory and quality landscape.Working closely with the senior leadership team, programme teams, students and external partners, you will ensure that our policies, programmes, governance arrangements and assessment processes meet regulatory expectations and uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. You will advise senior leaders on OfS requirements, quality enhancement and institutional risk, and you will help shape the way the quality function develops as Raindance grows.Key ResponsibilitiesQuality and standardsLead the development and continuous improvement of Raindance's academic quality and standards framework, aligned with the OfS conditions of registration and the UK Quality Code.Lead programme approval, validation, modification, periodic review and revalidation processes, working in partnership with our university partners.Oversee assessment boards and ensure the fair, consistent and transparent application of academic regulations.Manage the quality aspects of academic appeals, complaints and academic misconduct processes, identifying themes and driving lessons learned.Promote a culture of continuous improvement, academic integrity and evidence-based decision making.Regulatory compliance and governanceEnsure the institution remains compliant with the conditions of registration, including consumer protection law and data protection (UK GDPR).Provide expert advice to senior leaders on regulatory compliance, quality assurance, governance and institutional risk.Ensure robust academic governance arrangements for quality-related committees with clear ToR (Terms of reference) ensuring that agreed actions are implemented effectively.Monitor developments across the higher education regulatory landscape (OfS, QAA, DfE, OIA and others) and lead the policy and procedural changes needed in response.Oversee institutional audits, external reviews, monitoring visits and compliance reporting, and maintain the institution's risk and compliance registers.Data, returns, and evidenceUse data and evidence to evaluate academic quality, student outcomes and institutional performance, identifying and acting on opportunities for improvement.Monitor continuation, completion, progression and student satisfaction, and develop quality dashboards to support informed decision making.Coordinate regulatory and partner returns, including submissions to the OfS and HESA, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and clear accountability.Stakeholders and student voiceBuild strong, constructive relationships with validating partners, awarding bodies, regulators and other external stakeholders, and lead the institution's engagement with them.Work with student representatives to ensure the student voice informs quality enhancement.Represent Raindance externally on matters of academic quality, standards and compliance.Line manage and develop quality and compliance support staff as the function grows.About YouYou will combine strategic insight with operational excellence and a strong track-record of leading quality assurance and compliance in UK higher education.EssentialPostgraduate qualification, or equivalent senior-level experience, in higher education quality and standards.Thorough knowledge of the UK higher education regulatory environment, including OfS conditions of registration, QAA requirements and the UK Quality Code, HESA data requirements, and the roles of other key sector bodies.Significant experience in a senior quality assurance, academic standards, or compliance role.Experience developing quality frameworks, policies and governance processes, and leading programme approval, validation, and review.Proven ability to prepare high-quality submissions and evidence for regulators, awarding bodies and senior committees.Experience analysing student outcomes and performance data to drive improvement.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience of leading change and managing or developing others.DesirableExperience of supporting or leading an OfS registration application.Experience of working in an alternative provider, a small institution, or a validated/franchised partnership setting.Knowledge of the creative industries or specialist creative education.Personal attributesSelf-motivated and proactive: able to work independently, set priorities and take ownership of a small team where there is no ready-made infrastructure.Knowledgeable and credible: a trusted source of regulatory expertise who can explain complex requirements clearly to academic, executive and Board audiences.Adaptable and growth-minded: comfortable with change, ambiguity and a broad remit, and keen to grow with an ambitious institution and help build its quality culture.Collaborative and pragmatic: able to balance rigorous compliance with practical, proportionate solutions that work for staff and students.What We OfferA competitive salary, dependent on experience and qualifications.28 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays.A senior role with real influence at an exciting stage in the institution's development, including the opportunity to shape its regulatory and quality arrangements.Other benefits: pension and professional development