Senior Quality and Partnership Manager

The Open University; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university in Belfast seeks a Senior Quality & Partnerships Manager to develop partnerships with Further Education Colleges in Northern Ireland. Responsibilities include assuring quality standards, managing relationships, and supporting academic institutions. The role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, along with experience in higher education environments. The position offers a hybrid working model, combining office attendance and remote work. Travel within the UK and potential international required.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Career development opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Experience in the FE/HE environment.
• Knowledge of FE/HE Quality Assurance systems.
• Substantial experience of report writing.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop partnerships with FE Colleges.
• Provide support for assuring quality and standards.
• Lead and liaise with partner institutions.

Skills

Oral and written communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Negotiation skills

Education

First degree or equivalent higher education qualification

Job description

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: Not Applicable

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Change your career, change lives

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About the Role

The Open University has seen significant growth of validation partnerships with Further Education (FE) Colleges in Northern Ireland in recent years and expects to see these partnerships thrive and continue in the future. Development of this partnership approach with the FE sector is a strategic priority for The Open University and the post holder will play a critical role in developing new partnership opportunities, and maintaining existing, partnerships.

You will provide support for the management, implementation and development of the University’s arrangements for assuring and enhancing the quality and standard of its validated provision in Northern Ireland, and in other locations as directed. You will also lead on the OU’s support and guidance to a number of the University’s partner institutions and liaise with academic colleagues in this work. While you will report to a Portfolio Lead, OU Validation Partnerships, you will be expected to engage with The Open University in Ireland, working in partnership to meet University objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Senior Quality & Partnerships Managers are expected to work as members of various project or functional teams. Examples include: the management and organisation of approval and reapproval activity; working with colleagues in partner institutions or elsewhere in the University on quality enhancement led activities; leading and being responsible for the work of a project team;

Senior Quality & Partnerships Managers are expected to organise a schedule of activities and visit institutions, attend meetings and conferences across and outside the University;

Senior Quality & Partnerships Managers should expect to spend time away from home at a variety of events. There may be a requirement for international travel including long-haul trips, but it is expected that this post predominantly involves UK travel.

Each Senior Quality & Partnerships Manager will work closely with administrative and support colleagues; and with academic colleagues across the University.

Duties may vary, but the core activities will include:

• To be a nominated contact for a group of partner institutions, primarily in Northern Ireland;
• To be responsible for the provision of authoritative advice, support and guidance to partner institutions, University colleagues and external peers on the University’s requirements and expectations in respect of the quality assurance of collaborative provision;
• To support and guide partner institutions in the development of their own arrangements for the management of quality and enhancement of the student experience;
• To participate in, and prepare University reports about, institutional and programme approval and reapproval in conjunction, where appropriate, with other members of University staff;
• To evaluate, offer feedback, and report to the University on partners’ annual monitoring outcomes;
• To contribute to the University’s understanding and awareness of emerging strengths and weaknesses of its validated provision;
• To liaise with partner institutions, OU academics and other university staff in agreeing annual programmes of enhancement-led engagements for each institution;
• To foster and encourage academic dialogue between partner institutions and between the University and its partners;
• To service University committees or working groups that may from time to time be assigned, including the preparation of policy papers, agenda and minutes;
• To liaise with other OU Validation Partnership staff, working in a variety of OU Validation Partnership teams to support and deliver the Unit’s responsibilities;
• To supervise, as appropriate, the maintenance of records and correspondence provide accurate information and data in support of the Unit’s responsibilities;
• To prepare any other papers and reports as required;
• To undertake line management of OUVP staff as required;
• To represent the Director or Head of Validation Partnerships in external and internal activities and events, for example with employers, other institutions, professional or statutory bodies;
• To represent The Open University at meetings with the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland and Department of Education and Skills in the Republic of Ireland;
• To undertake such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Director or Head of Validation Partnerships.

About You

• A first degree, or equivalent higher education qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience of work in an FE/HE environment with an awareness of issues relevant to the higher education sector in Northern Ireland, nationally and internationally.
• Knowledge of FE/HE Quality Assurance and enhancement systems.
• Substantial experience of report writing and critical analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to interpret policy and disseminate information effectively.
• Friendly and approachable, with a patient and facilitative manner.
• Excellent inter-personal and negotiation skills, with the ability and confidence to influence, advise and support others over whom there is no formal authority, including senior academic staff.
• Flexibility and the ability to work co-operatively and responsively in a variety of team settings.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as prioritise and remain effective under pressure.
• Ability to travel and spend time in national and international locations, as required.
• An understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunity and Respect for Diversity policies in the OU and partner institutions.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email [e-mail] quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location and travel requirements

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Belfast office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be approximately 1-2 times per month, but frequency will vary throughout the year depending on business need. You will also be required to attend monthly in person team meetings in Milton Keynes and at other times of the year depending on business need. Regular travel to partners predominantly based in Northern Ireland will be required.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Interviews are anticipated to take place week commencing 23 Februaury 2026.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following as separate documents;

• CV
• Supporting statement, up to 1,250 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification.

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application,please contact:[e-mail] .

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The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.