Director of Academic Services

Are you a senior Higher Education leader ready to shape the future of academic delivery?

HEP UK is looking for an ambitious Director of Academic Services to lead the continued evolution of our Academic Services function and play a pivotal role in our growth strategy.

This is a high-impact leadership role combining academic excellence, strategic transformation, commercial thinking and innovation. You'll shape a modern, scalable and technology-enabled operating model that strengthens our university partnerships, improves learner outcomes and creates long-term commercial value.

What You'll Lead

• Set and deliver the Academic Services strategy, aligned to HEP UK's growth ambitions.
• Lead the transformation of Academic Services, creating scalable, efficient and future-focused ways of working.
• Champion the responsible use of AI and emerging technology to enhance academic quality, learner outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Provide senior leadership across academic quality, governance, regulatory compliance and partner success.
• Build and strengthen strategic relationships with university partners, acting as a trusted senior academic advisor.
• Lead the development of innovative, commercially viable academic products and programmes.
• Drive improvements in student engagement, progression, retention and completion.
• Own operational performance, budgets, resource planning and organisational capability.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Academic Services leadership team and build a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in Higher Education, online learning, OPM or educational services, who can combine academic expertise with commercial and strategic thinking.

You'll bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within Higher Education or a related education environment.
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams and complex organisational change.
• A proven track record of delivering transformation and scalable operating models.
• Strong understanding of academic governance, quality assurance and regulatory requirements.
• Experience building and managing strategic university partnerships.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Excellent communication, influence and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading AI-enabled or digital transformation within education.
• A Master's degree in Higher Education, Education, Business, Educational Technology, Curriculum Development or a related discipline.

Why HEP?

This is an opportunity to play a defining role in the next chapter of HEP UK's growth. You'll have the autonomy and influence to transform Academic Services, shape innovative academic products, strengthen university partnerships and make a measurable difference to learner outcomes.

What we offer

• Free annual flu vaccinations
• 25 days holidays +bank holidays
• Company sick pay
• On-site parking & accessible transport links

Senior HE/Online Learning leadership. Academic transformation & change. University partnerships & commercial acumen

HEP is a Disability Confident and equal opportunity employer. HEP evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability status or any other legally protected characteristic.