Academic Delivery Manager

The Academic Delivery Manager ensures high-quality academic delivery across all programmes within Bath Spa U Ltd, ensuring consistency and compliance with internal policies and external quality assurance and regulatory requirements including those of the Office for Students.

Working closely with the Head of Academic Services and other key stakeholders, the postholder plays a central role in maintaining academic standards, student outcomes, and regulatory compliance across the organisation’s portfolio of programmes.

The role provides leadership, oversight, and direction to Programme Leaders and academic teams, with responsibility for teaching, learning, assessment, student engagement, and the ongoing assurance of academic standards. Operating at the interface between academic and professional services, the postholder supports effective planning, coordinated delivery, and a coherent, high-quality student experience.

In addition, the Academic Delivery Manager provides academic insight and advice to the Head of Academic Services, contributes to programme development and institutional planning, and supports the design and implementation of scalable delivery models that enable campus expansion and future growth while safeguarding academic quality and standards. The role works closely with academic teams based in Bath and with central Assessment Teams, ensuring alignment, consistency, and effective communication across locations and functions.

·       Provide academic leadership across all programmes (including Business, Health, Computing, and any more programmes), ensuring high-quality, consistent delivery.

·       Be accountable for academic standards, ensuring compliance with Bath Spa University (BSU) regulations, policies, Definitive Programme Documents (DPDs), and intended learning outcomes.

·       Lead and support Programme Leaders and Module Leaders to maintain excellence in teaching, learning, assessment, and feedback.

·       Oversee academic quality assurance processes, including module and programme monitoring, external examining, and engagement with Link Tutors.

·       Ensure programme delivery meets OfS B Conditions, particularly those related to academic quality and student outcomes.

·       Oversee the quality and consistency of teaching, learning, assessment, and feedback across all programmes aligned with BSU expectations.

·       Ensure effective and fair assessment, marking, moderation, and timely feedback in line with institutional requirements.

·       Support teaching observation processes and continuous professional development in collaboration with relevant academic support teams.

·       Monitor programme performance, including retention, progression, attainment, and completion.

·       Work with the Head of Academic Services to design and implement targeted interventions where performance risks are identified.

·       Work with Programme Leaders and in collaboration with Student Support, Attendance & Intervention, Registry, and Quality teams to actively manage and monitor academic risk to maximise student engagement and attendance to ensure timely support for students.

 

·       Lead activity to enhance NSS results, student voice, and the overall student experience.

·       Oversee academic planning, including academic calendars, assessment schedules, and delivery models.

·       Work closely with timetabling, operations, and registry teams to ensure effective and sustainable programme delivery.

·       Contribute to lecturer allocation, recruitment activity, and workload planning to support high-quality delivery.

·       Ensure consistent academic standards and operational effectiveness across all delivery sites, including new or expanding campuses.

·       Maintain oversight of evening and weekend academic delivery where required.

·       Lead and manage Programme Leaders, ensuring clear accountability, appropriate support, and effective performance management.

·       Oversee the appointment of Module Leaders, ensuring capability, subject expertise, and alignment with programme needs.

·       Participate in academic staff recruitment, selection, and workforce planning activities.

·       Provide strategic advice to the Head of Academic Services on academic performance, delivery risks, and future planning.

·       Contribute to programme design, review, and development in partnership with Bath Spa University colleagues.

·       Support workforce planning, student number forecasting, and capacity modelling.

·       Work with Heads of School and senior academic colleagues to ensure delivery aligns with institutional strategy and a “One BSU” approach.

·       Act as a key link between academic teams and professional services, including Registry, Quality & Governance, IT, Careers, and Student Support.

·       Support institutional initiatives and continuous improvement in academic operations.

·       Ensure smooth day-to-day academic operations and continuity of delivery.

Key Performance Measures

·       Programme retention, progression, attainment, and completion rates

·       Student engagement, attendance, and outcomes by module, levels and programmes

·       Quality and consistency of teaching, assessment, and feedback

·       NSS and student satisfaction indicators

·       Timeliness, accuracy, and quality of academic reporting

·       Effectiveness of academic planning, resourcing, and scalability of delivery

Qualifications and Experience Essential

·       Masters degree or equivalent

·       Considerable experience in Higher Education academic leadership or programme management

·       Strong understanding of UK HE academic standards, quality assurance, and student outcomes

·       Experience in assessment, moderation, and academic governance

·       Experience working across academic and professional service functions

Desirable

·       Experience in multi-campus or partner delivery environments

·       Knowledge of OfS regulatory framework (B Conditions)

·       Experience working with external examiners and university partners

·       Experience in programme design and curriculum development

 

Skills and Knowledge Essential

·       Strong leadership and people management skills

·       Excellent organisational and planning ability

·       Strong analytical and reporting capability

·       Ability to interpret and act on academic performance and engagement data

·       Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

·       Ability to operate in a fast-paced, operational environment Desirable

·       Familiarity with VLE systems, attendance systems, and student data platforms

·       Experience in timetabling, workforce planning, and capacity management

Personal Qualities

Essential

·       Strong leadership presence and accountability

·       Ability to work collaboratively across teams and functions

·       Proactive, solution-focused approach

·       Commitment to academic quality and student experience

·       Flexibility to respond to organisational needs

Special Conditions

The postholder may be required to:

·       Work evenings or weekends during key academic periods

·       Travel across campuses where required

·       Support delivery in periods of operational need

·       Take up new responsibilities as per operational needs