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QA Higher Education (QA HE) is a leading private UK higher education provider that partners with renowned UK universities to offer a broad range of academic programmes, from foundation level to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, to over 17,000 students from across the globe. QA HE offers a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for success in their careers and personal development. Their courses, which span subjects like Business, Computing, Cybersecurity, and Digital Marketing, are delivered in vibrant city-centre locations in London, Manchester, and Birmingham, as well as through online and embedded pathways. QA HE is proud to provide students with the tools they need for academic and career success and is committed to making outstanding higher education accessible to all, supporting students, working professionals, and career changers alike.
Overview of the Role:
As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of QA HE, you will be at the helm of transforming and optimising the operational aspects of a rapidly growing higher education provider. This is a fast-paced, multi-faceted role that involves leading key operational portfolios including estates, student services, compliance, and registry, ensuring the smooth delivery of services that enhance both student and staff experiences. Reporting directly to the CEO and as part of the executive team, you will be responsible for implementing world-class processes, fostering continuous improvement and operational efficiencies, and supporting QA HE’s strategy for growth and consolidation. This is an exciting opportunity to lead wide-ranging operations, enhance student satisfaction, and support QA HE in maintaining its position as a best-in-class higher education provider, while simultaneously supporting the growth and transformation of the business.
Practical Considerations:
- Location: The headquarters are in London, which would be a good base for a candidate. However, there is flexibility to be based at the Birmingham or Manchester campuses as well. If you choose the latter options, you can expect weekly or fortnightly travel to London, especially in the initial phase.
- Salary: Competitive, ranging from £150,000 to £200,000, dependent on experience, with some flexibility for discussion. Annual bonuses (up to 20%) and long-term incentives are available, to be discussed on a discretionary basis.
- Benefits: 27 days of holiday (rising to 30 with continuous service), private healthcare (family membership available at an additional cost), life assurance, and a pension plan (4% employee and 5% employer contributions, with an option for salary sacrifice).
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid working with a mix of on-site and remote work. Initially, you will spend three days per week on-site, reducing to two days once settled.
Essential Criteria for Success:
To thrive as the new COO of QA HE, you will need the following:
- Extensive leadership experience in large, complex organisations, ideally within higher education or similarly regulated environments. This will have likely been gained in an existing COO capacity or a highly experienced Group Director of Operations role.
- A strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach to problem-solving, with experience in the following portfolio areas: estates management, compliance, registry, business operations, and student operations and services.
- A track record of driving operational excellence and successfully leading large, multi-disciplinary teams through change and transformation, introducing best practices, and streamlining processes.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive improvements in efficiency while maintaining a focus on student and staff satisfaction.
- Excellent communication skills, along with high levels of emotional intelligence and discretion, capable of building relationships across teams and working closely with the C-Suite to align operations with strategic goals.
- A forward-thinking, hands-on approach, with the ability to manage crises calmly and effectively. Resilience and the ability to operate under pressure, with a measured and considered approach during periods of growth and ambiguity.
How to apply:
This is a high-visibility role, offering the opportunity to shape the future of QA HE and make a significant impact on the organisation and its students’ continued success. If you are ready to bring your leadership experience as a COO to an innovative and disruptive higher education provider and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of higher education, please do get in touch.
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to QA Higher Education. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisements. The closing date for applications at present is 12pm on Monday 21st October, although shortlisting and interviewing will take place on an ongoing basis. Whilst all applications before the closing date will be given a fair opportunity, we encourage you to apply sooner rather than later.
Should you wish to discuss the role further or for details on how to progress your application, please direct all enquiries to our advising consultants Eva Tomka and Akhil Yerneni, contactable on eva.tomka@andersonquigley.com and akhil.yerneni@andersonquigley.com.