Associate Director, Quality Assurance

Lead the University’s academic governance and quality assurance services supporting a distinctive and future-focussed education.

• Continuing, full-time role based at our Hillcrest Campus

• Additional university leave and competitive superannuation

• Flexible working, onsite parking and discounted gym membership

Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role

This is an exciting time for the University, and for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) portfolio as it builds a more connected experience for students from admission through to graduation. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is responsible for teaching and learning, curriculum oversight, academic governance and quality assurance, student administration and enrolment, and the pastoral care and support of students.

As the portfolio undergoes transformational change to better support student success, strengthen the student experience, and ensure services and leadership are aligned to the University’s future direction, this newly established role has been created.

You will provide leadership and management for the teams that deliver the University’s academic governance and quality services. Reporting to the Director of Academic Services, you will set strategic and operational direction across work-integrated learning, curriculum and programme development and approval, academic reviews and reporting, audit activity, and the University’s academic regulations and policies. You will work in partnership with academic units to keep quality processes coherent, effective and continuously improved. The role will contribute to shaping a more connected and responsive portfolio that enables students to thrive, supports staff to deliver high-quality services and learning experiences, and helps ensure the University continues to meet the evolving needs and expectations of its students.

While the purpose of the role is clear, there is genuine scope for the successful candidate to help shape how it evolves in practice. This is an opportunity to bring your expertise, influence direction, and make the role your own while contributing to the future of the University’s academic portfolio and the success of its students.

Salary will be in the range of $123,224 to $141,022 per year based on skills, knowledge and experience brought to the position. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours a week), based on our Hillcrest Campus.

For more information on the role please see the position description. For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Tim O’Brien, Director, Academic Services at [email protected]. All applications must be submitted through the online portal, emailed applications will not be accepted.

Ko wai koe? – Who are you?

You are a credible, calm and consultative leader in academic quality, able to balance institutional requirements, academic autonomy and practical realities with sound judgement. You translate quality frameworks into workable practice, lead well through change, and bring people with you. You hold a relevant tertiary qualification with substantial experience in academic quality assurance, academic governance or a closely related area, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and experience.

You will bring:

• demonstrated expertise in academic quality assurance and enhancement in a tertiary context, including governance support, qualification and programme development and approval, review and monitoring

• experience developing and interpreting regulations and policies, and strong functional knowledge of New Zealand sector quality requirements (including CUAP, NZQA and Universities New Zealand)

• demonstrated leadership experience in a complex organisation, including leading professional teams, coordinating work across multiple stakeholders and workstreams, and influencing senior leaders through clear, well-evidenced advice for governance committees

• capability in people leadership, developing team capability through coaching and feedback, and creating a positive, inclusive culture

• proven ability to coordinate curriculum and programme approval activity, and to lead evaluation and audit work, using qualitative and quantitative evidence to identify risk and drive improvement

• the ability to lead through change, manage multiple workstreams, and deliver high-quality outputs to agreed timelines

• a demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori, and the ability to apply this in leadership, decision-making and service delivery.

• A postgraduate qualification in education, leadership, management or quality assurance, experience designing or implementing an academic quality framework, project management experience, and system stewardship in a tertiary environment would each be an advantage.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

Research shows that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At The University of Waikato, we’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly match every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You might be just the right person for this or another opportunity on our team.

Ko wai mātou? – Who are we?

Situated within the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) portfolio, Quality Assurance provides advice and operational coordination for the development, review and enhancement of the University’s academic offerings.

We bring expertise in work-integrated learning, qualification and programme development and approval, and academic reviews and reporting. We maintain the University’s academic quality framework, lead audit activity and KPI reporting, and steward its academic regulations and policies as a clear source of truth, working in partnership with academic units and professional services to keep our quality systems coherent, effective and continuously improved.

He aha ngā take me tono mai ai koe? – Why should you apply for this position?

We want you to be part of our success! Our university stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths. Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits.

The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here.

Ko te Tangata – For the People

The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all.

E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.

Applications Close on Wednesday 28 October, 2026

Requisition number: 1003828