Head of Student Lifecycle Services (Progression & Awards)

What we offer

• 41 days' holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• Option to purchase 5 additional days' annual leave
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and immigration loan
• Relocation support for eligible posts
• On-site nursery and gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Staff Support Service (employee assistance programme)
• Discounted medical insurance

Full details: UCL Rewards and Benefits.

About us

Student and Registry Services (SRS) provides essential services across the student lifecycle, supporting UCL faculties and departments to deliver a high-quality student experience. Within SRS, Student Lifecycle Services is responsible for the operational management and assurance of taught student records from enrolment through to progression, award and the production of official academic records.

As part of Student Operations, Student Lifecycle Services is led through two complementary Head of Student Lifecycle Services roles, with each postholder accountable for a defined service portfolio while sharing responsibility for a coherent, resilient and student-centred end-to-end student lifecycle service.

We are looking for an experienced student lifecycle professional to join us as Head of Student Lifecycle Services (Progression and Awards). This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for services that are fundamental to the integrity of UCL's academic administration and the student experience.

About the role

As Head of Student Lifecycle Services (Progression and Awards), you will provide strategic leadership for UCL's results, progression, awards and official academic records services across undergraduate, postgraduate taught, affiliate and other taught student populations.

You will lead the Student Lifecycle Managers within your portfolio, ensuring high-performing, inclusive and resilient teams, and provide strategic oversight of the annual results, progression and awards cycle. You will act as the senior business process owner, ensuring academic regulations and decisions are translated into accurate, timely and controlled student outcomes and official documentation.

Working collaboratively across faculties, departments and professional services, you will lead service improvement, strengthen governance and resilience, and shape the development of student lifecycle systems and processes. You will use data, user feedback and sector insight to drive continuous improvement and ensure services remain student-centred, compliant and fit for the future.

Please note, this role is offered on a full-time basis with hybrid working available, currently a minimum of 1-day per week in our London Kings Cross office (subject to change) plus onsite events when required

Job Ref: B01-05765

Closing Date: 30-10-2026 - 23:59 (UK time)

About you

You will be an experienced student lifecycle professional with substantial senior experience of results, progression, awards or official academic records within a complex higher education environment. You will have a strong understanding of the UK higher education student lifecycle and the academic, policy and regulatory environment affecting progression and awards.

You will have experience of leading high-volume, deadline-critical services and managing managers, alongside a strong track record in strategic service leadership, service redesign and organisational or digital change. You will be confident owning complex processes, controls, risks and data quality, and using management information and user feedback to improve services and inform decisions.

A collaborative and inclusive leader, you will have excellent influencing and communication skills, strong strategic judgement and the ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across organisational boundaries. You will be comfortable making evidence-based decisions in complex circumstances and remaining calm and accountable during high-pressure operational periods. Experience of SITS or another enterprise student information system, and of working with product, agile delivery or technology teams, would be desirable.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL's workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and - for Grade 9 and 10 roles - women.

UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with UCL's policies on: Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Personal Relationships Policy