PEN Group
Chief Academic Officer
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Chief Academic Officer
Leading academic excellence across a new generation of higher education institutions
Location
Canary Wharf, London, UK (travel across institutions in UK)
Salary
Competitive Executive Package.
Help shape the future of higher education
PEN Group is seeking an outstanding academic leader to join our executive team as Chief Academic Officer (CAO), providing strategic academic leadership across our growing portfolio of higher education institutions and partnerships. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced university leader to help shape the future of higher education delivery across both public and independent sectors. Working closely with institutional leaders, governing bodies, and executive colleagues, the CAO will champion academic quality, regulatory compliance, student success, innovation, and institutional excellence across the Group.
About You
We are looking for an individual who has operated at Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) or Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) level within a UK university and who brings a deep understanding of the UK's higher education landscape. Particularly in terms of collaborative partnerships between public and private sector HEIs.
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The successful candidate will ideally have:
- Significant senior leadership experience within a UK university
- Experience spanning both public and private higher education environments
- A strong understanding and experience of current partnerships between universities and independent higher education providers.
- A successful track record of academic quality assurance, governance, and regulatory engagement.
- Experience supporting institutional growth, innovation, and student outcomes.
- The credibility and presence to engage with vice-chancellors, regulators, governing boards, and external stakeholders.
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The Role
As Chief Academic Officer, you will:
- Provide strategic academic leadership across PEN Group's institutions.
- Lead academic quality, standards, governance, and enhancement activities.
- Support institutional leaders in delivering outstanding student experiences and outcomes.
- Oversee regulatory engagement and institutional readiness.
- Drive innovation in learning, teaching, and academic partnerships.
- Help identify and realise opportunities for growth across the Group's expanding and diverse educational portfolio.
Why Join PEN Group?
PEN Group is building a distinctive group of institutions committed to widening access, supporting student success, and creating new pathways into higher education. This role offers the opportunity to influence strategy at the highest level and leave a lasting impact on thousands of students across the UK and internationally.
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