Jim Irving

Experience

Before taking up his current post in January 2022, Jim held the role of academic registrar at York St John University from April 2017 to January 2022. In this role Jim provided advice and leadership on assurance, compliance and academic governance.

As academic registrar, Jim oversaw the delivery of effective quality management, assessment, records and data management, student system development, student and academic administration and graduation ceremonies. In addition, he supported the University’s registration with the Office for Students and led and contributed to projects including the introduction of a new scheme of assessment, the development of a data-led and risk-based approach to programme review and enhancement, and the University’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jim began his career in higher education at the University of Portsmouth in 2003, before moving to Imperial College London from 2005-2007 to lead the development of centralised timetabling. Jim returned to the south coast to take on a number of roles at the University of Southampton from 2007-2013.

From 2013-2017, Jim took on the role of deputy academic registrar and director of student services at York University, where he led a programme of business process review and student systems development focussed on enhancing the student experience and reducing administrative burden. He also contributed to major institutional projects – including the development of a new teaching building, and the international pathway college.

Jim is committed to authentic and collaborative leadership in higher education. At York St John University he was chair of the LGBT Staff Network and an active supporter of the Students’ Union, with whom he co-presented a podcast aiming to open discussion and reduce stigma around men’s mental health. Jim has been the professional development lead for ARC since 2019.