The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word PROVOST
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
P
R
O
V
O
S
T
More clues leading to the result PROVOST
- College head redistributed poor TVs
- Expert playing East German college supremo
- University man, expert, very briefly East of Berlin
- Almost wander into office of cathedral official
- Racing driver securing victory over administrator
- IRA member on street becomes a dignitary
- Dignitary to ramble endlessly when installed in position
- 16 Administrator opposed to playing sport at job centre
- College head to take five in quiet resting-place
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Dignitary" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dignitary = provost.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PROVOST mean?
PROVOST noun- One placed in charge: a head, a chief, particularly:
- A senior deputy, a superintendent, particularly:
- A provost cell: a military cell or prison.
- (used in passive) To be delivered to a provost marshal for punishment.