ADS Director of Operations

This is an exciting period of strategic transformation at Aston University, Birmingham. Aston 2030 Strategy promises to redesign the development planning and delivery of professional education and training programmes around the needs of employers, businesses, and local communities.

Aston University is embarking on a significant expansion of its doctoral programmes and partnerships with an ambition to double doctoral student numbers to 1,000+ by 2030. The Aston Doctoral School (ADS) is responsible for such advancement and will be known for its vitality, the rigour of its doctoral programmes and commitment to providing sector-leading, researcher-led training for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers as well as early career academics. The Doctoral School also plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of a positive research culture and environment for enhanced doctoral and postdoctoral researchers’ experience.

The Director of Operations, who will be based in ADS, will provide operational leadership for the University’s doctoral provision (PhD and Professional Doctorates such as DBA) and postdoctoral researchers (ECR) support, ensuring academic quality, student experience, regulatory compliance, and innovation, while developing national and international doctoral partnerships, including joint and dual awards. The Director of Operations will report directly to and be line-managed by the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise (REF, Doctoral School and International Research).

The successful candidate will have experience of operational leadership and process improvement, knowledge of the external policy environment in which the Higher Education sector operates and issues pertinent to doctoral research, together with an ability to work authoritatively and respectfully with stakeholders across the University.

What we offer:

Aston University is a dynamic and vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
The role is offered as 'dynamic working', which means working both on campus (expected on campus 3 days per week) and from home dependent on the activity. Further information on dynamic working can be found here.
Excellent training and development opportunities.
A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days bank holiday and University Closure days.
Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers
Great family friendly policies
On site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available
Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here