Business and Operations Manager

As one of the world's oldest and most successful Universities, the University of Cambridge has an outstanding reputation for academic achievement and research and is consistently ranked among the foremost universities in the world. Our academic and research endeavours that help us work towards our mission are supported by the work taking place across the six Schools. The School of Arts and Humanities is seeking an experienced Business and Operations Manager assigned to the Faculty of English.

The Faculty has 49 established University Teaching Officers (UTOs), most of whom also have an affiliation to a College; there are also 37 Teaching Officers in English employed by Colleges (CTOs), who are also members of the Faculty; there are also 23 Research Fellows and Early Career Researchers. In addition, there are currently 12 administrative, secretarial and computing staff. The Faculty currently has around 200 postgraduate students and 620 undergraduates. The Faculty includes the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic (ASNC). ASNC has 9 established UTOS, 70 undergraduates, and about 30 postgraduate students (MPhil and PhD).

The Faculty is located at 9 West Road in a building opened in October 2004. The building holds a library, teaching and research facilities, offices for University Teaching Officers and a social area.

The purpose of the role of Business Operations Manager is to support the Chair of Faculty in achieving the Faculty's strategic aims and objectives in support of teaching and research, in relation to governance, policy and business operations.

About you

Reporting to Secretary of the School of Arts and Humanities you will be a proactive and experienced professional able to lead operational and strategic planning across the faculty. Working closely with the Chair of Faculty, you will drive key priorities, contribute to policy development, and support long-term decision-making. You will lead the faculty's professional services team, ensuring high-quality support for research and teaching activities. The role involves overseeing day-to-day operations, resource planning, and fostering a collaborative, service-focused culture. A significant area of responsibility includes managing the faculty's financial resources. You will prepare projections and forecasts, review budgets, and ensure alignment between financial planning and strategic objectives. You will also be responsible for leading on and contributing to School-wide developments through the management of projects or a functional area.

Educated to degree level or with equivalent experience, you will have people management skills, with experience of leading and managing large teams of support staff with evidence of managing for quality results.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of a leading academic institution, working at the heart of a vibrant and intellectually stimulating School. You'll be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team, with opportunities to shape the future of professional services in a dynamic and evolving environment.

If you have a strong commitment to the academic mission of the University and to the development of a cohesive, confident, collaborative and delivery-focused professional services team, we would like to hear from you.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please upload your CV and Cover letter to the application. Please note that additional uploaded documents will not be considered as part of recruitment.

Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed and should be directed to Ben Warn, Secretary of the School of Arts and Humanities, Email: ben.warn@admin.cam.ac.uk

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Karin Kuchta, HR Coordinator, Email: acdhr@admin.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference AK48753 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Apply online