Federated Telecoms Hub Operations Director (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge - Department of Engineering

Placed On: 10th April 2026

Closes: 23rd April 2026

Job Ref: NM49336

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Operations Director to function as the primary administrative and operational leader for the Federated Telecoms Hubs. This is a pivotal role that ensures the FTH operates with maximum efficiency, integrity, and compliance across its multi-institutional structure.

Reporting directly to the chair of the FTH Management and Governance Board, you will be responsible for the FTH's operational budget, governance frameworks, and administrative teams. You will translate the strategic vision for promoting technology transfer and commercialisation (including major initiatives such as the FTH Proof-of-Concept fund and the FTH IPR Pipeline) into flawless day-to-day execution.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Financial stewardship: Overseeing the entire multi-million-pound grant budget, managing complex inter-institutional resource allocation, financial forecasting, and sophisticated reporting to ensure all expenditures align with funder requirements and strategic goals.
• Governance: Establish and maintain robust, scalable governance structures, including collaboration agreements, Terms of Reference, and Confidentiality agreements. Ensuring comprehensive regulatory compliance in line with the funder's expectations and requirements.
• Strategic sustainability planning: Lead the critical internal preparations (including legal, IP, and financial structuring) required to successfully establish the FTH as an independent, enduring entity.
• Performance monitoring and assessment: Drive the collection and analysis of data quantifying the FTH's economic and technological contribution to date and informing future strategic decisions.

We are seeking a pragmatic, results-driven leader with a proven track record in large-scale, complex, and collaborative R and D environments who will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Experience of leading a high-impact research programme in academia or another major organisation.
• Experience of operating at a senior level within a business or academic organisation, with a proven track record of strategic planning, high-value partnerships, financial management and team leadership.
• Track record of business development, working at the most senior levels and demonstrating high-level negotiation and relationship management skills.
• In-depth awareness of the academic and industry context within which FTH operates.
• Knowledgeable about core areas of FTH's work, including the challenges of telecommunications innovation, technology transfer, early-stage research and development.
• Experience working with senior leaders in the public and private sectors as well as academia.
• Experience of presenting to and facilitating dialogue with senior industry audiences.
• Experience of presenting complex information in an accessible way to a broad audience.
• Experience of leading cross-functional teams and managing people.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2026 in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/55121.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR Office at the Department of Engineering (hr-office@eng.cam.ac.uk, 01223 332615).

Please quote reference NM49336 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.