Head of Operations RAi UK

University of Southampton - Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

The opportunity has arisen for a Level 6 Head of Operations, RAi UK.

About RAi UK

RAi UK is a £31 million national programme creating a comprehensive ecosystem for responsible AI research and innovation across the United Kingdom. Funded by UKRI, the programme spans 28 universities, 150+ non-academic partner organisations, and an international network of collaborators across 45 countries.

The programme operates through five distinct funding streams — Keystone, Cornerstone, Satellite, Impact Accelerator and International Partnership projects — and is structured as a true multi-institutional consortium. RAi UK does not sit within a single institution; it convenes, coordinates and stewards a distributed national effort with a shared governance framework, shared outcomes and collective accountability to UKRI and to the public.

The Opportunity

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced operations leader to shape the infrastructure of a nationally significant research programme. As Head of Operations you will provide the organisational spine that holds a complex, multi-HEI consortium together — enabling world-class responsible AI research to happen at scale.

You will work directly with the CEO and the RAi UK Leadership Team to align operational capability with strategic ambition, and you will act as the principal operational authority for a programme that spans institutions, disciplines, sectors and geographic boundaries.

Critically, this role goes well beyond single-institution programme management. You will be responsible for designing and sustaining operational systems that work equitably and effectively across 20+ university partners, managing relationships with multiple institutional administrators and research offices simultaneously, and building the cross-institutional coordination capacity that a programme of this scale demands.

The post will:

• Act as RAi UK lead on operational matters providing expert yet pragmatic advice and guidance to senior management across RAi UK
• Provide core input to the development of RAi UK’s Strategic Plan and related guidance to enable RAi UK to respond to changes in the UK’s AI landscape
• Support RAi UK’s funding and participation in large complex, often innovative projects and partnerships, yet effectively manage the risks of doing so.
• Have responsibility for leading a team of highly skilled professionals, actively seeking to support career progression and attract new talent, to deliver RAi UK.

RAi UK is located within the School of Electronics and Computer Science, part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences,which is at the forefront of research across all its disciplines, has an active knowledge exchange and enterprise ecosystem and a mission to provide exceptional education that prepares the next generation of engineers and scientists to tackle global challenges through collaboration with industry and research institutions.

As a University we aim to create a sustainable and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates who are committed to supporting this objective. The University holds an Athena SWAN silver award. We are also committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible organisation. The University has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

The University offers a generous holiday allowance, additional University closure days, and excellent family leave provisions, also pension scheme membership, subsidised health and fitness facilities and a range of discounts.

This role is offered on a fixed term basis until 31 March 2028 and is based at Highfield campus. For further information about the position, please email Jennie Calder-Smith (J.M.Calder-Smith@soton.ac.uk)