Head of Operations

University of Birmingham - College of Social Sciences

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to June 2027

Background

Based across our world-class campuses in Birmingham and Dubai, the College of Social Sciences (CoSS) is a global, diverse, and inclusive community of currently more than 12,500 students, 900 academics, and 300 professional services staff. We are committed to our strategic goal of driving social change for a fairer and more sustainable world. Our staff and students benefit from being in communities with rich cultures and contribute to the regional and global workforce and economy. Our four schools – Business, Education, Government, and Social Policy and Society – are in the vanguard of innovative and impactful research and teaching across social science.

This role would be based in the School of Social Policy and Society. The School delivers a suite of undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and executive education programmes to a diverse and international student population. We undertake research that matters, collaborating with our research partners from the private, public and third sectors from across the world.

Role Summary

The Head of Operations (HoOp) plays a key role in supporting the Head of School to deliver on University, College and School strategy. The role balances strategic thinking with delivering operational excellence through leadership of the professional services teams, frequently requiring the post-holder to translate complex strategy into operational plans.

Reporting into the College Director of Operations HoOps are key members of the School Strategic Management team, College Professional Services Strategic Leadership Team (PSSLT), and College Management Network. The HoOp role is a College role, based locally within a School, and part of a team of senior professional services leads within the College. Flexibility is a key aspect of this position, with occasional cover and support to other Schools within the College based on operational demand and business need

The HoOp will be required to work strategically with excellent communication and leadership skills, significant operational experience, and a commitment to continuous improvement of excellent service delivery through a collaborative and inclusive approach.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus relevant leadership experience in complex operational delivery, preferably within the Higher Education sector

Informal enquiries can be made to Yvonne Hackforth-Williams, Director of Operations, College of Social Sciences, email: y.e.williams@bham.ac.uk or Professor Nicola Gale, Head of School, School of Social Policy and Society, email: n.gale@bham.ac.uk.

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.