Chief Operating Officer

University of South Wales; Pontypridd; On-site; GBP 140,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of South Wales is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to translate strategic ambition into effective delivery across campuses in South Wales. The role is based across USW campuses with travel as required, reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive.

As a senior executive, you will provide strategic leadership across people and organisational development, estates infrastructure, digital capability and student-facing services, ensuring an agile, efficient and sustainable

Job description

Chief Operating Officer

Company: University of South Wales

Salary: from £155,397 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Pontypridd, CF37 1DL

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 16 Oct 2026

Closing date: 30 Oct 2026

Summary

The University of South Wales is a major, modern civic university rooted in South Wales, with a proud commitment to student success, applied research, innovation, partnership working, regional impact and widening access. As the University responds to a challenging and changing higher education environment, we are seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to help translate strategic ambition into effective delivery.

Based across the University of South Wales campuses, with travel across the University and externally as required, this role offers the opportunity to utilise your strategic leadership, organisational development, digital, estates and student services expertise at Executive level.

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, the Chief Operating Officer is a key member of the University Executive, providing strategic leadership across people and organisational development, estates infrastructure, digital capability and student-facing services. The postholder will work collegiately with academic and professional services leaders to ensure that USW has an agile, efficient and sustainable operating model that enables delivery of the University strategy.

This is a full‑time, permanent post.

If you are a successful candidate and this position will be your first professional services role at the University / RWCMD (or you are currently employed by PSS Ltd), you will be employed by Professional and Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of South Wales, which provides services to the University and Colleges.

Discover the advantages of working with us at USW: https://tinyurl.com/PSSatUSW

USW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All those working at the University are expected to share this commitment.

We are committed to employing a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment. Where colleagues can be themselves and every person is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and communities, especially with regards to age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and religion and/or belief. We benchmark our success through equality accreditations with Athena Swan,Race Equality Charter, Stonewall and Disability Confident.

If you’re a Welsh learner or a Welsh speaker, we’d be delighted to receive your application. At USW, you’ll have access to Welsh courses to enable you to develop your Welsh skills further, in order to provide a bilingual service to our students, colleagues and the public.

We welcome applications in Welsh and English. Applications in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than those made in English.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident: Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.