Contract and Operations Manager (International Study Centre)

University of Bath; Bath; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension schemes

Cycle to work scheme

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice

Staff gym discount

Postgraduate tuition discounts

Professional development opportunities

Relocation support

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

The University of Bath seeks a highly motivated Contract and Operations Manager to run the partnership with Study Group and oversee its day-to-day delivery. You will act as the primary contact, safeguard effective governance, financial oversight, and continuous improvement across the collaboration, reporting to the Head of International Student Recruitment.

You will collaborate with University colleagues and Study Group stakeholders, balance competing priorities with sound judgement, and operate

Qualifications

• Experience in contract or partnership management in a complex organisation.
• Experience managing complex budgets and following financial procedures.
• Proven ability to influence across multiple departments and deliver policy, processes or projects.
• Ability to communicate complex information to varied audiences.
• Experience coordinating and chairing committees within governance structures.
• Demonstrated diplomacy, judgement and prioritisation in a complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Partnership and Contract Management: oversee the partnership with Study Group and ensure contractual obligations are delivered.
• Governance and Committee Management: coordinate governance structures and committee activities.
• Financial and Budget Management: manage budgets and financial procedures for the partnership.
• Data, Records and Systems Management: maintain accurate data and reporting systems.
• Recruitment, Marketing and Admissions: support related activities as needed.
• Stakeholder Liaison and Coordination: engage university and external stakeholders effectively.
• Operational Support and Problem Solving: provide proactive support and issue resolution.
• Reporting and Administration: produce regular reports and administrative tasks as required.

Skills

Contract management

Budget management

Matrix management

Stakeholder liaison

Governance

Diplomacy

Education

Degree level or equivalent experience

Job description

The University is seeking to appoint a highly-motivated Contract and Operations Manager who will be responsible for managing the University's relationship with Study Group, as well as for the day-to-day management of the partnership. Acting as the primary point of contact and oversight, you will work closely with colleagues across the University and with Study Group stakeholders to support effective governance, financial management, operational delivery, and continuous improvement of the partnership. You will ensure that the partnership agreement is effectively implemented, monitored and evaluated, supporting the successful delivery of all contractual obligations, and fostering a collaborative and productive working relationship between the University and Study Group. The role requires the ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders across the University and externally, using sound judgement and a solutions-focused approach to support the successful operation of the partnership. The PVC (Global Engagement) will provide overall direction, but you will be expected to have considerable autonomy and to show significant initiative. The role will sit within the International Student Recruitment team, inside the Directorate of Student Recruitment and Admissions, and will report to the Head of International Student Recruitment. Key responsibilities include:

• Partnership and Contract Management
• Governance and Committee Management
• Financial and Budget Management
• Data, Records and Systems Management
• Recruitment, Marketing and Admissions
• Stakeholder Liaison and Coordination
• Operational Support and Problem Solving
• Reporting and Administration, You will be expected to work flexibly in support of key partnership activities and meetings, and may from time to time be required to support the work of Student Recruitment and Admissions commensurate with the grade of the role. Occasional weekend or evening work may be required. You will be educated to degree level or have equivalent relevant professional experience.

You should have experience of:

• contract or partnership management in a complex organisation
• managing complex budgets, dealing with financial issues and following financial procedures
• successful matrix management, influencing colleagues across multiple departments to deliver on policy, processes and/or projects
• relationship development and management with the ability to communicate complex or detailed information to a variety of audiences
• coordinating and chairing committees, formal meetings and working within governance structures
• operating in a complex environment requiring diplomacy, judgement, and the ability to balance differing priorities

Experience of working within the higher education sector is desirable, along with knowledge of international student pathway provision or transnational education partnerships.

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
• Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
• Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.Be Well at Bath We're committed to creating a health-supporting working environment where everyone can thrive and be at their best. We offer a range of resources to enable you to do that from your first day here, including:

• Staff support groups and networks
• A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
• A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive