Department Operations Manager

University of Bath; Bathampton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Department Operations Manager to coordinate and lead non-technical operations within the Digital, Data & Technology Group. This permanent position requires proven experience in operations management, the ability to lead teams, and outstanding communication skills. Responsibilities include coordinating governance meetings, managing departmental processes, and providing strategic support to leadership. The role offers competitive salary and a positive, inclusive working environment.

Benefits

Free counselling services

Cycle to work scheme

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

Gym discounts

Generous leave allowance

Relocation allowance

Visa reimbursement

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing operations or administration in a complex environment.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams to achieve high-quality outcomes.
• Confidence in managing competing priorities and implementing governance processes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate governance, leadership, and management meetings.
• Lead non-technical processes and policies across the department.
• Provide high-quality administrative and strategic support to senior leaders.
• Lead budget planning and support HR-related processes.

Skills

Leadership and team motivation

Operations or administration management

Communication skills

Proactive approach

Job description

Department Operations Manager

Department: Digital, Data & Technology Group

Salary: Starting from £38,249, rising to £45,413

Grade: Grade 7

Contract Type: Full Time, Open Ended

Closing Date: Sunday 04 January 2026

Interview Date: Wednesday 14 January 2026

Reference: KD13246

About the role

Are you ready to lead and coordinate the operations that keep a digital department running efficiently?

We are seeking an experienced professional to join our Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT) Group a pivotal role ensuring the department operates smoothly and effectively in support of the universitys strategic ambitions.

As a Department Operations Manager, you will lead all non-technical operations and administration within the department. You will work closely with the Chief Digital Officer and senior leadership team, overseeing governance processes, coordinating key meetings, managing reporting to university committees, and ensuring clear and timely communications across the department and beyond. Youll need to engage confidently with senior decision-makers while remaining approachable and supportive to colleagues at all levels, building trust and ensuring effective collaboration across the department.

Acting as the first point of contact for non-specialist queries, you will build strong working relationships with colleagues in HR, Finance, and other professional services. You will also lead a small, diverse team, creating a positive, collaborative, and inclusive working environment that supports staff wellbeing, cohesion, and recognition.

Key responsibilities in this role include

• Coordinate governance, leadership, and management meetings, ensuring reports and papers are submitted on time.
• Lead all aspects of non-technical processes and policies across the department, driving consistency and minimising duplication.
• Manage departmental communications and facilities, ensuring a safe and well‑organised working environment.
• Provide high‑quality administrative and strategic support to senior leaders.
• Lead budget planning and support HR‑related processes in partnership with business colleagues.

About you

You will have

• Proven experience managing operations or administration in a complex environment, ideally in higher education or the public sector.
• The ability to lead and motivate teams to achieve high‑quality outcomes.
• Confidence in managing competing priorities and implementing effective governance and reporting processes.
• Sound judgement, a proactive approach, and excellent communication skills when engaging a wide range of stakeholders.

Further information

This role is offered on a full time, (36.5 hours per week) permanent basis.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Laura Somoza, Portfolio Management Office (PMO) Analyst. However, please ensure that you submit your application through the university's website.

The interviews will take place on 14 January 2026 (and 15 January 2026 if needed) shortly after shortlisting and will include a formal interview, an assessment, and a meet the team session.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected, and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality, receiving a Silver Athena SWAN Award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from underrepresented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader, and an autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

What we can offer you

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

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video on our website to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work, as well as following us on X and LinkedIn.

RighttoWork in the UK

We do not assess immigration or right to work status until the offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship, and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting

We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.