Deputy Chief Operating Officer

University of Nottingham; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking a Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) to drive strategic oversight and improve operational services in alignment with academic needs. Candidates should have a solid leadership background in higher education, with a focus on collaboration, data analysis, and performance management. The role is crucial for the university's advancement under its Future Nottingham modernization program, ensuring a robust connection between academic and operational functions.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Solid track record of leadership across diverse services in Higher Education.
• Ability to operate in a changing environment.
• Demonstrated skills in building collaboration to deliver shared objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight for operational services in relation to academic delivery.
• Drive improvement in systems, processes, and data.
• Engage with academic and professional services leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Data Analysis

People Management

Performance Management

Job description

The University of Nottingham is entering a new chapter in its journey as a globally engaged, research-intensive institution. With a bold vision for the future, underpinned by a significant modernisation programme – Future Nottingham – we are seeking to appoint a Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) to join the University and play a central role in delivering our ambitions.

We are proud to be a member of the Russell Group and Universitas 21, with an international footprint through campuses in the UK, China, and Malaysia. We are consistently ranked among the top universities globally and are recognised for our commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and impact. With a strategy focused on collaboration, creativity, and impact, we are deeply embedded in our local and international communities. We play a vital role in the economic and social development of Nottingham and the wider region, and our campuses are award-winning, environmentally conscious, and designed to foster wellbeing, inclusion, and innovation.

Appointing our new DCOO will be key to achieving our plans. Whilst we are progressing well with Future Nottingham, the services that sit within the role’s portfolio are critical to the University’s infrastructure and therefore its advancement.

Our new DCOO provides strategic oversight to ensure a strong and effective connection between academic delivery and the academic enabling functions that support it. The role ensures that operational services fully understand and respond to what academic delivery needs to succeed, driving excellence across the student lifecycle. It will be the key engagement point between academic and professional services leaders, driving consistent improvement in systems, processes and data.

Candidates should have a solid track record of leadership across a diverse range of services in Higher Education. They should be particularly strong at building collaboration that deliver shared objectives, using data and analysis to navigate the best path. The ability to operate in a changing environment will be important, as will people management and driving performance.

The University of Nottingham has a clear set of core expectations and behaviours that colleagues should demonstrate in their work. Information is available in the further particulars and candidates will be expected to illustrate how they personally embed them.

The university offers a variety of benefits, both personal and professional to help support you as valued member of the institution. To find out more visit our benefits website.

How to Apply

To learn more and apply for this post, visit the Berwick Partners website.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Tuesday 20th January 2026