Director of Faculty Operations, Faculty of Medical Sciences & Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Eng

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a Director of Faculty Operations to provide strategic leadership within the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. This pivotal role involves overseeing professional services to ensure high-quality support for education and research. The selected candidate will lead transformative initiatives and build strong partnerships across faculties, promoting an inclusive culture where all colleagues can thrive. Excellent benefits and a supportive work environment are offered.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Great pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Experienced senior leader with a track record of leading complex professional services operations.
• Skilled in delivering large-scale change and working in partnership with academic leaders.
• Strong strategic insight, financial and organizational acumen.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Faculty professional services.
• Lead change, transformation, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee Faculty planning, performance, risk, budgets, and workforce strategy.
• Build partnerships across the University and represent the Faculty.
• Promote a positive, inclusive culture.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Change management

Financial acumen

Collaborative leadership

Job description

Role Overview

Newcastle University is seeking two outstanding, values-driven leaders to take up the role of Director of Faculty Operations (DoFO) one within the Faculty of Medical Sciences and one within the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. These are pivotal senior roles, providing strategic leadership for Professional Services across two of the University's three academic faculties and contributing to the delivery of Newcastle University's ambitions under Next Generation Newcastle. The role reports directly to the respective Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor, with a dotted line to the Registrar, and you will lead and integrate professional services across the Faculty Office, Schools and Institutes, ensuring high-quality, efficient and student‑centred support for education, research and external engagement. As a member of the Faculty Executive Board and the University's senior Professional Services leadership community, you will play a key role in shaping Faculty and University strategy, driving transformation, and strengthening alignment between Faculty and University-wide services. The Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) is internationally recognised for excellence in medical research, education and clinical partnerships, with strong links to the NHS and global activity including the University's campus in Malaysia (NUMed).

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Faculty professional services, ensuring exceptional service delivery and alignment with University priorities
• Lead change, transformation and continuous improvement, including digital innovation
• Oversee Faculty planning, performance, risk, budgets and workforce strategy
• Build strong partnerships across the University and represent the Faculty on University-wide committees and initiatives
• Promote a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive and perform at their best

Qualifications

You will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record of leading complex professional services operations, delivering large-scale change, and working in partnership with academic leaders. You will bring strategic insight, financial and organisational acumen, and a collaborative, values-led leadership style.

Benefits

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package, plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you. Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, believing that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.