Director of Operations and Planning (Secondment)

TN United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Director of Operations and Planning for a pivotal maternity cover role. This strategic position involves managing complex projects and supporting governance processes at the highest levels. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organizational skills and emotional intelligence, with a proven track record in operational excellence. You will work closely with senior leadership to amplify the impact of the Vice President Operations and ensure the delivery of high-quality outcomes. If you are passionate about driving transformation and delivering strategic initiatives, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact.

Benefits

41 Days Holiday

Annual Leave Purchase Scheme

Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Season Ticket Loan

Relocation Scheme

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in managing complex projects and operations at a senior level.
• Exceptional organizational skills and emotional intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Drive planning and execution of key initiatives supporting professional services transformation.
• Manage cross-institutional projects and ensure effective communication across teams.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Project Management

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

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Director of Operations and Planning (Secondment), London

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Category: Logistics

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Reference: 17b7a759c68d

Job Views: 3

Posted: 10.05.2025

Expiry Date: 24.06.2025

Job Description:

About the role

Please note this will be a maternity cover available to internal secondees only from mid August to mid August. We have some flexibility on exact timings regarding these dates for the right candidate.

As Director of Operations and Planning, you will play a pivotal role in running the office of the Vice President Operations, acting as a strategic advisor, project manager, and trusted partner. You will drive the planning, coordination, and execution of key initiatives that support UCL’s professional services transformation. The role involves managing cross-institutional projects, ensuring effective communication and alignment across teams, and supporting governance processes at the highest levels. You will be responsible for amplifying the impact of the VPO, managing the flow of strategic information, and ensuring the delivery of operational objectives across a diverse and dynamic portfolio. Working closely with the VP Operations, Senior Leadership Team, and other key stakeholders, you will provide insight, focus, and cohesion, helping UCL deliver world-class professional services in support of its academic ambitions.

About you

You are a highly experienced strategic leader, with a strong background in managing complex projects, programmes, and operations at a senior level in a similar environment. You will also bring exceptional organisational skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate ambiguity with resilience and focus. Your communication skills, both written and verbal, are excellent, and you are adept at building relationships across a wide range of senior stakeholders. With a strategic mindset and a passion for operational excellence, you can balance long-term vision with day-to-day priorities. You are committed to delivering high-quality outcomes, championing UCL’s values of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and demonstrating a personal commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits, including:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service