Director of Operations and Planning (Secondment)

UK Dementia Research Institute; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in London is seeking a Director of Operations and Planning for maternity cover. This role involves strategic advising, project management, and enhancing operational excellence across professional services. The successful candidate will manage complex projects and collaborate with senior stakeholders to support the university's academic mission.

Benefits

41 Days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Enhanced maternity pay

Employee assistance programme

Discounted medical insurance

Qualifications

• Experienced strategic leader in managing complex projects.
• Exceptional organizational skills and emotional intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Drive planning and execution of key initiatives.
• Manage cross-institutional projects and ensure effective communication.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Project Management

Communication

Organizational Skills

Job description

Director of Operations and Planning (Secondment)

UCL is London’s Global University, recognised for its world-leading research, teaching, and innovation. The Vice President Operations (VPO) function is central to enabling UCL’s academic mission, delivering exceptional services across professional operations that support eleven Faculties and a vibrant global community. With approximately 1,500 professional services staff, the VPO team provides brilliant basics through transformational change and operational excellence, aligned with UCL’s five-year strategic plan. Our portfolio includes Faculty Operations, Recruitment and Admissions, Strategic Change, Information Services, the Professional Services Hub, Student Registry Services, and Research Technology Platforms. We are committed to embedding a customer-first approach and leading initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, sustainability, and the student experience.

About the role

Please note this will be a maternity cover available to internal secondees only from mid August 2025 to mid August 2026. 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 within 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
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, fairness, and inclusivity, and to creating a place where everyone feels they belong.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce, including people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and, for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

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