Global Operations Director University Services (6 months FTC)

QS Quacquarelli Symonds; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education services organization is looking for a Global Operations Director for University Services in London. The role involves overseeing global teams, driving operational strategies, and implementing transformative technology initiatives. Candidates should have experience in leadership, data analytics, and the higher education sector. This fixed term contract provides a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility in work arrangements. Join and make a significant impact in the higher education landscape.

Benefits

Free Calm App subscription

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

LinkedIn Learning subscription

Global mentorship program

Qualifications

• Experience managing a university recruitment and admissions service.
• Ability to work in a global environment across time zones.
• Experience in the higher education industry is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead global operations ensuring seamless delivery of services.
• Oversee daily service delivery for university partners.
• Implement new CRM systems aligned with digital transformation.

Skills

Leadership experience

Data analytics

Project management

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject

Postgraduate qualification preferred

Job description

Role

Global Operations Director University Services

Location

UK

Job type

Fixed term contract (6 months) - Hybrid

This position offers a hybrid work model allowing flexibility between working from home and our office.

Typically employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.

We are running a focused two-week pipeline build as the successful candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

• Application Deadline: 7th Dec
• Interview Schedule: Interviews will be conducted later that week (w/c 8th).

We encourage early applications as the role may close sooner if a strong shortlist is identified.

Why QS

At QS we believe that work should empower you. That's why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do: we collaborate, respect and support each other.

Its our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences we learn from one another and achieve more together driving progress across the sector.

At QS you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in the UK (October 2023) recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold‑accredited Investors in People organisation putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally its official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

The role

The Global Director of Operations for University Branded Services (UBS) is a senior operational leader responsible for ensuring that QS delivers world‑class admissions conversion and student‑success operations for our university partners across Australia, New Zealand, UK, North America and beyond. This role oversees distributed teams in Kuala Lumpur, Bangalore, London and Melbourne ensuring they are fully supported, resourced and optimised to meet ambitious performance targets and uphold QSs reputation for excellence.

This role is central to QS’s evolution as an AI‑enabled technology‑forward division. You will lead operational strategy and execution across our UBS portfolio championing new CRM systems, digital transformation initiatives and embedding data‑driven compliant and student‑centric processes at every stage of the recruitment and admissions journey.

This role will report into the Senior Vice President and will form part of the QS Wider Leadership Team and the Student Recruitment leadership team.

Role responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Delivery

• Lead global operations across KL, Bangalore, London and Melbourne ensuring seamless delivery of admissions conversion and student‑success services.
• Ensure all teams are resourced, trained, supported and performance‑managed to consistently achieve service‑level agreements (SLAs), KPIs and quotas.
• Drive operational discipline, workflow optimisation, resource modelling and process improvements across multi‑time‑zone teams.
• Oversee daily service delivery for university partners where QS operates as an extension of their brand ensuring our teams embody each institution’s voice, values and identity.

Technology, CRM & AI Transformation

• Lead implementation and adoption of new CRM systems and technology upgrades aligned with QS’s broader digital transformation strategy.
• Partner with the digital transformation programme team to embed AI‑enabled workflows, automation and predictive insights into operational processes.
• Champion best‑practice use of data analytics and technology to increase efficiency, visibility and student outcomes.

Client Excellence & Partner Collaboration

• Serve as the operational lead for a portfolio of prestigious university partners across ANZ, the UK and North America.
• Work closely with Client Delivery Team and Account Managers to ensure operational delivery aligns with partner expectations.
• Monitor KPIs and reporting dashboards to identify risks, opportunities and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure high satisfaction and retention by offering proactive, insight‑led operational recommendations to partners.

Admissions Compliance, Quality Assurance & Risk Management

• Uphold the highest standards of compliance across international and domestic admissions including:
• Fraud detection and prevention
• Document verification
• Visa and immigration guidance boundaries
• Quality assurance and audit processes
• Data security and GDPR
• Institutional state and federal compliance standards (ANZ, UK, US, Canada)
• Implement rigorous controls and governance frameworks to safeguard institutional integrity and student outcomes.

People Leadership

• Lead, inspire and develop a global team of admissions professionals, conversion specialists, student‑success advisors and operational managers.
• Foster a culture of high performance, accountability, coaching and continuous improvement.
• Support workforce planning, succession and recruitment in high‑growth, high‑demands environments.

Any other duties to ensure operational success of university branded services.

Key skills and experience

Demonstrated knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated leadership experience effectively managing and delivering a university recruitment and admissions service.
• Previous experience working within a cross‑functional team in the areas of domestic or international student recruitment.
• Demonstrated experience in reporting with an understanding of data analytics.
• Experience in establishing and articulating a vision, setting goals, developing and executing strategies, tracking and measuring results.
• Experience of managing budgets.
• Experience working within the higher education or education management industry in the area of international student recruitment and admissions is essential.

Technical skills and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (postgraduate qualification preferred) or equivalent experience.
• Experience building commercial models and costing operations.
• Strong operational background or experience.
• Willingness to work in a global environment across time zones.

Behavioural competencies

• Strong organisation and project management skills.
• Demonstrated team leadership ability.
• Ability to understand critical issues and bring appropriate resolution to complex issues.
• Ability to gather and document quality business requirements.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, verbal and written.

So who are we and what do we do

QS is the world’s leading provider of services, analytics, insights and intelligence to the global higher education sector – supporting university excellence across the world. Our student recruitment and enrolment solutions enable universities and business schools to connect with talented individuals seeking to further their academic progress and career development. Our portfolio of professional services includes consultancy, student mobility and academic partnerships management and branding solutions. We publish highly visible and influential rankings of international universities including the QS World University Rankings which reaches a global audience of hundreds of millions of people.

Founded in 1990 our activities span across 50 countries working with over 2000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions and over 12000 employers.

Headquartered in London QS has over 800 employees globally with offices in Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany and the USA. QS keeps growing organically through acquisition and by recruiting top talent across key regions.

We take investing in our people very seriously.

Outside of the standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep meditation and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs including a peer‑to‑peer recognition platform quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn Learning with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard – Great apply now!

As a candidate we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together and enable our business to thrive.

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