Head of Operations

University of Bath; Bath; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension schemes

Cycle to work scheme

Staff benefits

Job summary

The SU Bath, in partnership with the University of Bath, invites applications for a newly created Head of Operations role in Bath. You will lead our central operations across finance, facilities, data and insight, and central administration, reporting to the Chief Executive, and shaping the organisation's operational foundations.

You will bring proven experience in multi‑functional leadership, develop teams, improve systems, and manage complex stakeholder relationships to deliver student-focused

Qualifications

• Experience leading multiple functional teams with operational leadership.
• Proven ability to improve systems and processes.
• Strong stakeholder management across internal and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead central operations across finance, facilities, data and insight, and central administration.
• Provide operational leadership, financial planning, risk and compliance, business continuity and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen systems and ways of working to enable teams to focus on student outcomes.

Job description

Salary Starting from £47,389, rising to £56,535

This is an exciting opportunity to join The SU Bath in a newly created senior leadership role at an important point in our development.

As Head of Operations, you’ll lead our central operations function across finance, facilities, data and insight, and central administration. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you’ll provide operational leadership across a broad portfolio, with responsibility for financial planning, organisational effectiveness, risk and compliance, business continuity and continuous improvement.

You’ll play a key role in strengthening our systems and ways of working, bringing people, processes and priorities together and creating the strong operational foundations that enable teams across The SU to focus on delivering for students.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced operational leader who can confidently lead across multiple functions and bring sound judgement, strong people leadership and a practical, solutions-focused approach.

We are not looking for an expert in every aspect of this role! You will have support through the expertise of our University and Sector specialists.

You will have experience of leading and developing teams, improving systems and processes, and managing relationships with internal and external partners. You’ll be comfortable working across competing priorities, influencing others and turning organisational priorities into action.

We’re looking for someone who can see the bigger picture, empower others and bring together the right expertise to achieve positive outcomes.

About SU

The SU is an independent charity based at the University of Bath.

We help students shape their experience at Bath University so they get the most out of their time here.

At our heart, we believe that being student-led achieves the best student experience, for the benefit of students, the University and for society at large.

Students' Unions are a place to work like no other; inclusive, progressive and community-driven, we exist to bring the best out of each other and the people we represent.

No two days are the same, and no SU is the same; with a network of over 600 UK-based Unions, there is a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself and build your career.

Selection process

If you are longlisted, you will be contacted by a member of the HR team to complete a short pre-screening evaluation.

Candidates who successfully progress through the shortlisting stage will be invited to attend an interview on:

• Thursday 01 October 2026 (In Person)

About the University

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
• Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app

We’re committed to creating a health-supporting working environment where everyone can thrive and be at their best. We offer a range of resources to enable you to do that from your first day here, including:

• Staff support groups and networks
• A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
• A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive

Right to Work in the UK:We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting:We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.