Head of Strategic Operations, CEL

UCL Eastman Dental Institute; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution is seeking a leader to oversee its operational strategy, ensuring effective delivery across high-profile educational programmes. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in operations within Higher Education, alongside proven skills in strategic planning and risk management. This role offers a competitive benefits package, including generous leave, pension schemes, and on-site facilities.

Benefits

41 Days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site gym

Enhanced family leave pay

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading complex operations in Higher Education or a comparable sector.
• Demonstrable experience in strategic planning and cross-organisational programme delivery.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead CEL’s operational strategy and delivery across multiple high-profile programmes.
• Oversee digital and data infrastructure, financial governance, and workforce planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability and inclusivity.

Skills

Leadership of multi-disciplinary teams

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Job description

About the role

The main purpose of this important role is to lead CEL’s operational strategy and delivery, driving efficiency, compliance, and innovation across multiple high-profile programmes. The post holder will oversee digital and data infrastructure, financial governance, and workforce planning, ensuring that CEL meets both UCL and DfE contractual obligations while enabling sustainable, high-quality delivery.

Working at the intersection of strategy, delivery, and governance, the post holder will lead on the development of operational frameworks and digital transformation initiatives that underpin CEL’s large-scale education programmes, including the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE) and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). The role ensures that the Centre’s systems, resources, and professional services teams operate cohesively to deliver exceptional service and strategic impact.

As a senior member of CEL’s leadership team, the post holder will provide direction to a professional services workforce of approximately 30 staff, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and continuous improvement. The role requires strong strategic oversight, sound judgement, and the ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across UCL and with external partners, ensuring CEL remains a national leader in educational leadership delivery and operational excellence.

This post is available until 30th August in the first instance.

Interviews are scheduled to take place in person, at the IOE, on Thursday 15th January.

About you

You will have significant experience leading complex operations within Higher Education or a comparable sector along with demonstrable experience of strategic planning, risk management, and cross-organisational programme delivery.

You will also have proven leadership of multi-disciplinary professional-services / administrative teams.

Your application form should address all the person specification points and should clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet each of the criteria.

It is important that the criteria are clearly numbered and that you provide a response to each one.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below :

• 41 Days holiday: 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days (pro rata for part time staff)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme (pro rata for part time staff)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance