Operations Lead (Maternity Cover) (Part Time)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) at the University of Cambridge is seeking an experienced Operations Lead to provide maternity cover and ensure continuity of its day-to-day operations.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and coordination skills.
• Financial awareness and budgeting experience.
• Experience across multiple operational functions (finance, HR, recruitment, administration).
• Experience in a university, research, or similarly complex environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate operational priorities across finance, HR, recruitment, resource planning and administration.
• Supervise operational support and resolve non-routine issues.
• Provide clear information to support decision-making.

Skills

Organisational skills

Coordination

Financial awareness

HR experience

Job description

The Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) is seeking an experienced Operations Lead to provide maternity cover and ensure continuity of its day-to-day operations.

Based at the Whittle Laboratory in West Cambridge and working with the AIA Director and wider team, you will coordinate operational priorities across areas including finance, HR, recruitment, resource planning and administration. You will also supervise operational support, resolve non-routine issues and provide clear information to support decision-making.

We are looking for someone with strong organisational and coordination skills, good judgement, financial awareness and experience of working across multiple operational functions. Experience within a university, research or similarly complex environment would be an advantage.

For full details of the role and person specification, please see the further particulars document.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 27 September 2026.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and if you have any queries regarding either the vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR Office in the first instance on [e-mail] or 01223 332615.

Please quote reference NM51055 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.