Senior Global Operations Manager - 2 year FTC

UCL Eastman Dental Institute; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned higher education institution seeks a Senior Global Operations Manager to lead the management of complex international projects and initiatives. You will collaborate with partners, drive workstream coordination, and ensure effective governance. Ideal candidates will have experience in international higher education, excellent coordination skills, and a relevant postgraduate qualification. The role requires adaptability and a willingness to travel. Great benefits include extensive vacation, pension scheme, and on-site amenities.

Benefits

41 Days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Enhanced parental pay

Employee assistance programme

Discounted medical insurance

Qualifications

• Experience managing and delivering complex international projects.
• Strong understanding of internationalisation challenges and opportunities.
• Ability to produce compelling business cases and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day project management of international initiatives.
• Support potential development of overseas physical presence.
• Act as operational liaison for international partners.

Skills

Relationship building

Project management

International higher education knowledge

Risk analysis

Adaptability

Education

Relevant postgraduate qualification

Project management accreditation

Job description

About the role

As Senior Global Operations Manager, you will play a key role in delivering UCL’s most ambitious global projects. Reporting to the Associate Director (Global Operations), you will lead the day‑to‑day project management, operational planning and delivery of complex, institution‑level international initiatives.

A key focus will be supporting the potential development of UCL’s overseas physical presence in partnership with Tsinghua University. You will drive workstream coordination across Faculties and Professional Services, contribute to business case development, maintain project plans and risk registers, and ensure robust governance pathways are followed.

You will act as an operational liaison for international partners, supporting them to navigate UCL’s systems and processes, and will manage inbound and outbound visits, preparing high‑quality briefing materials for senior leaders. The role also contributes to internal and external communications, provides secretariat support for committees, and champions effective project management practices across Global Engagement.

This is a high‑visibility, fast‑paced role requiring independent judgment, excellent coordination skills and a deep understanding of international higher education.

Please note that this role is available as a secondment for internal UCL staff, or a 2‑year FTC.

About you

You will bring significant experience managing and delivering complex international projects or programmes, ideally within higher education. You understand the challenges and opportunities of internationalisation and can analyse risks, regulatory requirements and operational implications with confidence.

You excel at building strong relationships at all levels — internally across large, matrixed organisations and externally with senior stakeholders. You can produce clear, compelling business cases, reports and briefing materials, and manage diverse workstreams with precision.

Highly motivated, collaborative and results‑oriented, you are comfortable working at pace, adapting to change and providing leadership in ambiguous settings. A relevant postgraduate qualification, project management accreditation, and experience of partnerships involving China or India are desirable, though not essential. A willingness to travel and occasionally work flexibly is required.

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 (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On‑site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme : Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance