Strategic Operations Lead THIS Institute (Fixed Term)

Institute for Modern; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

THIS Institute invites applications for a Strategic Operations Lead as part of the executive team. The role centers on providing strategic and operational leadership across planning, finance, governance, and HR, with responsibility for contracting, funding applications and programme management.

The post-holder will manage a multi-skilled team and work with NHS, academia, charities, professional bodies and the University to translate high-level objectives into robust plans and processes, ensuring

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-stakeholder programmes.
• Ability to translate complex objectives into plans and processes.
• Strong analytical, facilitation and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across planning, finance, governance, HR, contracting, funding applications and programme management.
• Oversee budgets of around £3–4 million per year, produce forecasts and management information, maintain financial controls.
• Lead governance, risk management, business planning and reporting; supervise a multi-skilled team and collaborate with NHS, academia, charities and the wider University.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance & risk

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Honours degree

Postgraduate qualification (beneficial)

Job description

The Strategic Operations Lead at THIS Institute is a senior leadership role central to the Institute's mission to build a strong evidence base for improving and innovating in healthcare. As a key member of the Institute's executive team, the post-holder will provide strategic and operational leadership across business planning, finance, governance, risk, human resources, contracting, funding applications, research programme management, impact and continuous improvement. They will lead a multi-skilled team and work with stakeholders across the NHS, academia, charities, professional bodies and the wider University.

The role requires the ability to interpret complex organisational objectives and translate them into effective plans, systems and processes while working within University of Cambridge requirements. This will include managing complex budgets of approximately £3-4 million per year, producing accurate forecasts and management information, maintaining effective financial controls and compliance, and presenting clear analysis and recommendations to senior leaders and governance committees. The role will also require oversight of governance, risk management, business planning and reporting.

The post-holder will be a credible and collaborative senior leader with excellent judgement and strong analytical, facilitation and negotiation skills. They will be highly organised, proactive and self-directed, able to plan for the long term, prioritise competing demands and remain composed in a fast-paced environment. They will have significant experience of leading people and teams, promoting an inclusive and positive working culture, and ensuring high standards of human resource management. Educated to honours degree level, and ideally holding a relevant postgraduate qualification, the successful candidate will have extensive experience of operations and business leadership, including the delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.

Funding for this post is available until 31 July 2030 in the first instance.

This is a full-time position.

Location: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Strangeways Research Laboratory, Worts Causeway, Cambridge CB1 8RN (approximately two miles south of the city centre).

Informal enquiries may be directed to Rachael Comeau at [e-mail].

Closing Date: 10th November 2026

Interview Date: 18th November 2026

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.