Operations Head jobs in United Kingdom

Description

Position Details

College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range 47389 to 56535 with potential progression once in post to 63606

Grade: 8

Employment type: Full Time Permanent

Closing date: 18th November 2025

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcomes discussions on all forms of flexible working arrangements. We offer a generous benefits package including 40 days paid holiday a year, a pension scheme, and other staff benefits. See the job posting for further details.

The Head of Operations is a senior administrative leadership role within the College of Medicine and Health (CMH) responsible for delivering high-quality operational and strategic support to the Head of School. The role ensures effective local delivery of professional services supports the implementation of College and University strategies and contributes to continuous improvement across administrative functions.

The Head of Operations will be required to think strategically with excellent communication and leadership skills, significant operational experience and a commitment to continuous improvement of excellent service delivery through a collaborative and inclusive approach.

The post holder will work collaboratively with other Heads of Operations, Operations Managers and central Professional Services teams to ensure consistency, efficiency and excellence in service delivery across the College.

The Head of Operations will be responsible for actively leading the delivery of a high-quality professional administrative function within the School of Medical Sciences. Heads of Operations are responsible for day-to-day non-academic management and administration of the School to enable academic staff to complete their research, teaching and general academic duties. The post holder will support the Head of School, members of the School management team and work with College staff to shape and influence the strategic direction of the line with these responsibilities the Head of Operations will devise objectives, plans and strategies to respond to School, College and University aims, initiating and contributing to School, College and University projects, leading on these where appropriate. The post holder must therefore be able to demonstrate effective negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to balance competing agendas and priorities to reach an effective outcome. A strong analytical background is important as is an ability to initiate and lead change.

The post holder is expected to have a broad knowledge of the developments and challenges within the Higher Education sector, a solid understanding of good practice in delivering professional administrative and financial support, and the ability to balance academic considerations as well as external drivers and priorities.

The post holder is part of a team of Heads of Operations in the College of Medicine and Health reporting directly to the Deputy Director of Operations (who has delegated responsibility for the administration of the College).

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Support the Head of School and senior management in developing and delivering strategic objectives and business plans.
• Take a flexible approach and lead by example to ensure that the School’s Professional Services meets the current and future needs of the School and is fit for purpose. Set standards and embed quality of service and professionalism working collaboratively with colleagues to review and improve processes and to develop a culture of service excellence across the School.
• Provide effective leadership and management of the School's Operational Professional Services that supports academic delivery, reviewing workloads, resources and training needs. Undertaking performance review, identifying sickness patterns and leading on performance management issues.
• Provide advice and act as the primary point of contact within the School in relation to all aspects of School Governance and compliance including Data Protection, Information Security, Research Governance and Immigration policies; ensure University, College and School policies have been implemented and are operating effectively.
• Liaise with other College Heads of Operations and those in similar roles across other Colleges to co-ordinate action, minimise duplication and share good practice.
• Monitor performance indicators and management information to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead and implement significant and specific elements of the School strategy e.g. staff recruitment campaigns, working collaboratively with academic and Professional Services colleagues to ensure these are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• As directed by the Head of School to lead on significant strategic developments within the School.

Operational and Financial Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations including HR compliance and administrative services.
• Maintain strategic oversight of School and Departmental budgets, ensuring effective financial control and identifying efficiencies.
• Maintain strategic oversight and ensure effective management control of core School financial activity including operational oversight of School budgets and the delivery of strategies to achieve efficiencies.
• To work with the Head of School on forward planning for budgeting and forecasting of the School accounts in order to align with College and University targets for financial returns.
• Champion continuous improvement and service excellence across CMH operations.

Human Resources and Staffing

• Provide professional administrative support to the Head of School across a range of HR activities, ensuring that an appropriate level of service is provided to staff.
• Lead School HR processes through liaison with appropriate internal colleagues and external stakeholders including the management of staffing requests to College Post Approvals Group (CPAG) which would include drafting business cases and job descriptions and take an overview of the activities of fixed term contract staff within the School, ensuring you are working in partnership with HR.
• Promote staff wellbeing, hybrid working and cross-team collaboration.
• Ensure effective implementation of induction, probation, annual review and promotion procedures.
• Champion Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the School.

Technology and Innovation

• Utilise technology to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Oversee the implementation of new systems and processes.
• Stay informed about sector trends and best practice to drive innovation.

Collaboration

• Foster collaboration with various departments to support the School, College and University-wide initiatives.
• Ensure seamless integration of operational services across the College.
• Lead on specific projects or workstreams within the College as required.

Additional Information

• Any other duties appropriate to the grade of the role as required by the Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Operations or the Head of School.
• Act as the primary contact within the School for governance matters including data protection, research governance and immigration compliance.
• Ensure policies are effectively implemented and monitored.
• Lead or contribute to College-wide projects and initiatives.
• Represent CMH in University committees, working groups and strategic planning forums.
• The role may require occasional flexibility in working hours to address urgent operational issues and possible reassignment to other Schools based on operational demand and business need.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree standard and / or evidence of sustained continuing professional development appropriate for the capabilities required for and contribution from this role.

Experience

• Proven capability of leading and managing teams of people working across different areas.
• Relevant significant operational management experience in complex organisations including but not exclusively higher education.
• Significant demonstrable people; financial and project management experience in a complex organisation.
• Experience of championing Equality Diversity and Inclusion in own work area with an understanding of how this applies to employment practice and delivery of services.
• Strong leadership and organisations skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Evidence of ability to work collaboratively across functions to achieve common goals to create an ethos of continuous improvement.

Skills and Abilities

• High level of organisational and time-management skills. Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build relationships with senior colleagues and externals in a sensitive professional manner with a high level of discretion.
• Highly developed communication skills with experience of report drafting and able to explain / present complex information.
• Experience of writing and presenting reports in a clear and well-structured manner for senior management and to produce and analyse source material information and data.
• Ability to deal with a varied workload, manage tight deadlines, work under pressure and to prioritise effectively while responding positively to the unexpected.
• Implementing and managing change - developing and implementing proposals and translating strategy and strategic aspirations into specific operations plans with measurable outcomes - including longer term proposals with timescales of several years.

Core Competences :

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement long-term operational strategies.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills to inspire and manage a diverse team.
• Problem-Solving: Proficient in identifying issues and developing effective solutions.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills.
• Adaptability: Ability to navigate and adapt to changing environments and demands.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work collaboratively with other university departments and stakeholders.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Helen Matthews email :

View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.

Required Experience:

Director

Key Skills

Succession Planning, Growing Experience, Expense Management, Management Experience, Rackspace, Laboratory Management, Senior Leadership, Operations Management, Relationship Management, Leadership Experience, negotiation, Taxonomy

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1

Monthly Salary Salary: 47389 - 56535