Are you a proactive leader with a strong passion for strategic management and operational excellence? We are currently looking to appoint a College Operations Manager to join the University’s College of Social Sciences, where you will play a key leadership role in overseeing College Operations & Governance, MA Soc Sci Curriculum Guidance Support, and the College Graduate School. You will be responsible for overseeing operations that support a College comprised of five schools and a student body of over 15,000. 

Reporting to the Director of Operations & Student Services, you will play a pivotal part in enhancing service delivery, aligning operations with University and College strategies, and championing a culture of continuous improvement across the College.

The role requires close collaboration and the building of strong working relationships with senior academic and professional services leaders across the University, strategic management of complex operational areas, and the development of efficient, student- and staff-centred processes that improve the overall experience for all College stakeholders. 

Key responsibilities include overseeing governance structures within the College to ensure alignment with University policies, accreditation standards, and external regulatory requirements. You will also provide expert guidance on governance matters to senior leadership.

Additionally, you will lead process review and improvement initiatives, applying service design and change management methodologies to drive efficiency, innovation, and operational effectiveness.

This role would be ideal for someone with proven experience in leading operational service delivery within a large organisation and to multiple stakeholders, coupled with a track record of successfully managing change and implementing process improvements.

Job Purpose

As a key member of the College Professional Services team, reporting to the Director of Operations & Student Services, the post holder will provide strategic and operational leadership for College Operations & Governance, MA Soc Sci Curriculum Guidance Support, and the College Graduate School.

The postholder will lead and manage service delivery within these areas, ensuring alignment with University strategies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

This role requires strong collaboration with senior academic and professional services colleagues, strategic oversight of complex operational functions, and the design of streamlined, student- and staff-focused processes that enhance the overall stakeholder experience across the College.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead, manage, and develop the professional services teams responsible for College Operations & Governance, MA Soc Sci Curriculum Guidance Support, and the College Graduate School, ensuring efficient service delivery and continuous improvement.

2. Develop and implement strategies for operational excellence, aligning processes and structures with the College’s and University’s strategic objectives.

3. Oversee governance structures within the College, ensuring compliance with University policies, accreditation requirements, and external regulatory frameworks. Provide expert guidance on governance matters to senior leadership.

4. Lead on process review and improvement initiatives, applying service design and change management methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across operational functions.

5. Ensure that all operational functions contribute positively to the student experience, from curriculum guidance and academic administration to graduate school support, fostering an inclusive and student-focused approach.

6. Build strong working relationships across the University, engaging with Schools, professional services, and external partners to drive integration and alignment in service delivery.

7. Oversee the allocation and management of resources, ensuring effective budgetary control and financial planning in line with strategic priorities.

8. Utilise data and analytics to inform decision-making, providing insights into operational performance and student outcomes, and recommending evidence-based improvements.

9. Act as a key contributor to College and University-wide transformation projects, embedding a culture of agility and innovation in professional services delivery.

10. Provide leadership and line management for professional services staff, fostering a culture of high performance, professional development, and staff wellbeing.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 A degree at SCQF level 9, 10, or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Postgraduate Qualification), or equivalent experience demonstrating relevant professional knowledge.

A2 Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and operational processes in a large, complex organisation.

A3 Expertise in service design, process improvement, and change management methodologies.

A4 Knowledge of the UK Higher Education sector, including key challenges and policy developments.

A5 Financial literacy, including budget planning and resource management.

Desirable

B1 A relevant postgraduate degree Masters or PhD.

Skills

Essential

C1 Excellent leadership, management, and team development skills.

C2 Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to interpret complex information and drive data-informed decision-making.

C3 Highly effective communication, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

C4 Ability to lead change and embed continuous improvement across operational functions.

C5 Proficient in project management, delivering strategic and operational initiatives within a complex organisational environment.

C6 High level of resilience and ability to navigate organisational challenges effectively.

Experience

D1 Proven experience in leading operational service delivery within a large organisation and to multiple stakeholders.

D2 Track record of successfully managing change and implementing process improvements.

D3 Experience in strategic planning and delivering service transformation projects.

D4 Experience in governance, policy compliance, and risk management.

D5 Strong experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and professional development.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £49,559 - £57,422 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your  health and wellbeing.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community  here.

We endorse the principles of  Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-working for more information.

Closing date: 23:45 on Tuesday 22nd April 2025