Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary

at  University of Sussex

CONTRACT TYPE

Permanent
Application Information
This role is being recruited to via our partners at Minerva Search.
For more information about the role, including how to apply, please visit the Minerva website.
Applications should be in the form of a CV and cover letter and addressed to coosussex@minervasearch.com.
About the role
The University of Sussex is looking to appoint a new Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary. From Sussex’s beginnings almost 65 years ago, a distinctive ethos has informed our work. Globally oriented from the outset, the University set out to disrupt traditional ways of creating and organising knowledge and, in doing so, developed an identity and purpose that have fostered a strong sense of community. Under the leadership of Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President, the University is about to launch its new strategy, Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures – flourishing, sustainability, and progress for the whole world. At this exciting time, the new Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary will play a key role in implementing Sussex 2035.
The Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary will have a broad remit spanning: Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services; IT Services; Library Culture and Heritage; Research and Innovation Services; Student Experience; and Sussex Projects. The Director of Faculty and Professional Technical Services will also report into the post-holder. As COO, this individual will lead a senior team of Directors and hold overall responsibility for the efficient, effective and joined-up delivery of all the University’s professional services. As University Secretary, they will work collaboratively with the University Council, and especially with the Chair of Council and the Vice-Chancellor, to ensure that the governance of the University is effective and compliant with regulatory requirements. They will be a crucial member of the University Executive, working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and other senior leaders to shape and deliver Sussex’s strategic and operational objectives, with a focus on ensuring the sustainability and operational effectiveness of the University.
About you
We are looking for a dynamic and inclusive leader who has experience of leadership and collaboration across the full range of operations within an organisation of a significant scale. They will bring a strong understanding of Higher Education governance, will be able to hit the ground running, and will have a commitment to high-standards of service delivery. They will be enthusiastic about the mission, values, and strategic direction of the University of Sussex. The new Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary will be an excellent leader of people, encouraging cooperation and trust in their teams, and with a track record of advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in previous roles. They must be able to move smoothly through a variety of contexts and conversations with colleagues across the full range of roles in the University. The ideal candidate will bring a pragmatic mindset, strong communication skills, with the ability to cut through complexity to articulate a clear path forward that brings focus to the key issues. This is an opportunity to help a very special university realise our ambitions.
Why work here
Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.
Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.
Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion
Further Key Information
For more information about the role, including how to apply, please visit the Minerva website.
The University of Sussex is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and through this appointment process it is the University Council’s clear stated aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. The University particularly welcomes applications from women, people from black and minority ethnic communities, the LGBTQ+ community, and from disabled people.
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.
February 17, 2025 10:59 AM

Please refer the Job description for details