POSITION DETAILS

College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,485 to £55,295 with potential progression once in post to £62,098
Grade: 8
Full Time, Permanent
Closing date: 11th March 2025
Interview date: 28th March 2025

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

• Recruit, train, and supervise operational staff, promoting professional development and high performance.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and address staff concerns.
• Foster a positive and collaborative working environment within the School and across the College.
• Lead School HR processes by liaising with internal colleagues and external stakeholders, managing staffing requests, drafting business cases (CPAG) and job descriptions, and overseeing fixed-term contract staff activities in partnership with HR.

EXPERIENCE

• Educated to degree standard and/or evidence of sustained continuing professional development appropriate for the capabilities required for and contribution from this role.
• Extensive experience in operational management, preferably within a higher education setting.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent financial management and budgetary skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using technology to improve operational processes and service delivery.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in the higher education sector.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Head of Operations is a senior management role in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, responsible for actively leading and overseeing the efficient delivery of daily operational activities within one of the four Schools (Biosciences; Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences; Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences; and Psychology). The Head of Operations contributes to strategic planning, resource management, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the School’s performance and thereby the College’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.
The Head of Operations role is a College role, based locally within a School, and part of a team of Heads of Operations, reporting directly to the Deputy Director of Operations (College Operations). Flexibility is a key aspect of this position, with occasional cover and support to other Schools within the College based on operational demand and business need.
The Head of Operations will shape and influence the strategic direction of the Schools to align with the College vision and aims. In 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. You 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.
You are 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.