Our client is actively searching for a
Director, Operations
to join their team!
If you are a dynamic individual seeking a new career opportunity, read further!
The College is seeking an experienced Director, Operations to lead and transform its administrative and operational functions. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for driving operational excellence, delivering strategic initiatives, and enabling the Dean and College leadership to achieve their long-term priorities.
- Lead and inspire a high-performing team of senior administrators, including both direct reports and matrix teams across Schools and Centres.
- Translate strategy into action by implementing cross-College initiatives, streamlining operations, and improving administrative and financial processes.
- Drive organisational change and operational innovation, creating more efficient, standardised, and scalable systems to support academic and research excellence.
- Collaborate across boundaries, building strong partnerships with Schools, Centres, and University leadership to enable interdisciplinary teaching, research, and shared operational goals.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Dean and senior leadership on governance, risk, compliance, and institutional effectiveness, influencing decision-making and ensuring follow-through.
- Deliver measurable outcomes, ensuring that operational, financial, and strategic objectives are achieved efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.
The key responsibilities of this role are:
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Lead operational planning and execution of College-wide strategic initiatives.
- Shape long-term strategies and anticipate emerging needs in alignment with University priorities.
- Advise on policy, governance, and institutional effectiveness.
Organisational Effectiveness & Change
- Develop and refine administrative structures, business processes, and service delivery models.
- Drive cross-functional improvements and harmonise practices across Schools and Centres.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with University policies and external regulations.
- Mitigate risks, maintain internal controls, and advise leadership on governance matters.
Operations & Financial Stewardship
- Oversee budgets, grants, procurement, and operational resources.
- Identify opportunities for operational enhancement and implement improvement initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships across academic, professional, and administrative units.
- Represent the College on University-wide committees, taskforces, and review boards.
Leadership & Talent Development
- Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture.
- Promote staff development, knowledge exchange, and innovation across administrative teams.
The ideal candidate will need to have the following qualities and experience:
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree; postgraduate qualification in Management, Public Administration, or related field preferred.
- 10–15+ years of progressive experience in higher education administration or large, complex organisations, with strategic and operational leadership.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and driving organisational change.
- Strong knowledge of governance, compliance, and financial management.
- Track record of building partnerships and influencing in a matrix environment.
Skills & Competencies
- Strategic and operational leadership, translating vision into measurable outcomes.
- Strong people leadership, motivating and developing direct and matrix teams.
- Stakeholder management and collaboration across complex environments.
- Operational and financial acumen to manage resources effectively.
- Project and program management skills, ensuring initiatives are delivered with impact.
- Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Agility, resilience, and ability to perform in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
- Digital literacy for effective coordination and reporting.
Personal Attributes
- Collaborative and diplomatic, building trust and strong relationships.
- Proactive and results-oriented, driving initiatives to completion.
- High integrity and discretion, handling sensitive information professionally.
- Adaptable and resilient, thriving under ambiguity and pressure.
- Innovative and solution-focused, continuously seeking improvements.