Director Operations jobs

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.