Head of Operations and Strategy

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About us

Our mission is to provide transformative, high-quality digital education, so students can learn, wherever they are.

We collaborate with academics and professional services staff across the university, and with our external partners, to design, develop and deliver a wide range of educational programmes.

Our learners study with us from across the world, choosing when and where they study, working around their schedules.

We are a dynamic team with ambitious growth targets in a priority area of development for King's. We proudly foster a supportive culture and community which prioritises both individual and collective wellbeing.

Employee support at King's includes flexible working arrangements, paid maternity/shared parental leave, menopausal support, an active wellbeing programme, training and development opportunities and much more. All of our staff benefit from a generous pension contribution as well.

As part of hybrid working at King's, all team members can work remotely for part of the week if they wish.

Join us as we open futures and unlock potential.

About the role

This pivotal senior role collaborates closely with the Director of Operations to steer the strategic planning, continuous improvement, and policy development of King's Digital's operations.

As a leader of the King's Digital Operations team, you will ensure high-quality, effective support across a wide range of activities. In the first 12 months, your primary focus will be on transforming and embedding the new Operations structure to guarantee the delivery of superior service standards.

You will be instrumental in driving the growth and evolution of King's Digital, overseeing the development of strategies and the implementation of innovative programmes and business areas.

This role demands expert business management skills, including tracking progress against business plans and working closely with the Finance, Procurement, Strategic Planning & Analytics Directorate (FPSPA) to manage financial targets across King's Digital's online programme portfolio. You will also oversee shared operations with commercial third parties.

Based primarily in the newly renovated James Clerk Maxwell Building at King's Waterloo Campus, you may occasionally be required to travel to other campuses.

Embrace the flexibility of King's hybrid working practices, with the option to work remotely for part of the week if desired.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

Please note that due to the high level of interest in this position, the job advert may close earlier than the specified deadline if we receive a large number of applications. We encourage early submission to avoid disappointment.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Substantial senior professional service skills which demonstrate leadership skills in a complex environment, ideally gained within the Higher Education sector
2. Excellent leadership, interpersonal and influencing skills and the ability to build up and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels
3. Proven ability to manage teams and develop individuals including dealing with conflicting demands and managing tight timelines
4. Experience of effectively managing the ongoing business administration of a large department, including involvement in budgeting, human resources, estate planning, monitoring KPIs etc
5. Successful track record of operational success e.g. in translating strategic plans and decisions into operational practice, effective business continuity planning, including identification of solutions to perceived potential blocks and an understanding of complex dependencies
6. Experience of managing multiple projects and leading strategic change processes independently and in collaboration with other
7. Excellent organisational skills, the ability to prioritise effectively and deliver work personally and through others to tight deadlines and within budget
8. Highly degree of numeracy and the ability to analyse statistical data to underpin financial decisions and approaches

Desirable criteria

1. Relevant postgraduate or professional qualification
2. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
3. Proven ability to manage teams and develop individuals through inclusive working practices.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click "Apply Now". This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ' How we Recruit' pages.

Interviews are due to be held on Wednesday 5th March 2025 (Virginia Woolf Building, 22 Kingsway).

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.