Job Purpose
Reporting to the Deputy Director of SUERC, this position holds accountability for the coordination of strategic planning, policy development, health and safety, risk management, resource allocation, and infrastructure management. The postholder will lead a team of professional services staff, ensuring the effective delivery of services that align with SUERC's key strategic objectives.
As a key member of SUERC's leadership team, the Head of Operations will represent SUERC within the broader University of Glasgow community and external agencies. The role will have direct management of the professional services staff and will work collaboratively with the wider professional services teams at the University, contributing to the continuous enhancement of operational practices across both SUERC and the University.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Contribute to the development and execution of SUERC's strategic vision through accelerating the transformation and optimisation of operations to enhance efficiency, research capacity, and impact.
2. Oversee the operational business of SUERC, by strengthening engagement with key internal and external partners, scientists, and external stakeholders, including the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the British Geological Survey, the Natural Environmental Research Council, Counter- Terrorism, Police Scotland, Colliers to cultivate a thriving ecosystem for research and innovation. Leverage partnerships and networks to enhance SUERC's reputation at local, national, and international levels, positioning the Centre as a leader in its field.
3. Drive the operational delivery of the Centre's Strategic Framework, ensuring resources and services align with the broader goals of the College and University. Work in partnership with the Centre Executive Group, SUERC's academic and technical staff, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation of strategic initiatives.
4. Responsible for the strategic oversight of the operational management of SUERC including ownership of policies and procedures, roles and responsibilities of staff members and ensure effective delivery of SUERCs priorities, achievement of KPIs and, where appropriate, integration with other support teams in the College and wider University. Line management of staff in these functions, fostering professional development, performance excellence and career progression.
5. Strategically manage the Centre's estate to ensure efficient use of office and laboratory space while maintaining high standards of infrastructure management and compliance. Develop short- medium- and long-term strategies for maintenance and improvement of the SUERC infrastructure.
6. Manage health and safety across the Centre's activities. Develop and maintain an effective health and safety management system, implement proactive solutions to mitigate potential risks and chair the SUERC Health and Safety Committee. Ensure full compliance across SUERC with University of Glasgow policies and legal requirements.
7. Oversee radiological protection including data reporting and referencing, site security, and compliance with legislative requirements, working in tandem with SUERC research and technical teams, as well as the University of Glasgow and the processes within.
8. Identify, assess, and manage risks associated with the Centre's infrastructure and operations. Develop and maintain an effective risk management system, including a comprehensive risk register, and implement proactive solutions to mitigate potential risks. Ensure full compliance across SUERC with University of Glasgow policies and legal requirements.
9. Drive and lead key change management initiatives across SUERC's operational teams, with a focus on performance improvement, efficiency gains, and enhanced service provision. Develop and implement action plans to address operational challenges and optimise services for internal and external stakeholders. This may involve contributing to College/University-wide initiatives.
10. Proactively network and develop strong collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, both within the College and across the University to share best practice. Lead working groups, build interdepartmental relationships, and broker collaborations to drive the Centre's strategic and operational goals.
11. Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Director/Deputy Director, contributing to the overall success and operational efficiency of SUERC.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles.
Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).
A2 Broad understanding and awareness of business operations, specifically within academia.
A3 Ability to provide comprehensive governance and reporting, including strategic engagement with senior management for development and delivery of critical strategy.
A4 Knowledge and understanding of research project delivery involving a variety of stakeholders and understanding of business drivers.
A5 Knowledge of Health and safety in the workplace.
Desirable:
B1 A working knowledge of University policies and procedures.
B2 Knowledge of health and safety in research laboratory settings.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Excellent leadership and management abilities.
C2 An appropriate level of gravitas, technical insight and credibility to represent the SUERC at a senior level, to drive projects to deliver ambitious targets and secure new partnerships.
C3 Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels.
C4 Ability to delegate, motivate and develop team working.
C5 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal, including influencing, negotiation and diplomacy.
C6 Excellent organisational skills with ability to manage multiple competing programme activities across a multi-year basis, whilst working to tight deadlines.
C7 Ability to proactively engage with senior managers and partners with an effective and solution-focussed collaborative approach.
C8 Effective negotiating skills and diplomacy skills to negotiate a way forward in a collaborative environment and securing agreement from the partner level teams.
C9 High level of competence with a range of computerised systems, databases and data sources to support project management; improve team communications, information and data dissemination.
C10 Proven ability to solve problems creatively working in a technically complex area and working across a range of management functions.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Proven ability to manage multiple collaborative projects.
E2 Significant project management experience managing multi-disciplinary collaborations with domain experts and academic/industry research functions.
E3 Experience of providing high calibre leadership and direction within a complex multi-stakeholder high profile context.
E4 Experience of managing and leading teams.
E5 Experience of senior ambassadorial role, promoting an organisation or service to internal and external stakeholders.
E6 Experience in analysing data and providing management information with a high degree of accuracy.
E7 Demonstrable experience of managing large teams across a range of business operations.
E8 Project management experience.
Desirable:
F1 Experience in managing industry-academia operations and collaborative projects.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8, £49,250 - £56,921 per annum pro rata.
This post is part-time (21 hours per week), and open ended (permanent).
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Ref : 158591 Close Date : 02-Dec-2024 23:45