Job Purpose
The Senior Operations Manager has three key areas of focus: providing wide- ranging professional and organisational support to the Executive Director of Research Services; contributing to the management and delivery of the Research Services Directorate; and leading on Directorate wide continuous improvement projects.
This role will support the Executive Director of Research Services and the wider Research Services leadership team with the implementation of a number of Directorate objectives. This will include researching and drafting strategic policy papers and processes; monitoring adherence to objectives; liaising directly with academic and professional staff and external stakeholders and resolving issues; and proactively and independently managing selected continuous improvement projects across the full spectrum of the Executive Directors' responsibilities and priorities.
The incumbent will work closely with colleagues across the Research Services Directorate, the Executive Officer, and the Personal Assistant to the Vice Principal for Research & Knowledge Exchange, and with colleagues across the University. The position will interact regularly with academic and professional staff across the University and with external stakeholders.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Lead and manage complex Directorate improvement projects using judgement and discretion. The range of projects is likely to include benchmarking service standards, desktop research, driving performance adherence, organisational efficiencies and service improvements. These projects will often involve multiple stakeholders and University offices with conflicting priorities. This may involve securing input of other colleagues, services and project teams and negotiating and influencing to establish appropriate actions and agreed ways forward. 2. Driving the improvement project lifecycle including project initiation, management of the project resources; agreement of the technical and quality strategy; establishment of robust delivery schedules and applying discretion in coordination project delivery activities to meet project outcomes.
3. Project communication with all relevant sponsor and stakeholder communities, including consultation and management of expectations; reporting to project boards, engaging, and managing stakeholders across the Directorate and, depending on the project, from across the wider University. Provide project status updates to sponsor, including any emerging risks or issues. 4. Proactively plan, manage and progress actions in relation to the Executive Director's full range of activities often involving significant forward planning and engaging the input of others from across the Service / University and externally as required. The post-holder will have discretion to act independently where appropriate.
5. Research and draft documentation, papers, briefing notes, presentation, responses to complex queries or complaints and reports as directed across the full spectrum of the Executive Directors' business undertaking background research from appropriate sources and using a broad awareness of the full Research Services Directorate agenda and with consultation with key stakeholders. 6. Follow up actions for the Executive Director on an ad hoc basis, serving as the primary information source for on-going actions or undertaking investigations as required. This requires the post-holder to be aware of the Research Services Directorate priorities and objectives and be sensitive to the strategic direction of the University.
7. Support the development of Research Services Directorate policies and procedures, including undertaking research, stakeholder consultation and securing necessary approvals and contribute to the delivery of specific areas within the Research Services Directorate operational and strategic ambitions.
8. Lead, manage and develop the capabilities of the Operations team, including: fostering a positive, inclusive and collaborative team environment; working with team members to set clear goals in line with organisational objectives and ensuring each member appreciates how their work contributes to the bigger picture; working with the team and wider university on operational matters including financial planning and human resources; managing individual and team performance in accordance with university policies, provide feedback, and support professional growth.
9. Representing the Executive Director and/or Research Services leadership team at various meetings where the Director is unable to attend. This will require a full understanding of the policies and direction of the Directorate.
10. Build and enhance relationships and networks across the University in support of the portfolio functions.
11. Perform other duties as requested, consistent with the grade level of the position and agreeing appropriate prioritisation of work with line management or other relevant stakeholders as needed.
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 Knowledge of project management methodologies.
Desirable:
B1 Knowledge of the Higher education sectors. B2 Some knowledge of HR and Finance procedures.
B3 Experience with Service Level agreements and Key Performance Indicators. B4 Project management qualification.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to research and write reports and presentations for a variety of audiences and to draft and edit strategic documents.
C2 Proven analytical, organisational, project planning and problem-solving skills with the ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical.
C3 Ability to act on own initiative and operate with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail and generate innovative solutions as required.
C4 Demonstrated ability to set priorities, work with diplomacy and efficiency.
C5 Ability to champion and lead on the benefits of change, challenging the status quo effectively and developing and introducing innovative approaches.
C6 Skilled in relationship management including negotiating & influencing others to get to agreed outcomes.
C7 Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage positively with colleagues and a wide range of contacts.
C8 Ability to contribute effectively as a member of a team.
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.
Desirable:
D1 Skilled in presenting to senior colleagues.
D2 Ability to adapt to changing priorities, often at short notice.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Experience of working with a range of colleagues, including senior stakeholders and Committees.
E2 Proven problem-solving abilities across a broad range of areas.
E3 Experience of project work, delegating work to others and managing deliverables with a successful track record of delivery.
E4 Experience of managing and preparing papers for senior committees and managing actions resulting from these.
E5 Experience of drafting policy or proposals for senior colleagues or groups or writing responses on behalf of others on a range of topics.
E6 Experience of writing detailed project plans and ensuring these are agreed and communicated with the project team, project board (if applicable) and stakeholders.
E7 Leading change management in a diverse organisation.
E8 Experience of developing and running training programmes to introduce and support changes to work practices.
E9 High level of work organisation and self-motivation, with proven ability to work on own initiative, engaging others at the right stages, and applying independent professional judgement.
E10 Experience of managing & developing a team.
Desirable:
F1 Experience of completing pieces of work at Senior Management level. F2 Experience of leading cross functional project teams.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 - £56,021 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended.
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 : 142088 Close Date : 03-Apr-2024 23:45