Head of Operations - College of Social Sciences Grade 8

Position Details

College of Social Sciences

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Grade: 8

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to June 2027

Closing date: 10th February 2026

Interview date: 24th February 2026

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

Previous applicants need not apply.

People are at the heart of what we are and do. We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector‑leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important. Depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements.

Based across our world‑class campuses in Birmingham and Dubai, the College of Social Sciences (CoSS) is a global, diverse, and inclusive community of currently more than 12,500 students, 900 academics, and 300 professional services staff.

We are committed to our strategic goal of driving social change for a fairer and more sustainable world. Our four schools – Business, Education, Government, and Social Policy and Society – are in the vanguard of innovative and impactful research and teaching across social science.

The Head of Operations (HoOp) plays a key role in supporting the Head of School to deliver on University, College and School strategy. The role balances strategic thinking with delivering operational excellence through leadership of the professional services teams, frequently requiring the post‑holder to translate complex strategy into operational plans.

Reporting into the College Director of Operations, HoOps are key members of the School Strategic Management team, College Professional Services Strategic Leadership Team (PSSLT), and College Management Network. The HoOp role is a College role, based locally within a School, and part of a team of senior professional services leads within the College. Flexibility is a key aspect of this position, with occasional cover and support to other Schools within the College based on operational demand and business need.

The HoOp will be required to work strategically with excellent communication and leadership skills, significant operational experience, and a commitment to continuous improvement of excellent service delivery through a collaborative and inclusive approach.

• Provide the Head of School with exceptional leadership support in order to ensure both the School’s strategic and operational priorities are delivered to a high standard.
• Work effectively with the School’s Senior Management Team (SMT), translating strategy into practice, and ensuring clear communication of the School’s priorities to professional services teams.
• Lead and manage professional services staff in the school to ensure effective, positive working relationships at all levels, both directly and through working with interim and matrix managers.
• Lead staff through periods of change, communicating a clear and positive vision and acting as a role model.
• Ongoing development and support for direct reports through coaching and training, both formal and informal.
• Develop teams that consistently embody and demonstrate the University values, and an ability to lead by example.
• Working with senior Professional Services colleagues across the College, lead on the continuous improvement of operational service delivery.

• Work in partnership with College Business Partners (as appropriate) to support the Head of School, in developing the School’s Strategy in the context of the CoSS 2030 and the University Strategic Framework.
• Engagement with strategic initiatives, including with external partners, ensuring that the required professional services contribution is made.
• Work as part of the College Professional Services Strategic Leadership Team to provide a critical link between University…