School Operations Manager (Psychology)

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974. Grade: 7

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to March 2025

Role Overview: The School Operations Manager is the senior administrative officer of the School of Psychology within LES. The role supports the Head of School in delivering effective administrative services to support excellence in research and teaching.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Support

• Assist in developing and monitoring the school’s strategic plan, including business plans and expenditure projections.
• Identify strategic priorities in alignment with college objectives.
• Implement best practices across administrative areas and promote career development within the College PA Network.
• Maintain effective relationships with College Business Partners.

Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage the Professional Services team, ensuring effective workload distribution, resources, and training.
• Foster team motivation and flexibility, ensuring collaboration within the school, college, and with external stakeholders.
• Establish networks with similar roles across other institutions and within the University.

Personnel and Staff Management

• Ensure effective HR management, including recruitment, performance management, attendance, and grievance procedures.
• Administer contracts and support the implementation of review processes and staff development plans.
• Coordinate induction plans for new staff and gather feedback for improvements.

Financial Management

• Coordinate annual budgeting and forecasting processes, monitor expenditure, and take corrective actions as needed.
• Support post-award services for research and manage financial compliance and reporting.
• Approve expense claims and ensure adherence to financial legislation.

Academic Activity Support

• Produce management information, reports, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Assist in action plan development and coordinate information for future school submissions.

Facilities Management

• Collaborate with the Head of Estates and Infrastructure to optimize the use of school space and facilities.

Marketing and Communications

• Support the delivery of the Marketing and Communications plan, ensuring the accuracy of school webpages and key messages.

Operational Efficiency

• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of management information.
• Develop and implement local policies and procedures for efficient school operations.
• Liaise with the Health & Safety Manager for compliance in external activities.
• Participate in college meetings, committees, and working groups, deputizing for other Operations Managers as needed.

Person Specification

 Experience

• Extensive administrative experience in a university, HEI, or NHS Trust.
• Demonstrated experience in people and financial management.
• Proficiency in data mining and strategic reporting.

Skills

• Exceptional report writing and analytical skills.
• Strong negotiating, persuasion, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Developed leadership skills with confidence in decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure, maintaining accuracy. 

Informal enquires can be made to contacts Gregg Arrand (Deputy Director of Operations) via g.w.arrand@bham.ac.uk and Suzanne Higgs (Head of School) via s.higgs.1@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply button.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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