Chief Operating & Transformation Officer

Chief Operating & Transformation Officer (COTO)
Ipswich, Suffolk

Permanent, full time, 37 hours per week (however the hours of work are such as are necessary to carry out the full duties of the post and some flexibility is required).

Competitive salary

About the Post

We are seeking a Chief Operating & Transformation Officer (COTO) who will have responsibility for the strategic direction and leadership of the University of Suffolk’s professional services functions, ensuring a coherent, co-ordinated, and sustainable approach to the delivery of our professional services and enabling strategies. This post will also have a major ‘transformation lens’ over all that we do as a university; seeking and taking opportunities to streamline, digitise and transform to ensure we are as high performing, efficient and focussed as possible.

The post-holder, as a senior leader, will be a member of the Executive Team, responsible for the overall leadership and management of the University. Overseeing our Finance and Planning, People and Organisational Development, Estates, Digital and IT Services, Marketing, Communications, and International, resource areas.

About You

You will be agile and adept, able to support and listen as well as enable good, strategic decision making for the longer term. You will be a clear and confident communicator, able to forge and maintain a range of internal and external relationships to maximise outcomes for the University. You will be personally resilient – able to respond professionally to challenges and experienced in leading and supporting complex change programmes. You will be comfortable in navigating a complex and challenging sector and landscape and able to represent the University across a range of activities, meetings, and fora.

About the Team

The Executive / Senior Leadership Team of the university is supportive, friendly, and transformation-focussed and your direct reports are experienced leaders in their specialist fields. With a new Vice Chancellor in post since August 2024, you will be joining at a pivotal time for the new era of senior leadership at this thriving institution. The wider university team is one which drives accountability and strives to achieve the best possible experience and outcomes for both our students and staff, and it is essential that you share this aspiration.

Benefits

- Generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days, plus 8 bank holidays and any university closure days.
- Agile and flexible working, including family friendly policies.
- Competitive pension scheme through USS.
- Staff discounts at a number of local amenities.
- Discounted membership at various Ipswich Fit sites: unlimited access to gyms, swimming lanes, fitness classes and discounted racket sports.
- Fee waiver for staff approved to study a UoS undergraduate or postgraduate course, subject to a set of criteria and conditions.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice.
- Wellbeing programmes.
- Staff recognition annual awards.

Closing Date: Friday 25 October 2024

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Prof Jenny Higham – Vice Chancellor: j.higham@uos.ac.uk.

Please apply with your CV, covering letter and state your salary expectations in the application form.

No Agencies please.

We are a values driven organisation, committed to ensuring we remain a beacon for aspiration and achievement, while providing a great environment to work and study. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and we encourage applications from under-represented groups.

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