Faculty Head of Operations

Are you an experienced operational leader ready to make a significant impact in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

Queen Mary University of London is ranked joint 7th in the UK for research quality (REF 2021), with 97% of the faculty’s research rated internationally excellent and more than half recognised as world-leading.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering is a vibrant and ambitious community of over 14,000 students and 1,500 staff, generating £200m annual income and securing £45–50m in new research awards every year. We are committed to growth, innovation, inclusivity, and delivering world-class research and education with global reach.

We are now seeking a Faculty Head of Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering high-quality professional services across the Faculty.

The Role

As a senior Professional Services leader reporting to the Faculty Director of Operations, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight of operational delivery, ensuring excellence in estates, compliance, governance, risk, and internal communications.
• Lead and inspire the Faculty’s Operations function, driving efficiency, process improvement, and a culture of accountability and inclusion.
• Manage financial operations and resource planning in collaboration with School Managers, ensuring robust frameworks for budget management and strategic investment.
• Act as the key liaison between academic leaders, schools, and central Professional Services, ensuring smooth alignment of operational activity with strategic priorities.
• Represent the Faculty at senior committees and working groups, contributing to university-wide initiatives and decision-making.

About You

We are looking for an experienced leader with:

• Significant operational leadership experience in a large, complex organisation (ideally within Higher Education).
• A proven track record in delivering process improvements and managing high-performing teams.
• Strong financial, planning, and analytical skills, with the ability to develop business cases and drive resource efficiency.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the authority to represent senior leadership confidently.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and resilient leadership style, committed to delivering an excellent staff and student experience.

A degree (or equivalent experience) is essential, with a postgraduate or professional qualification desirable.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum, a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, campus facilities and flexible working arrangements.

The role is based at the Mile End Campus in London and is a full time, permanent appointment. The starting salary will be Grade 7, in the range of £64,331 - £71,834 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Joanne Kirner at j.kirner@qmul.ac.uk

To further details and to apply for the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 14 September 2025.

Interviews are expected to be held Monday 22 September 2025.

Valuing Diversity & Committed to Equality

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