Operations Manager

Location: Baoding, Hebei Province, China

Hours: Full Time (1.0 FTE)

Basis: Fixed Term contract for 2 years (with potential extension)

Renumeration: £41,000 basic fee per annum, + benefits

Closing Date: 10^th October 2025

The University of Lancashire invites applications for the role of Operations Manager at HBU-UCLan School of Media, Communications and Creative Industries. The appointment will be from February/March 2026 and to be based at the HBU-UCLan campus in Baoding for a minimum of 3 working periods per academic year (to be agreed), with the remainder delivered remotely, based at the Preston campus.

HBU-UCLan School of Media, Communication and Creative Industries is a non-independent status Joint School partnership between Hebei University, China and the University of Lancashire, UK (approved by the Ministry of Education China). Situated in the historic city of Baoding in NE China it is approximately 40 minutes from Beijing by fast train, and the city is rapidly becoming a commuter base for Beijing and Northern Hebei Province.

Established in 2014, the Joint School is very successful and recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary. HBU-UCLan currently has around 850 students which will increase to 1200 over the next few years. Students study the following University of Lancashire degree programmes:

• International Foundation Year
• BA (Hons) Animation
• BA (Hons) Creative Advertising
• BA (Hons) Film-making
• BA(Hons)GraphicDesign
• BA (Hons) Interior Design
• BA (Hons) Media and Television Production 
• MA Interior Design
• MA Music Industry Management & Promotion

THE ROLE

A unique and interesting opportunity to spend some time in a fascinating country, city and region which is constantly changing and developing, and challenging the way we do things. 

This is a key role. Working with the Academic Head, the appointee will manage and oversee the operational aspects of this partnership, working closely with the two host institutions, University of Lancashire and Hebei University. Both universities are large multi-functional organisations playing a key role for students, professional sectors and stakeholders in the regions they serve, University of Lancashire in the North West of England, UK; and HBU in Northern Hebei Province in China.

The post is administration, systems and process management led and will require excellent organisational skills. Much of the workload is academic administration focused, with the post-holder required to take the lead role for overseeing the effective coordination of curriculum administration  and managing the structural organisation of academic staff and students to ensure that the requirements of both universities are met. This role also covers the oversight of academic quality assurance processes and ensuring seamless and secure reporting back to University main campus in Preston.

The successful applicant will make up a team of 3 University of Lancashire contracted office-based staff on campus in Baoding; each have specific designated roles, and work closely with HBU administrators. This aspect relies on good relationships, mutual respect and understanding, as well as a positive and flexible approach to problem solving. The Joint School is a student-centred creative community, and this is very much a ‘people’ job, with collaborative and interpersonal skills - particularly in a cross-cultural sense - being highly valued qualities.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 

A full Job Description and Person Specification which outline the essential criteria for this post can be found by clicking the link.

This is an outstanding opportunity to work as part of an international team to support a high quality creative industries facility and nurture new systems and process development within a unique cross-cultural setting. 

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

• £41,000 per annum renumeration
• Travel allowance for return flights
• Health Insurance contribution allowance per academic year
• Accommodation allowance per academic year / pro rata
• Visa related costs

VISA REGULATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Posts at HBU-UCLan are regulated by Chinese Labour Law and Hebei Provincial Government regulations. These regulations stipulate that the post holder must have a degree qualification.

A minimum of two years’ relevant experience in a similar role is essential to obtaining a working visa in China. 

The post holder must comply with Chinese Labour Laws and Hebei Provincial Government regulations to obtain a Chinese work permit and entry Z visa (restrictions apply) - this includes a Police/Criminal Records Check and Health Check. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal work with regards to obtaining work permits and visas. The regulations in this province may preclude people over the age of 60 from obtaining a PRC work visa.

TO APPLY

Informal enquiries about this post can be emailed to Professor Sion Hughes, Academic Head, at SHughes17@lancashire.ac.uk

The specific requirements for the role are detailed in the job description and person specification. Applicants must meet all ‘essential criteria’ to be considered for interview.

Applications must be submitted in pdf format to SHughes17@lancashire.ac.uk  and include:

• Cover letter (demonstrating your suitability for the role)
• Current CV
• Contact details of two referees (with knowledge of your skills capabilities, and work performance. We will only take up references for the selected candidate.)