Operations Manager

Rutgers UK

Rutgers UK serves as a facilitator and connector for public benefit, supporting educational institutions and bringing Rutgers resources to the region. Rutgers UK supports the educational mission of Rutgers, one of America’s oldest and leading national research universities, ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide. Established in 2024, Rutgers UK is based in London with the goal of encouraging long-term alumni engagement and supporting student and program activities in collaboration with Rutgers University and Rutgers Foundation.

The aim of Rutgers UK is to serve as a builder of connections and community partnerships both in the UK and overseas. Rutgers UK aims to create enriching community experiences and transformative environments that empower students, alumni, and the wider community to thrive in diverse global settings.

Rutgers UK seeks an Operations Manager to oversee the set up and smooth running of key operational services in a small, dynamic environment. This is an excellent opportunity to manage and facilitate a variety of business functions, including human resources, finance, procurement, auditing, space management, health and safety, and other general projects.

The Role: 

Provide hands-on operational support; this is not a purely strategic role and requires involvement in day-to-day activities, such as services, systems, and policy, including employee benefits, payroll, and expenses.

Operational Support & Procurement

• Establish and manage the operational structure for Rutgers UK to ensure efficiency and productivity by streamlining workflows, solving problems, and driving continuous improvement. Assess internal expertise in functional areas, such as accounting, human resources, and workspace resources, and where needed, source and implement service delivery through managed service arrangements, including negotiating contracts with vendors and working with internal colleagues to ensure that the contracts managed are right for the current and projected size and requirements of Rutgers UK.
• Provide leadership and oversight in the development or revision of Rutgers UK operation regulations and guidelines and ensure that objectives and operations meet the needs (or align with the policies) of Rutgers University and Rutgers Foundation.
• Manage, maintain, and ensure that Rutgers UK policies on health and safety and safeguarding are adhered to.

Human Resources

• Fulfil recruitment and selection, onboarding, grading and remuneration, and advise managers on—and deal with general issues relating to—employment law and immigration regulations.
• Work with the Rutgers UK Board and Leadership to foster a positive working environment and implement a values-based organizational culture that promotes employee engagement, equality, diversity, belonging, and inclusion.

Finance, Policy Development & Audit

• Collaborate with strategic partners, such as external providers, institutions, and other relevant stakeholders in Rutgers University and Rutgers Foundation. Specifically, work closely with the Rutgers University Office of General Counsel and University Treasury to assess, implement, and manage appropriate systems and policies for effective business and financial operation.
• Coordinate budgetary and financial processes for successful budget management and financial reporting, including tracking expenditures and reporting variances.
• Establish appropriate and up-to-date policies and procedures for Rutgers UK, which ensure compliance with UK legal and regulatory requirements, and affirm staff compliance with those policies, including incident reporting processes and provision of appropriate training.
• Evaluate Rutgers UK operations and activities, including preparing various reports on financial and business operations and activities; recommend improvements in workflow, procedures, and the use of facilities, equipment, and other resources.

Administrative

• Coordinate resources to support organizational objectives and oversee the day-to-day administrative requirements for Rutgers UK.
• Manage and maintain working documentation, including progress reports and risk assessments and ensure robust record-keeping and documentation to support compliance and reporting requirements.

We are seeking an experienced leader who can:

• Deliver excellent office administration and operational services with flexibility and strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrate strong numeracy and data analysis skills.
• Demonstrate a proactive, problem-solving mindset, with the ability to work autonomously in a lean team to implement and improve processes.
• Apply strong project management skills and set clear directions for projects.
• Leverage communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.

For a full Job Description or informal discussion about the position please feel free to contact steve.cousins@rutgers.uk

How to apply

Please click on the 'apply button' above which will open a new email where you can apply including your CV and covering letter.

Full time: 35 hours per week