Business and Operations Manager

The Department of Zoology is seeking an experienced manager to join us as Business and Operations Manager. This varied role spans a wide range of operational responsibilities and contributes strategically to the effective running of the Department, supporting our mission of excellence in teaching and research.

You will directly manage five staff and oversee professional services teams (approximately 50 people) across HR, finance, research and teaching support, buildings and facilities, committees, communications, compliance and other operational areas. You will advise the Head of Department and senior academic colleagues on strategy, planning and policy, and work closely with other departments in the School of the Biological Sciences and with University central administration.

The Department comprises around 250 people, including academics, principal investigators, postgraduate students, postdoctoral researchers and professional services staff. Zoology is united by a fascination with the living world. Our mission is to understand how life evolves and functions, and how it can be conserved for the future, sharing this knowledge to address major challenges such as biodiversity loss, food security and human health.

We have a reputation of a friendly and supportive department based in central Cambridge, alongside the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, with whom we share the David Attenborough Building. The University Museum of Zoology is also part of the Department. As this is an operational role, the postholder will be expected to be based on site.

We are looking for someone who can work flexibly across a broad portfolio and engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior academics and professional services staff. You will have substantial experience operating at a senior level in a complex organisation, ideally within higher education, and strong skills in staff management, leadership, problem-solving, change management, planning, resource management and strategic contribution.

This is an exciting time to join the Department and the University as significant changes are being introduced to the delivery of professional services and operations. The role holder will help ensure the Department adopts and benefits from these developments.

Further information is available via the link below. For an informal discussion, please contact Professor Rebecca Kilner, Head of Department of Zoology, at HoD@zoo.cam.ac.uk.

Your application, including a covering letter, should demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification, with relevant examples. Shortlisting will be based on these criteria. The University of Cambridge is committed to supporting staff to thrive professionally and personally and to maintaining a positive work–life balance.

Interviews are expected during the week beginning 16 March 2026. Following acceptance of an offer, the successful candidate will be required to complete a basic disclosure (criminal records) check, health assessment and security check. Flexible working requests will be considered.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, who are currently under-represented at this level in the University.

Click the ‘Apply’ button below to register with the recruitment system (if required) and submit your application online.

If you have any queries about the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka or Anastasia Nezhentseva at hr@zoo.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference PF48722 in all correspondence.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion, encourages applications from all sections of society, and must ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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