Senior Business Operations Manager (Maternity Cover)

About us 

King’s College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research. The university is dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in society and realising our vision of making the world a better place. The Strategic Vision 2029 looks forward to King’s College London’s 200th anniversary in 2029 and sets out ambitious plans in five key areas: 

• Educating the next generation of change-makers
• Challenging ideas and driving change through research
• Giving back to society through meaningful service
• Working with our local communities in London
• Fostering global citizens with an international perspective

Based at the Strand in the heart of London, the Policy Institute at King’s College London is a distinctive department of the university, uniquely positioned at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. We combine the analytical rigour of academia with the agility of a consultancy and the strategic insight of a think tank. Our work addresses pressing societal challenges through interdisciplinary research and collaboration, drawing on the expertise and resources of both the institute and King’s extensive academic and policy networks.

About the role 

The Policy Institute is seeking a passionate individual to join us as Senior Business Operations Manager (Maternity Cover).

In this role you'll be at the heart of our operations, overseeing the smooth functioning of our Institute, which comprises 7 diverse research and education units. If you thrive in a collaborative environment, have a knack for supporting people and HR processes, and excel at managing large budgets then this role is tailor-made for you.

Communication with diverse audiences and building collaborative relationships is a key aspect of the role, so we are looking for a confident and self-assured individual with demonstrable experience of building networks and influencing and negotiating with stakeholders. They will have a commitment to continuous improvement, excellent interpersonal skills and be responsible for providing advice and support to academics, researchers and senior leadership working through across the Institute, as well as identifying opportunities for collaboration and efficiencies to improve ways of working.

This role is a 12-month maternity cover position and would be suitable for direct-hire or as a secondment opportunity.

A start from early July 2026 would be desirable.

If you have queries, please contact Dr Samantha Gross via samantha.gross@kcl.ac.uk

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a 12-month fixed-term contract, with possibility of extension.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Substantial knowledge and experience of a range of business operational activities (including HR, finance and business continuity, health and safety) acquired through relevant managerial level posts.
• Experience of line management and leading high performing teams
• Significant understanding and experience of applying regulations and policies in a large and complex organization, and successfully communicating policies and procedures to colleagues.
• Financial acumen, with demonstrable experience of financial record keeping & management of multiple budgets.
• Experience and comprehensive understanding of HR and Employee Relations processes and procedures
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, both oral and in writing, with an ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders
• Demonstrable organizational and project management skills with a high attention to detail
• Excellent time management, organisational skills and ability to multitask & respond to changing priorities

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