Business and Operations Manager

Could you be our next Business and Operations Manager?

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join the Gurdon Institute as our Business and Operations Manager. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in one of the world's leading research institutes, leading a talented team that enables internationally recognised research in developmental and disease biology.

The Gurdon Institute has been at the forefront of discovery for more than 35 years. Internationally renowned for its research into developmental and disease biology, the Institute has made pioneering contributions across a broad range of scientific fields, including stem cell biology, cellular reprogramming, epigenetics and the understanding and treatment of human disease.

As Business and Operations Manager, you will lead the Institute's professional services and facilities teams, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, efficient and responsive support across administration, finance, human resources, facilities and business operations.

Managing a team of nine professional services and facilities managers, you will provide strategic leadership that enables our researchers to deliver world-leading science.

You will oversee operational resources of approximately £5 million and working in partnership with the Institute Director, help manage and steward a research grant portfolio worth more than £50 million.

As a key member of the Institute's senior leadership team, you will provide expert advice to the Director and senior academic colleagues, contributing to strategic planning, organisational development, governance and operational excellence. You will ensure robust systems, processes and controls are in place while fostering a collaborative, high-performing and inclusive working environment.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished operational leader with significant experience of managing administration and leading teams and will have:

• Significant experience in administration and operational management.
• Proven leadership and line management experience.
• Strong knowledge of finance and HR policies and procedures.
• Experience of leading organisational change and implementing new strategies and processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to build effective relationships with colleagues, academic visitors and stakeholders at all levels.
• A first degree (or equivalent qualification or experience). Experience of Higher Education administration would be advantageous.

Further details about the role can be found in the Further Information document.

In return, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• 41 days' annual leave (including bank holidays).
• A generous and highly competitive pension scheme.
• A wide range of employee benefits, including a discounts portal, Cycle to Work scheme, access to the University Accommodation Service, Employee Assistance Programme and family-friendly policies.
• Extensive personal and professional development opportunities, including University training courses.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning, job shadowing opportunities and established career development pathways.

This is a permanent position and is available immediately. 

Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed and should be directed to Anna O'Mahony at admin.ops@gurdon.cam.ac.uk.

For enquiries about the application process, please contact HR@gurdon.cam.ac.uk. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Please quote reference PR50214 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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