Service Improvement Lead

FOCUS, Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JD

Location: Hybrid, office base at Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JD  

Salary: Grade 9: £57,721–£66,608 per annum 

Contract: Full Time with part-time applications of 0.8 FTE or above considered), Permanent Contract  

About Us 

Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for eleven consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.  

Focus is the University’s internal service improvement team. We work with individuals, teams, leadership groups, departments and divisions to improve professional services, combining hands-on improvement support with developing service improvement and change capability across the University.  

What We Offer  

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:  

• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.  
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.  
• A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.  
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.  
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.  
• Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.   

About the Role  

As Service Improvement Lead, you will be a senior member of the Focus team, leading strategic service improvement partnering across a portfolio of professional services.  

Leading a team of Focus improvement practitioners, you will work closely with senior University leaders and Shared Leadership Groups to understand services, identify systemic opportunities for improvement and develop recommendations, business cases and roadmaps for change. You will provide constructive challenge and expert advice, while ensuring that the right service improvement, continuous improvement, service design and change expertise is brought together to address each challenge.  

This is a senior role, but not one removed from delivery: you will remain directly involved where your expertise can make the greatest difference, particularly on complex, sensitive or high-priority work.  

We are looking for someone with significant experience of leading service improvement and change in a complex organisation. You will be comfortable working with senior leaders, making sense of complex organisational problems and translating evidence into clear choices and practical action. You will combine strategic thinking with strong facilitation, influencing and people leadership skills.    

Application Process  

To apply, please upload:  

• A covering letter/supporting statement  
• Your CV  
• The details of two referees   

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Thursday 19 November.    

Interviews will take place on 1 December. 

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