Operations and Planning Manager

Job Purpose 

The Operations and Planning Manager is responsible for the delivery of a range of business services that support the general infrastructure and governance of the School. The role-holder is a member of the School Professional Services Leadership Team, working in partnership with senior colleagues across the School, College and University. The role-holder has responsibility for delivery of an efficient and effective suite of operational services and for contribution to the development of service excellence within the School’s professional services team.

The role-holder will contribute, on behalf of the School, to the University-wide change programme, embedding a culture of continuous improvement to effectively support the core business of the school.

The role reports directly to the Head of Professional Services within the School.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

1.       Strategic leadership and development of a service design model to support operations within the school with respect to facilities and reception, timetabling, academic workload, and teaching planning.

2.       Provide clear leadership and direction to the School Operations team, including responsibility for the line management of 16 staff members across various key operational areas, including 8 direct reports. Operational areas include; data analytics, PA and governance support to the School Senior Leadership Team, timetabling, teaching planning and resourcing support, facilities, and reception.

3.       Responsible for the implementation of an effective governance structure within the school, aligned with both the University’s governance and compliance framework and relevant local, national, and professional bodies within the education sector.

4.       Oversee the development of School data strategy, working closely with the Planning Insights and Analytics (PIA) team to ensure School’s management information development plans and capabilities dovetail effectively with College and University priorities and resources.

5.       Lead the development and implementation of business continuity planning for the school, liaising directly across the College and University Services to manage and mitigate the associated operational risks.

6.       Work in partnership with the School Head of Professional Services ensuring School compliance with University Health and Safety policies and procedures.

7.       Lead the School’s professional services support for the academic workload model, resourcing of teaching and assessment gaps, and timetabling.

8.       Key lead in the development of a continuous improvement framework, embedding operational excellence and developing the required organisational capability as a standard across the school.

9.       Working in collaboration with colleagues to lead various projects within the school ensuring appropriate reporting to relevant stakeholders, particularly with respect to space development and management.

10.   Proactively network and develop strong collaborative relationships across the university to share best practice and remove potential barriers to the delivery of enhanced performance.

11.   In partnership with senior leaders across the school develop an effective workforce and capacity planning framework with a key focus on the efficient alignment of people and infrastructure resources to deliver an enhanced operational support service for staff.

12.   Senior professional services lead in the school in contributing to the University’s World Changing Transformation programme and College initiatives to enhance capacity and capability in delivery of strategic objectives.

13.   Deputise for the Head of Professional Services for the School as appropriate.

14.   Chair the School’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, reporting progress and recommending process improvements as necessary to relevant College and School Committees.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential: 

A1 Degree or equivalent qualification or substantial senior level experience in a leadership capacity.

A2 Substantial knowledge of governance and business processes within a large complex organisation.

A3 Substantial knowledge of Process Improvement and Change Management.

A4 Proven track record of managing projects.

A5 Demonstrable knowledge of leading the improvement of management information capability within a complex organisation.

Desirable: 

B1 Knowledge and understanding of the HE sector and potential challenges.

B2 Knowledge of business continuity planning in a complex organisation.

Skills
Essential: 

C1 Excellent organisational leadership and management skills.

C2 Excellent communications and presentational skills.

C3 Highly effective influencing and interpersonal skills, including negotiation and diplomacy.

C4 Highly effective leadership skills as a strategic business partner

C5 Proven track record of leading business process improvement delivery and change across a complex organisation.

C6 Proven track record of successful project management.

C7 Resilient and able to maintain momentum in the face of challenges and setbacks.

C8 Understanding use of business analytics.

C9 Excellent customer service, stakeholder management and business partnering skills.

C10 The ability to develop, deliver and articulate a clear vision.

C11 The ability to develop operational plans to support strategic initiatives.

C12 Excellent ability to empower and motivate others to deliver a high-performance culture in a participative manner.

Experience
Essential 

E1 Proven track record of providing a high-quality professional service across a multi-disciplinary range in a complex organisation.

E2 Sustained proven track record using Lean / other methodology in the delivery of significant benefits to the business through process improvement/change management programmes.

E3 Extensive experience in a business partnering role, working with senior staff to formulate, develop and successfully deliver key strategic objectives.
E4 Proven track record of successfully leading high performing teams.

E5 Proven experience of leading / managing multiple teams.

E6 Significant experience of providing high quality management information to inform decision-making and of developing management information strategy.

Terms and Conditions 

Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 – £56,021 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.