Executive Director of University Operations

As we face into a challenging funding landscape, we are looking for an individual with a strong track record as a leader who is highly collaborative in their delivery of operational and digital strategy, planning and implementation; and with experience in leading and delivering transformation and change, building and continuously improving the efficiency of operations and effectiveness of processes to better meet the needs of our people. The individual will be financially astute with strong analytical skills and data mindset, with high levels of organisation skills, communication and emotional intelligence.

The Executive Director of University Operations will be the Co-Chair of the Global Operations Executive with the University Vice-Principal and will work closely with leaders across the University to influence the strategic agenda and drive  transformation and change across the entire University.

The post holder will work closely with our Executive Deans enabling and supporting delivery of their strategic goals. In addition, the role holder will also have responsibility for the line management of a number of professional service Directorates and accountability for delivering service transformation and change across student experience and the physical and digital estates. The role holder will deputise for the University Secretary on operational matters as and when required.

The post holder will embrace the Heriot-Watt University values, will seek to build partnership, and will look to develop key relationships across the University, adding value and benefits across the academic and professional community that makes up the University. Candidates will need to demonstrate their interest and aptitude to enjoy the culture and context of our diverse University and be able to influence and provide leadership, bringing both challenge and solutions.

As we look to the design of our next ten-year strategy (to 2035), the Executive Director of University Operations will play a pivotal role in developing and delivering the enabling strategies which will underpin financial and environmental sustainability across the group.

• As a member of the University’s senior leadership to provide visible and demonstrable leadership in the development and delivery of services and the enabling strategies which underpin and enhance the University’s mission and business priorities, reflecting our ambition, purpose, values and priorities.
• To lead and manage operational and service delivery across the University, driving forwards a programme of service effectiveness underpinned by data analysis, delivering continuous improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of processes which benefit the smooth running of the University, and the experience of our staff and students.
• To Co-Chair the Global Operations Executive with the Vice Principal, ensuring effective leadership across delivery of our enabling strategies and services, engaging across the Professional Services and Academic Leaders of the University in all locations. Through the Global Operations Executive, to provide focus and clarity on service delivery aligned to business priorities, seeking to transform efficiency and effectiveness, enhancing student and staff experience. Provide reporting to the University Executive and the Court and its Committees as required.
• To introduce and lead new ways of working which help make the University more agile and increasingly better able to use digital, data and information technologies – and the University’s global footprint – to support the evolution and transformation of the University, its services and performance.
• To lead and oversee the governance, management and performance review of service effectiveness and delivery across the Professional Services, developing and designing appropriate metrics to track and report on progress.
• To provide operational support to the Chief Operating Officers in Dubai and Malaysia, to deliver globally integrated services and service effectiveness.
• To Provide line management to the Heads of Operations in Schools; and Professional Services Directorates which currently include Estates and Facilities (which incorporates Oriam, a subsidiary company of Heriot-Watt University1), Information Services, Marketing, Recruitment Admissions and Communications, and Registry and Academic Support.
• To work in close partnership across all other areas of Professional Service including Finance, Human Resources and Planning, focussing on operational effectiveness and cost efficiency, workforce planning and organisational design across the Professional Services of the University.
• To analyse and create opportunities for improved service delivery and efficient resource management through optimisation of business contracts, working with Professional Services Leaders, Procurement and the University’s General Counsel and Governance and Legal Services team to procure services as part of the overall value chain to the University.
• To work closely with members across the University Executive team and Global Operations Executive teams, leading the operational management across all campuses, convening regular meetings of the COOs and of the Directors of all Professional Services for briefings, delivery planning, monitoring and reporting.

• To establish effective relationships across the leadership team globally and develop a clear understanding of the mission and strategy of the University.
• To develop the strategy and operational plan for our enabling services, designed to better enable the University to deliver its mission and priorities, improving staff and student experience whilst recognising the need for efficient resource modelling.
• To create the operational and resource plan for services, informed by a data driven approach and establishing the methodology to measure progress.
• To build services which support growth in business through multi-mode, global education and research activities, whilst delivering great outcomes in staff and student experience.

The Executive Director of University Operations is a member of the University’s Senior leadership team, with direct responsibility for around 960 staff (of the total Professional Services staff headcount of 1700); and a budget of c£85m within the Heriot-Watt group turnover of c£300m. The sphere of influence and responsibility in the role is across all campuses and all services.

Organisational Reporting line

To the University Secretary who reports to the Principal and Vice Chancellor, and the Chair of Court.

• Leadership: Ability to lead and influence outcomes, setting a compelling vision for service delivery relative to the mission and purpose of the University and aligned to its values. An insightful leader, with the ability to deliver transformational change, working in partnership and delivering improvements which benefit the experience of the staff and students of the University.
• Relationships and Communication: Ability to build relationships across a complex and diverse organisation, demonstrating high levels of emotional intelligence, operating with integrity, openness and honesty. Experienced in working collaboratively and able to communicate using clear and simple language, turning complex matters into clear messaging and pathways forwards.
• Strategy and Change Management: a strategic thinker with excellent organisational skills, able to translate strategy into operational plans which are measurable, and which deliver change effectively driving a cycle of continuous improvement.
• Technical: highly developed people and resource management skills, digitally literate with experience of delivering digital transformation; financially astute with strong analytical skills and data mindset.

We are looking for candidates qualified to at least first degree level or equivalent, with at least 5 years’ experience working at senior management level in a large, complex organisation, with a proven ability to operate at scale.

• An experienced, forward-thinking digitally fluent leader of organisational transformation who can work across global cultures.
• A strong record of strategic leadership and operational management, with sufficient understanding of the multiple demands on a complex global organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of strategic business planning and implementation underpinned by a proven track record of achieving results.
• Evidence of business acumen and commercial awareness with experience of outsourcing, procuring and working with third party service providers.
• Experience in working in matrix structures across functional teams and across lines of responsibility.
• Experience of leading transformational change programmes involving infrastructure, digital processes and systems, and people.
• Evidence of building effective and productive partnerships internally and externally and specifically evidence of collaborative working across multi- disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to lead strategically within complex funding and policy frameworks and an understanding of the key factors, trends and issues that influence organisational strategy and behaviour within this.
• Experience of operating within unionised environments is advantageous.
• A developmental and coaching approach to developing new services, resolving issues, removing barriers and improving performance.
• A commitment to people development and the University’s values and a commitment to furthering diversity and equality of opportunity

This post is based in Edinburgh and is an on-campus role. If the position is of interest please submit your covering letter and CV by the closing date of Friday 30^th August 2024.

Interviews are anticipated w/c 16th September 2024

Equality of Opportunity statement

Heriot Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and appointed on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.

Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot Watt University values diversity across our community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under-represented groups.

See here for a full copy of our candidate brochure: Executive Director of University Operations – Candidate Brochure – Accessible Version.pdf