Head of Operations

**Job Description**:
**Job Title**:Head of Operations - Composite Centre

**Posting Start Date**:09/07/2025

**Job Id**:1175

**School/Department**:Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

**Work Arrangement**:Full Time (Hybrid)

**Contract Type**:Permanent

**Salary per annum (£)**:60,907.00

**Closing Date**:22/07/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

**Overview**
- The University of Sheffield's AMRC Composite Centre, a leader in composites manufacturing research and innovation, seeks an enthusiastic Head of Operations (HoO) to join our team.
- Reporting to the Head of Group (HoG), the HoO will ensure the Centre's efficient operation by collaborating with the technology leadership team, including the Technical Manager, on strategy, delivery, resourcing, and finance.
- This includes proactive resource planning to ensure successful project delivery. The HoO will also champion Health, Safety, and Environmental policies, manage HR matters, and oversee a £53m composite centre shop floor operation.

**Main duties and responsibilities**
- Assist and deputise for the HOG in managing the group including staff resource allocations and financial performance management, reporting into the AMRC SLT and Composite Centre SLT.
- Work with the HOG to ensure all aspects of Health and Safety and Environmental management within the group.
- Provide stakeholder and senior management communication of project status.
- Direct line management of the Factory Management, Maintenance Engineers and Project Management personnel. This includes completing annual SRDS reviews and setting targets.
- Responsible for being the primary contact for staff about Human Resource issues, supporting line managers where necessary.
- Regular communication with staff, stakeholders, and customers.
- Maintain a high reputation through project delivery and customer engagement.
- Responsibility for timesheet preparation and checks for the project team to ensure they are completed correctly and on time.
- Support the project teams in risk management and mitigation and escalate issues promptly.
- Work with the team to ensure the group objectives are achieved to:

- Secure the long-term sustainability and growth of the Composite group while maintaining our ability to react to changing customer requirements.
- Create an outstanding environment and culture in which staff can develop and grow.
- Secure the Composite centre’s reputation at the pinnacle of composites research in the UK.
- Continue to deliver an excellent customer project experience.
- Proven experience of technical leadership in large-scale research projects being able to support the Projects Lead on more complex projects.
- Work with the senior team in the continual development of the research strategy and associated technology road maps to provide a clear direction for the group’s growth.
- Monthly review of financial forecasts for the centre, conducting detailed financial reviews of projects and cost centre spending, and working directly with AMRC Finance representatives.
- Liaise across the AMRC groups to ensure alignment and better working cross-AMRC.
- Working with the maintenance manager ensuring longer-term view is being considered whilst shorter-term priorities are being addressed and correctly prioritised.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

**Person Specification**

**Criteria**

**Essential or desirable**

**Stage(s) assessed at**
Extensive industrial knowledge of Composite Centre processes, including critical manufacturing techniques and relevant quality standards across various industries (e.g., aerospace, defence, nuclear, oil & gas).EssentialApplication form and InterviewProven leadership in research projects, demonstrated through an extensive portfolio and experience managing funding from diverse sources (e.g., Catapult, IUK, ATI)EssentialApplication form and InterviewSubstantial project management experience in an engineering or research organization, including strategic decision-making and consideration of financial impact, resourcing, scope, and timeframes for large programsEssentialApplication form and InterviewExceptional client-facing and customer service experience across all business levelsEssentialApplication form and InterviewStrong track record in business development, with an ability to provide partners with confidence and demonstrable value from their engagementsEssentialApplication form and InterviewProven capabilities in stakeholder management practicesEssentialInterviewProfi