Director of College Professional Services

Job Purpose

:The Director of College Professional Services & College Operations is a Chief Operating Officer role, responsible for the development and execution of the College’s vision and strategy across the full range of our activities. They have accountability for providing strategic and senior operational leadership in the planning, implementation, and development of an efficient and effective support service across the College and wider University to enable the College to achieve its objectives and to support its future growth. Reporting to the Vice Principal / Head of College, the Director of College Professional Services & College Operations has overall responsibility for the coordination of key areas of College services and operations, for accessing central services in support of the College’s mission and for the coordination of strategic planning, policy development, resource management and infrastructure development. A major field of responsibility is the strategic development and efficiency of the College Estate. The Director of College Professional Services & College Operations is a vital member of the College leadership team, the College Management Group (CMG), and represents the College on key University committees as well as representing College interests, as agreed, within the University and externally. The post-holder has direct line management responsibility for the Professional Service functions within the College and, through the Heads of Service / School Heads of Professional Services, for all of the Professional Services staff delivering the full range of services and support for the academic business provided across the College and in our four Schools and related Centres. Main Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Provide strategic leadership in the development of College professional support services – both those managed locally and those provided to us from central teams via Business Partner relationships.2. Build positive working relationships and partnerships to drive service improvement and, where appropriate, change and to ensure successful delivery in a timely fashion against agreed KPIs.3. Lead the delivery of the high quality, customer-focused and efficient services required to ensure the implementation of College and University strategic priorities and operational plans.4. Co-ordinate the development, implementation and delivery of the College Strategy, annual Strategic Planning Review, budgeting round, risk register and similar processes, ensuring that goals and objectives are clearly articulated, optimally aligned and delivered in line with the overall University strategy and KPIs, and that these are regularly measured, monitored and acted upon.5. Provide strategic advice and support to the Vice Principal/Head of College with regard to the management and development of the College, maximising the efficiency and contribution of the College to the wider University, anticipating future change and managing plans over the longer term.6. Assume accountability for the strategic development of College policies, procedures and operational plans, aligned with those of the University, including all aspects of governance ensuring University regulatory, statutory and legislative compliance.7. Lead and ensure the effective implementation at College level of agreed University strategies, policies and procedures by working closely with the wide range of professional staff locally and centrally including by managing key Business Partner relationships and accessing services via a ‘matrix management’ model.8. Lead, manage and develop a team of professional, administrative and support services staff to ensure the provision of professional support services across all academic and service functions and to optimise the performance of the College. Actively participate, with the College Executive Team, other College Directors of Professional Services and senior University Services staff, in developing and delivering an effective University-wide support service in line with College and University strategies and the resource envelope.9. Make a leading contribution to the resource allocation and resource management process as part of the senior College team and through engagement in the strategic budget dialogue.10. Oversee delivery and support for various projects across the range of College activities, ensuring services and resources are aligned to the College’s and University’s ambitions.11. As agreed by CMG and other relevant bodies, lead and/or make a significant contribution to major change programmes typically over a period of 12-36 months in duration and typically impacting across the College/University.12. Play a leading role in College-wide business process reviews and subsequent implementation of effective and cost-efficient action plans across all College support activities in alignment with academic and financial targets.13. Ensure fit-for-purpose College-wide support services through effective communication and benchmarking with University Services, other Colleges and externally.14. As appropriate, guide and support the operation of teams, projects and initiatives outwith our usual School structures but related to the College e.g. the Doctoral Training Partnership (SGSAH) and the Scottish Council for Global Affairs.15. Implement agreed University strategies, policies and procedures by working with and through a wide range of stakeholders across the University and beyond including with key civic, community, arts, culture and heritage partners.16. Represent College interests in an ambassadorial capacity with a range of external agencies, establishing and maintaining relationships with professional bodies in the realisation of University and College strategies.17. Deputise for the Vice Principal/Head of College when required.18. Other duties as requested by the Vice Principal/Head of College. Line management responsibility: The College Director of Professional Services & College Operations has line management responsibility for the majority of the professional, administrative and support staff in the College. In practice, this post will have direct line management responsibility for the heads of functions in College Professional Services and for the most senior administrators (Heads of Professional Services) in each of the Schools (around 6 - 8 staff) with the expectation that they establish effective line management arrangements for their teams. Knowledge and Qualifications: Essential: A1 Degree/postgraduate qualification/professional qualification or equivalent plus extensive relevant experience.A2 Excellent knowledge of administrative and support systems.A3 Extensive experiential knowledge of change and project management methodology and practical applications.A4 Thorough understanding of the principles of good governanceA5 Understanding of the key challenges facing HE and the College.A6 Evidence of ongoing continuing professional developmentA7 Demonstrable fluency with financial and budgetary concepts Desirable: B1 Good knowledge of University funding and governance arrangements.B2 Experience and practical application of process design, systematic process improvement and monitoring. Skills Essential: C1 Ability to provide strategic leadership in all areas of College operations.C2 Ability to develop, deliver and articulate a clear vision.C3 Strategic thinker with the ability to develop, implement and monitor operational plans to support strategic initiatives.C4 Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with a diverse range of academic and Professional Services colleagues and leadership/management teams within and outwith the College in a positive, collaborative and constructive manner.C5 Excellent ability to empower and motivate others to deliver a high-performance culture in a participative manner.C6 Strong ability to lead and manage complex business challenges applying tact and diplomacy in sensitive or contentious issues.C7 Strong ability to lead professional teams to ensure the effective delivery of all support activities aligned with the CollegeC8 Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating clarity and focus and the ability to influence, guide and challenge.C9 Strong organisational skills with the ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously.C10 Proven ability to work on own initiative.C11 Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.C12 Extensive budgetary, financial management and analytical skills Experience Essential: E1 Track record of successfully managing significant human, fiscal and physical resources.E2 Substantial experience of working in partnership with senior colleagues to formulate, develop and implement strategies and major projectsE3 Significant leadership experience including providing strategic support in a knowledge-based organisation over an extensive period.E4 Extensive experience of leading effective multi-disciplinary teams and building a strong and responsive customer service culture.E5 Substantial experience of successfully initiating, planning and managing change encompassing staff and systems in complex organisations.E6 Significant project management experience at a senior level in wide ranging and multi-faceted areas.E7 Demonstrable experience of leading and successfully implementing change.E8 Ability to shape and leading substantive initiatives. Desirable: F1 Similar level senior management experience in a matrix structure within a large complex organisation Terms and Conditions Salary will be on Competitive on the Management, Professional and Administrative, Senior Administrative Group, level 10. This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open-ended (permanent) 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 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, benefits and discount packages.3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing. 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 here.

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