Deputy Director of Operations

Overview

In this role, you will partner with the Director of Operations to establish an effective professional services provision across the Faculty of Brain Sciences and drive consistency in ways of working. You will lead or oversee projects to improve operational efficiency and embed strategic thinking across six departments while fostering an inclusive, values-driven culture. You’ll manage large teams and collaborate on cross-cutting initiatives that align with UCL’s mission and the Faculty’s goals. This is a high-impact role for someone who can translate strategy into practical operational improvements at scale.

Pay / Benefits

• 41 days’ holiday; 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Relocation support
• On-site nursery and gym
• Immigration loan

Responsibilities

• Establish professional services provision across the Faculty and standardize ways of working
• Lead and manage a portfolio of short-, medium-, and long-term operational projects
• Identify and drive organisational change across the Faculty
• Collaborate with all six departments to ensure cross-functional alignment
• Engage senior staff before and during change and enable them to support their teams
• Co-lead large projects with the Director of Operations, sometimes beyond the Faculty
• Report to the Director of Operations and work with the Dean, Vice-Deans and other senior colleagues
• Model UCL Ways of Working, Dignity at Work, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity in practice

Key requirements

• Experience as a senior operations manager in a large, complex academic environment
• Ability to translate strategic plans into operational processes and oversee business administration (estates, budget, people planning)
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and communicate insights to diverse audiences
• Proven leadership and people-management experience
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills
• Resilient, independent, and collaborative with a commitment to inclusivity

• strong interpersonal and communication skills
• collaborative and inclusive mindset
• resilience and adaptability
• change management
• budget management
• operational process design

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