Head of Operations - Health Sciences United Kingdom
Job description
Permanent, full-time position.
The Division of Health Sciences responds to interdisciplinary challenges across the spectrum of health and social care settings. Our strategic agenda encompasses population health, applied health services research, methodological development and evidence synthesis; our expertise in quantitative and qualitative methods informs understanding of physical and mental health in individuals and populations, medicine and healthcare in society. Our experts teach across the full range of courses offered at WMS, including the BSc in Health and Medical Sciences, the renowned Warwick Doctor MBChB programme, MSc courses in Public Health, Health Research, and Medical Education, together with a range of CPD courses. We also offer supervised PhD positions. We are committed to creating a better future for patients by improving care across the life course, with a focus on innovation and real-world impact.
The Division is home to ~80 teaching-focussed academics, ~55 research academics and just under 40 research & teaching focussed academics, supported by 26 Professional Support Services Staff.
This role is advertised at an exciting time for the Division, with a refreshed strategy and a clear delivery plan, and a new leadership team. There will be discrete projects to pursue as well as general management and oversight of a large team of professional support services staff. This role will be key to implementing and embedding structural and cultural change.
We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.
To find out more or arrange an informal conversation about the role, please contact: Eleanor Edwards ([email protected]).
Interview Date: TBC.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
To work with the Head of Division (HoD) and Chief Operating Officer to provide high level professional leadership and management support for the key strategic direction and delivery of the Division’s plans and objectives, in alignment with WMS strategy. This post takes responsibility for the development, implementation, and operation of research governance infrastructure, to manage operations and processes, and oversee management information and workload planning across the Division.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategy and Planning
1. To work with the Head of Division (HOD) undertaking a lead role in the professional management support for the development and delivery of the Division’s vision and strategic delivery plan.
2. Manage the effective design, delivery and support for the Division’s research governance structures working closely with RIS ensuring full compliance with the University’s and external funder regulations.
3. Own, maintain and manage the management information to facilitate fair and equitable workload planning across the Division, liaising with research and education leaders across the School.
4. Provide high level business development support for Divisional initiatives to include consideration of new opportunities, workload and financial planning, preparation of business cases and the provision of high-level professional leadership and management support for the implementation of the new activity.
5. Act as the intermediary between the Division and the School and the University representing the Division at a senior level.
6. Build effective relationships with School and central services ensuring that the Division’s administrative structure and processes are fully aligned with the University systems and processes.
7. Ensure that the Division’s communications are effective and aligned with both the School’s and University’s strategic objectives.
2. Teaching
1. Work with the Deputy HoD (Education) undertaking a lead role in the development and delivery of the Division’s education strategic plans. This includes supporting the evaluation of opportunities for new programmes of activity, providing opportunities for all staff to contribute to education, leading programmes of activity to bring together research and teaching endeavours, and developing education leadership development opportunities.
2. Collaborating with the education delivery and leadership teams to ensure full integration of Health Sciences colleagues with the School’s education programmes, working with the HoD to ensure all staff are able to contribute effectively to education.
3. Finance
1. Oversee the Division’s budget and five-year plan, working closely with the WMS Finance as required, managing financial systems, and assisting with the development and implementation of long-term financial strategies to meet the key Divisional objectives.
2. Ensure the effective management and overview of the Division’s annual income and expenditure in line with the budget, School expectations, and University financial regulations.
3. Manage Divisional Finances with appropriate levels of budgetary control, authorising day-to-day financial transactions as required.
4. Research
1. Develop and manage the project management function with a pool of managers/administrators to support research projects from inception to delivery. Devise targeted points for project support at key junctures across the lifecycle, building effective relationships with colleagues in RIS and Finance to deliver projects efficiently across the Division.
2. Direct assurance functions for research projects, including financial oversight, data governance, and monitoring of compliance with funder obligations. Support maximisation of research income and problem solve issues as they arise.
3. Support the Deputy Head (Research) in the Division’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) preparation and submission, including the delivery of the Division’s REF Action Plan.
4. Ensure procedures are in place to monitor research activities at a strategic level and to properly understand the impact of research on the Division’s other activities.
5. Working with the Deputy Head of Division (Research), to oversee the research pipeline (Ideate) and associated management information.
6. Liaising with Pro Dean Research and associated School Research leads to ensure alignment with School strategy and support management information activity.
5. HR and Staff Management
1. Lead and manage the professional services team in the Division, including ongoing review of the effectiveness of the support structures to deliver an excellent professional services support for the strategic aims of the Division.
2. Work to promote and embed a positive working culture and collegiate environment to enable all staff to reach their full potential and to understand how their work contributes to the School’s goals.
3. Take lead responsibility for managing the process to recruit new academic and administrative staff.
4. Oversee and manage employee life cycle processes within the Division, including the process for induction, contract amendments, fixed term contracts, academic probation and promotion, performance review.
5. Collaborating with the Deputy Head of Division (People) and colleagues across HR, develop and support people initiatives promoting succession planning, teaching and research engagement, and research culture.
6. Operations
1. Support the smooth running, and where necessary the development and improvement, of the Division’s systems, processes and procedures for all aspects of its activities.
2. Manage all Divisional ongoing and future requirements regarding facilities, accommodation, and equipment.
3. Provide leadership on all research governance and compliance issues, developing and supporting governance infrastructure for research projects within the Division.
The above duties are not exhaustive and may be subject to change. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties within the scope and grading of the post.
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website.
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here.
The University of Warwick holds an Athena SWAN Silver award; a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. Further information about the work of the University in relation to Athena SWAN can be found at the following link: Athena Swan (warwick.ac.uk)
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