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Head of Operations - Birmingham Leadership Institute

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Salary
£41,526.00 - £55,750.00
Closing date
Mar 11, 2021

Job Details

Position Details

Birmingham Leadership Institute

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £41,526 to £49,553. With potential progression once in post to £55,750 a year

Grade 8

Full time

Fixed term contract for up to 2 years

Closing Date: 10th January 2021

Job Purpose

To lead on the establishment and development of the prestigious Birmingham Leadership Institute, taking responsibility for management of Institute operations. The post holder will build and strengthen relationships with all partners and other stakeholders, manage and oversee business development, and identify opportunities for developing additional long-term strategic partnerships. They will work collaboratively to establish, implement and evaluate key objectives which align to the Institute's overall vision. As a practitioner, they will be expected to actively to contribute to the development (and where appropriate delivery) of BLI programming.

They will work in conjunction with the Director and other colleagues to effectively develop and manage the Institute's portfolio of relationships, ensuring that all activities associated with the Institute are supported to an exemplary standard and that further developments are progressed. It follows that they will simultaneously enhance and promote the Institute's profile, publicising its work, its strengths and its successes to both internal and external stakeholders.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

This is should be read as a guide to the main priorities and typical areas of activity of the post holder. These activities are subject to change over time as priorities and requirements evolve and as such it may be amended at any time following discussion with the post holder.
  • Utilising expertise in operational and project delivery the post holder will take responsibility, alongside the Director of Institute, for the successful strategic delivery of the objectives and financial outcomes as outlined in the approved 5 year business plan.
  • Responsible for the leadership and operational management of the Institute's Professional Services staff, which will include direct line management.
  • Responsible for developing and evolving a framework for continuous improvement to enable Institute members to develop their knowledge and skills in support of the business engagement strategy. In evolving this framework, this post holder is responsible for ensuring professional service roles meet the current and emerging needs of the Institute, and services provided are efficient and effective in the delivery of the strategic objectives of the Institute.
  • Develop, lead and manage a proactive business development strategy with internal and external stakeholders and partners. Manage procedures and processes to ensure that we have early notice of appropriate ITTs and other commissions.
  • Draw on leadership and management experience to make an active contribution to the development and delivery of BLI programming as aligned to the Institute business strategy.
  • Proactively engage and collaborate with existing University of Birmingham Institutes, Centres and programmes to the mutual benefit of each entity and as aligned to the aims and objectives of the Institute.
  • Take responsibility for using management tools to inform management style, making operational decisions that align to University processes, and procedures, ensuring that all decisions made are well informed, justified and communicated. Deal with any conflicts or issues arising with a high level of tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity.
  • Oversee contract negotiations with partners in conjunction with Finance and Legal Business Partners.
  • Contribute to the strategic and business 5 year planning process in conjunction with Director of Institute and Business and Planning Partners as appropriate.
  • Develop and implement measures of success and evaluation methods for the Institute generally and for its specific activities. Ensure robust review of risk and environment on a regular basis and that any required actions are undertaken in delivery of the Institute's strategic objectives.
  • Responsible for the evaluating the performance of the Institute and its specific activities, against agreed measures. Share learning from the evaluation and ensure proactive corrective measures are undertaken in order to meet the agreed milestones.
  • Review with the Director of Institute all policies and processes annually or as required. Share learning on these with others as appropriate.
  • Responsible for responses to Invitation to Tender (ITT), ensuring the bids are completed to a professional standard and to the required deadlines, working collaboratively with colleagues across campus and externally as appropriate.
  • Ensure all programme development and activity meets the required University and regulatory standard, working with Quality Assurance partners where required.
  • With the identified finance support, manage the Institute's budget on behalf of, and in consultation with, the Director, projecting and planning expenditure across the activity of the Institute, ensuring income and expenditure is tracked against targets.
  • Ensure the Director is appropriately advised on budget implications of decisions.
  • Develop a cohesive Communications Plan for the Institute, which includes guidance on how information will be disseminated across partners/stakeholders. Work with the Director of Institute and Head/s of Marketing & Communications as required. Ensure all stakeholders are engaged in the process.
  • Ensure marketing, promotional, publicity, communications and digital technology enabled activities are consistent with the Institute values and corporate requirements and adhere to the University visual identity guidelines.
  • Actively promote the Institute through ongoing development of strategic relationships, PR opportunities and client relationship management.
  • Ensure ongoing dialogue with potential clients through the articulation of the Institute's strategic ambitions and values in order to develop new business opportunities.
  • Actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation and policy and procedures are applied.
  • Actively challenges unacceptable behaviour and discrimination.


Person Specification
  • Formal education to degree level (or demonstrable and equivalent leadership experience)
  • Significant experience of effectively managing customer facing staff in complex organisational structures
  • Demonstrable success in business development and relationship management
  • Excellent leadership and management skills and the ability to motivate teams and manage performance
  • Ability to think critically, to analyse complex data and produce meaningful reports that influence policy and facilitate decision-making
  • Evidence of working with a focus on excellence and continuous service improvement
  • Strong interpersonal skills to work with senior managers across the university, external stakeholders and collaborators and colleagues at all levels both within the professional services teams and with academics
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Previous experience of the delivery of content to large scale audiences either in an academic or professional context
  • Ability to produce a variety of documentation including strategies, operational plans, business cases, financial plans and bids to internal and external organisations
  • Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, work to tight deadlines and demonstrate personal judgement and resourcefulness
  • Proactive in solving problems, using judgement and initiative to investigate and resolve any non-standard problems
  • Exceptional project planning and management skills
  • 'Can-do' attitude and a solutions-driven approach
  • Ability to work independently, to exercise professional judgement and when necessary make difficult decisions
  • Comfortable at operating at senior management level and challenging preconceptions and standard modes of operation
  • Knowledge and significant expertise in:

o Working with and influencing senior managers

o Working with management information and systems

o Resource planning and financial and budget management

o Managing operational teams in a service environment

o Human resources management

o Managing multiple complex projects

o Implementing and managing change
  • An understanding of the context in which the Birmingham Leadership Institute will operate
  • Experience of championing Equality and Diversity, fostering an inclusive working culture, and promoting equality and diversity in own work area
  • Ability to identify whether decisions will have an adverse impact on a particular group and to take appropriate action.


For informal inquiries please contact Claire Bylo, CoSS Strategic Support Manager c.bylo@bham.ac.uk

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment. We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community '

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