Head of Professional Services

The University of Glasgow has been changing the world for more than 570 years, and today we are delighted to rank in the top 100 of universities worldwide in both the Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Professional Services to join the School of Social and Political Sciences within the College of Social Sciences. The School is a leading centre of interdisciplinary social science, bringing together research, innovation and student education to tackle the key social and political challenges of our time. The School includes over 350 academic and research staff and a large community of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Our academic staff profile spans the social sciences, with a strong international profile. The Head of Professional Services leads a current team of over 50 professional services staff.

About the role

As an integral member of the School Management Group, in this role you will be responsible for leading the School’s Professional Services team, managing support services related to student learning and teaching operations, student recruitment and marketing, teaching planning and resourcing, as well as overall School operations. Reporting to the Director of College Professional Services, you will play a pivotal role in developing and effectively implementing the School’s research and education strategy.

You will also be a key member of the Professional Services leadership team at a College level, and acting in this capacity, you will lead and contribute on behalf of the College to the university-wide change programme, fostering alignment between the strategy and execution of professional services at both School, College and University levels.

The School is currently in the process of implementing an organisational change programme that will reshape it from its current Subject Area structure to a new Divisional Structure. The new shape will be operational in September 2024, and you will play a vital role in integrating the new structure by working closely with new academic leadership teams to ensure its successful implementation.

About you

The successful candidate will possess extensive and recent administrative management/leadership experience gained within a large, complex organisation. You will have demonstrable experience working effectively with senior colleagues to formulate, develop and implement strategies and major projects. Working knowledge of using Lean/other methodology in the delivery of significant benefits to the business through process and service improvement/change management programmes is beneficial to this role.

You will demonstrate a high level of written and oral communication skills and the ability to produce and implement strategic policies. The ability to understand financial planning and business analytics is essential. You will also have influencing skills to engage effectively with key stakeholders and the ability to empower and motivate others to deliver a high-performance culture.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open-ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

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.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

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