Chief Operating Officer

Under the leadership of Professor Alison Honour, our Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, this role provides an exceptional opportunity to join BU as we seek fresh and innovative opportunities for our next strategic plan through to 2035.

BU is a vibrant community and we are extremely proud of our achievements. We are well positioned to take the work that we do, and the best of our region, education, and research, to a more global stage.

In achieving our ambitions, we are seeking a Chief Operating Officer who be directly responsible for the strategic development and operational delivery of a professional services portfolio. The postholder will also play a vital role in transforming and innovating ways of working across the organisation.

The variety and scale of our ambitions require an exceptional, inspirational and strategic leader, aligned to our values, to champion, lead and enable the achievement of our future vision. Building on our successes, as a member of the University Executive Team, you would be vital in energising and driving the transformation of BU to ensure ongoing financial sustainability, innovation, resilience and growth. With credibility and integrity, you will provide high-level insight and overarching leadership across a range of professional services, transformation and areas of strategic development.

You are a well-informed senior strategic leader who is creative and solution focused, with a track record of success in large and complex organisations. With demonstrable experience of delivering change and driving organisational performance, your leadership style is inspiring and inclusive.

We’re a values-driven community, with inclusivity and innovation at the heart of our thinking. If you are excited about BU, our ambitions and want to be part of shaping the future, then we would very much welcome your application. For further information, and for a confidential discussion about the role and expectations, please contact Manjit Mundair-Lalli or Julia Roberts at Gatenbysanderson, our search partners, on bu.coo@gatenbysanderson.com

Our equality monitoring has shown that women and ethnically diverse individuals are currently under-represented within the university at a senior level. We therefore encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups.

To support and enable our staff to achieve a balance between work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

BU values and is committed to an inclusive working environment.  We seek a diverse community through attracting, developing and retaining staff from different backgrounds to contribute to inspirational learning, advancing knowledge and enriching society. 

Closing date: 4^th December 2024