Job Purpose

The Director of Professional Services is a Chief Operating Officer role, responsible for the development and execution of the College’s vision and strategy across the full range of our activities. They have accountability for leading the professional support staff, providing outstanding services in support of our academic business in accordance with the key strategic objectives of the College.   Reporting to the Vice Principal/Head of College, they have overall responsibility for the co-ordination of strategic planning, policy development, resource management and infrastructure development. A major field of responsibility is the strategic development and efficiency of the College Estate.

The Director of Professional Services is a key member of the College leadership team, the College Management Group (CMG), and represents the College on key University committees as well as representing College interests with external agencies.  The Director of Professional Services has direct line management responsibility for the professional service functions within the College and, through the Heads of Professional Services, all of the Professional Services staff delivering the full range of services and support for the academic business provided locally in five Schools across the College, as well as the Centre for Public Policy SUERC.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Provide strategic leadership in the development of College professional support services, delivering high quality, customer focused and efficient services required to ensure the implementation of College and University strategic priorities and operational plans, driving service improvement and, where appropriate, organisational change.

2.      Co-ordinate the development, implementation and delivery of the College strategic plans ensuring that goals and objectives are clearly articulated, optimally aligned and delivered in line with the overall University strategy and KPIs, and that these are regularly measured, monitored and acted upon.

3.      Provide strategic advice and support to the Vice Principal/Head of College regarding leadership, management and development of the College, maximising efficiency and contribution of the College, its associated structures and across the wider University, anticipating future change and managing plans over the longer term.

4.      Contribute to and be accountable for the strategic development of College policies, procedures and operational plans, aligned with those of the University, including all aspects of governance ensuring University regulatory, statutory and legislative compliance.

5.      Lead the strategic development and efficiency of the College Estate.

6.      Deliver College budgets and general income within policies agreed with the Vice-Principal/Head of College in pursuit of College strategies and objectives.

7.      Lead, manage and develop a team of professional, technical, administrative and support services staff to ensure the provision of professional support services across all academic and resource functions optimising the performance of the College.

8.      Play a leading role in College wide business process reviews and subsequent implementation of effective and cost-efficient action plans across all College support activities to ensure fit-for-purpose University-wide support services through effective communication and benchmarking with University Services and other Colleges, as well as the wider sector as appropriate.

9.      Oversee delivery and support for the College Internationalisation strategy, ensuring services and resources are aligned to College/University ambitions.

10.   Contribute to the organisation and development of professional services across the University as a member of the Professional Services Group chaired by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and University Secretary.

11.   Implement agreed University strategies, policies and procedures by working with and through a wide range of stakeholders across the University.

12.   Represent College interests in an ambassadorial capacity with a range of external agencies, establishing and maintaining relationships with professional bodies in the realisation of University and College strategies.

13.   To lead/manage on specific projects as requested by the Head of College and/or COO, including convening key committees.

14.   Deputise for the Vice Principal/Head of College when required.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Degree/postgraduate qualification/professional qualification or equivalent plus extensive relevant experience

A2 Excellent knowledge of administrative and support systems and extensive experiential knowledge of change and project management methodology and practical applications

A3 Excellent knowledge of key funding agencies and existing or potential industrial partners

A4 Good understanding of the specialist equipment needs of CoSS teaching and research

A5 Thorough understanding of the principles of good governance

A6 Understanding of the key challenges facing HE and the College

Desirable:

B1 Good knowledge of University funding and governance arrangements

B2 Experience and practical application of process design, systematic process improvement and monitoring

Skills

Essential:

C1 Ability to provide strategic leadership in all areas of College operations

C2 Ability to develop and articulate a clear vision and deliver

C3 Strategic thinker with the ability to develop operational plans to support strategic initiatives

C4 Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with a diverse range of colleagues in a positive, collaborative and constructive manner, balancing the priorities and needs of College and University stakeholders

C5 Proven ability to empower and motivate others to deliver a high-performance culture in a participative manner

C6 Strong ability to lead and manage complex business challenges applying tact and diplomacy in sensitive or contentious issues

C7 Strong ability to lead professional teams to ensure the effective delivery of all support activities aligned with the College

C8 Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating clarity and focus and the ability to influence, guide and challenge

C9 Strong organisational skills with the ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously.

C10 Excellent presentation skills

C11 Excellent budgetary, financial management and analytical skills

Experience

Essential:

E1 Track record of successfully managing significant human, fiscal and physical resources

E2 Substantial experience of working in partnership with senior colleagues to formulate, develop and implement strategies and major projects

E3 Significant leadership experience including providing strategic support in a knowledge-based organisation over an extensive period

E4 Extensive experience of leading effective multi-disciplinary teams and building a strong and responsive customer service culture

E5 Substantial experience of successfully initiating, planning and managing change encompassing staff and systems in complex organisations

E6 Significant project management experience at a senior level in wide ranging and multi-faceted areas

E7 Demonstrable experience of leading and successfully implementing change

E8 Ability to shape and lead substantive project/change initiatives

Desirable:

F1 Similar level senior management experience in a matrix structure within a large complex organisation

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Competitive on the Management, Professional and Administrative, Senior Administrative Group, Grade 10.

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

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff,   pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your  health and wellbeing.

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. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community    here.

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

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-working for more information..

Closing date: 23:45 on Tuesday 27th May 2025