Please note that this vacancy is only open to current University of Glasgow employees. 

Job Purpose

As a member of both the School Executive and the College Administrative Management Group, the post holder will make a significant contribution to shaping the long-term strategic direction of the School/College/University in partnership with senior leaders.  They will play a lead role in the successful implementation of College and School strategy, objectives and policies and will be responsible for driving measurable improvements in service delivery.

The post is accountable to the College Director of Professional Services, with day-to-day responsibility to the Head of School and line management by the Deputy College Director of Professional Services.  It includes full responsibility for professional support services in the School - covering research; learning & teaching; commercial/clinical areas and School-wide operations - and involves direct and indirect line management of all professional, administrative, technical, and operational staff within these functions in the School.

The post holder will work in partnership with the clinical leaders to support delivery of the objectives for the external facing services They will also have a key role in the management of professional support services in these areas, providing leadership and management support to local PSS managers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Manage the strategic planning process for the School and play a key role in developing and delivering School strategy to meet College and University objectives, targets, KPIs and external accreditation requirements.

2.  Lead and manage groups of professional services staff in a range of functional areas (see below) to maximise service delivery standards, productivity and job satisfaction, ensuring the ongoing development of team members’ knowledge and capabilities to meet current and future requirements:

- research (strategy support, laboratory management and postgraduate student administration)

- learning & teaching (marketing, recruitment & admissions; programme & course delivery; student experience)

- operations (governance; accreditation; estates; health & safety; diversity & inclusion; communications; external relations and local HR & finance)

- commercial/clinical areas

3.  Lead periodic evaluation of professional services: monitoring and reviewing service standards and operating models/structures, drawing on best practice and ensuring alignment with broader College and University services.

4.  Contribute senior management insight into the delivery and development of professional support services in the School’s commercial/clinical areas (small and equine hospitals, veterinary diagnostic services and the farm).

5.  Initiate, lead and manage change projects within the School (including their financial management) to improve quality, effectiveness and efficiency and manage the School’s contribution to College/University level projects.

6.  Ensure, in conjunction with the Head of School and School Executive, compliance with, and understanding of, relevant legislation, regulations and accreditation requirements including those of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

7.  Assist the School’s Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion to strengthen the School’s culture and impact including but not limited to the Athena Swan Charter; within this, initiate and manage specific actions for professional services staff.

8.  Lead estates management for the School across 4 geographically distant sites (Cochno, Garscube, Gilmorehill and SCENE) with over 30 buildings including CL3/CL2 lab space; 2 hospitals; a farm and research centre; production animal facilities; a post-mortem room; an anatomy laboratory; 3 commercial diagnostics laboratories; a field station; aviaries; aquaria; a clinical skills facility (including small mammal and reptile units) and 11 residential properties in addition to research labs; teaching spaces (lecture theatres, labs, computer clusters and tutorial rooms) and office space; including leadership responsibility with the Head of School for new building infrastructure and development.

9.  Provide high level insight and guidance to the Head of School and other senior colleagues on the management of risks and challenges, and play a leading role in resolving complex issues arising across the School including student and staffing matters.

10.  Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the College Business Partners for finance, people & organisational development and estates & facilities and senior colleagues in University Services departments.

11.  Develop, with the Head of School and other senior colleagues as appropriate, external partnerships and networks to enhance the School’s reputation at local, national and international levels.

12.  Undertake other duties as are assigned by the College Director of Professional Services and Head of School.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours degree, postgraduate qualification) or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in a relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a similar management level role or, ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles.
A2 Knowledge of regulatory/accreditation requirements.

A3 Knowledge of governance and business processes in a large complex organisation.
A4 Broad knowledge of Lean/process improvement and change management.

A5 Knowledge and understanding of the HE sector and potential challenges ideally to include a sector wide understanding of the disciplines represented in the School.

A6 Broad knowledge of financial management within a budgetary control framework.

Desirable

B1 A relevant postgraduate qualification.

B2 Knowledge of the regulatory/professional bodies in veterinary medicine B3 Good knowledge of University funding and governance arrangements.

Skills

Essential

C1 Excellent communications and presentational skills.
C2 Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly influencing, negotiation and diplomacy.

C3 Resilient and able to maintain momentum in the face of challenges and setbacks.
C4 Understanding of financial planning and business analytics.

C5 Excellent customer service, stakeholder management and business partnering skills.
C6 Ability to develop, deliver and articulate a clear vision.

C7 Ability to develop operational plans to support strategic initiatives.

C8 Ability to initiate and manage change and deliver service improvements.

C9 Excellent ability to empower and motivate others to deliver a high-performance culture in a participative manner.

C10 Ability to develop and maintain networks with key colleagues nationally and internationally in the sector.

Experience

Essential

E1 Extensive and recent administrative/financial leadership role in a large complex organisation.
E2 Extensive experience of working as an effective partner with senior colleagues to formulate, develop and implement strategies and major projects.

E3 Extensive experience of working as an effective partner with senior colleagues to manage challenging situations sensitively and, where necessary, to tight deadlines.

E4 Experience of initiating and leading successful change projects.

E5 Track record using Lean/other methodology to deliver significant business benefits through process/service improvements.

Desirable

F1 Experience of working in a similar environment eg with regulatory/professional bodies in veterinary or human medicine.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 9, £59,966 - £67,468 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

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 - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

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 https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ 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.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date:  14 December 2025