The Business Operations Manager leads the team supporting business operations in King’s Foundations, which is part of the Centre for International Education and Languages (CIEL), and oversees support for key operational functions of HR, finance and procurement, space, health and safety, compliance and initiatives related to people and culture. The post will play a strategic role in the department by leading on business operations and working with the Head of Operations and the CIEL Director on the planning process, budget setting and responsibility for managing departmental finances and resources

 

 

The role holder will report to Head of Operations and will oversee a comprehensive and efficient administrative support to King’s Foundations in line with the operational plan and strategic objectives and in accordance with CIEL and university priorities, timelines and policies. They will have a dotted line to the CIEL Senior Business Operations Manager and will work closely with this postholder to ensure King’s Foundations business operations are aligned to those of CIEL.

They will be the leading member of the Business Operations Team with line management responsibility for the two Senior Business Operations Officers and overall responsibility for all the areas delivered by the team.

They work independently, using their own initiative and judgement in problem solving, risk identification, and to determine short and long-term priorities. They collaborate with the King’s Foundations management team and diverse stakeholders across the university and externally to deliver efficient and effective business operations. Utilising their knowledge and expertise, the post holder is expected to make timely and considered decisions, discussing and escalating more complicated matters that have a wide impact.

 

The post holder has responsibility for managing and overseeing local finances, both pay and non-pay budgets, generating purchase orders, invoices and foreign payments, provide costings for projects, journalling miscoded transactions and monitoring income and expenditure. They will oversee operations associated with staffing using the King’s College London (KCL) HR system (PeopleXD).

 

They will use standard operating processes and procedures, and work closely with their manager and wider team, to ensure compliance with regulations governing local activities. They will support the day-to-day and longer-term planning to ensure that all activities are delivered to a high standard. They will work collaboratively to improve processes to make them as efficient as possible. The post may be expected to manage projects and resources, working to put in place ongoing business continuity and service resilience.

The post would suit someone who is proactive in delivering and coordinating a range of activities and is able to work independently, effectively managing competing priorities and has a good attention to detail. They will be a problem-solver and an advocate for process improvement and innovation. They must also be able to build and maintain effective working relationships across King’s Foundations, CIEL and central KCL teams to facilitate operational delivery and planning, and be committed to principles of culture, equality, diversity, and inclusion and supporting cultural change.

 

The post holder will gain invaluable experience in a wide range of operations, working with colleagues to support the student experience and academic impact of the university. This post is part of the business operations career pathway in the university, with progression and skills training opportunities to facilitate further development.

This is a full time and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

 

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

1.      Experience of managing budgetary and financial processes with strong numeracy and data analysis skills

2.      Experience of delivering HR operations, including coordinating recruitment activity

3.      Experience of line management and creating high performing teams, including motivating staff, performance management and maintaining a positive, proactive culture of continual review and development.

4.      Good understanding of Health & Safety and risk management.

5.      Proficient IT skills – in particular Microsoft Office 365 applications (including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MS Forms & Power BI reporting) and experience of utilising digital technology in day-to-day work.

6.      Proven good communication, comprehension and interpersonal skills in order to receive, understand and relay information (in writing & verbally) of varying complexity to various groups.

7.      Experience of leading process and procedures reviews, propose improvements and leading and managing the implementation of change

8.      Excellent task management and analysis skills and ability to work under pressure in a busy environment with a record of delivering on time and within budget.

 

1.      Experience of working in Higher Education, research, academic or non-profit sector.

2.      Interest in higher education business operations in the UK and an awareness of current challenges in the sector.

3.      A business operations / business administration qualification and / or evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to the post

 

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

 

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

 

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King’s.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held during w/c 1st December