At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and administration for a dynamic digital department.
- Company: Join the University of Bath, a diverse and inclusive institution with a global reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like free counselling, discounts, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team that values diversity and supports staff wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations management, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach are essential.
- Other info: We celebrate differences and encourage applications from all backgrounds, especially underrepresented groups.
The predicted salary is between 38249 - 45413 £ per year.
Operations Manager
Department: Digital, Data & Technology Group
Salary: Starting from £38,249, rising to £45,413
Grade: Grade 7
Contract Type: Full-Time, Open-Ended
Closing date: Sunday 10 August 2025
Reference: ED12921
Are you ready to lead and coordinate the operations that keep a digital department running efficiently?
We are seeking an experienced professional to join our Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT) team a pivotal role ensuring the department operates smoothly and effectively in support of the Universitys strategic ambitions.
As Operations Manager, you will lead all non-technical operations and administration within the department. You will work closely with the Chief Digital Officer and senior leadership team, overseeing governance processes, co-ordinating key meetings, managing reporting to university committees, and ensuring clear and timely communications across the department and beyond. Youll need to engage confidently with senior decision-makers while remaining approachable and supportive to colleagues at all levels, building trust and ensuring effective collaboration across the department.
Acting as the first point of contact for non-specialist queries, you will build strong working relationships with colleagues in HR, Finance and other professional services. You will also lead a small, diverse team, creating a positive, collaborative and inclusive working environment that supports staff wellbeing, cohesion and recognition.
In this role, you will:
– Co-ordinate governance, leadership and management meetings, ensuring reports and papers are submitted on time.
– Lead all aspects of non-technical processes and policies across the department, driving consistency and minimising duplication.
– Manage departmental communications and facilities, ensuring a safe and well-organised working environment.
– Provide high-quality administrative and strategic support to senior leaders.
– Lead budget planning and support HR-related processes in partnership with business colleagues.
We are looking for someone who:
– Has proven experience managing operations or administration in a complex environment, ideally in higher education or the public sector.
– Can lead and motivate teams to achieve high-quality outcomes.
– Is confident managing competing priorities and implementing effective governance and reporting processes.
– Works proactively, with sound judgement and excellent communication skills when engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality, receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from underrepresented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We\’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader; an autism-friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you:
We\’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us, and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
– Free counselling services through Health Assured.
– Cycle to work scheme.
– Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
– Staff discount at Team Bath gym.
– Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees.
– Staff discount on language courses.
– Generous employer contributory pension schemes.
– Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work-life balance.
– A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities, including Apprenticeships, online learning and more.
– Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath.
– Local discounts and more.
– A family-friendly workplace.
– An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce.
– Relocation allowance.
– Visa reimbursement and an Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses.
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video on our YouTube channel to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work, as well as following us on social media.
Right to Work in the UK:
We do not assess immigration or right to work status until the offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship, and all offers are conditional on meeting right-to-work requirements. Further information is available on our Application Support webpage.
Anonymous shortlisting
We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.
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Operations Manager employer: University of Bath
Contact Detail:
University of Bath Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific operations and governance processes within higher education. Understanding how these systems work will help you engage effectively with senior decision-makers and demonstrate your capability in managing non-technical operations.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles, especially within the Digital, Data & Technology sector. They can provide valuable insights into the department's culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. Highlighting your ability to motivate and support colleagues will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the university's strategic ambitions and values, particularly around diversity and inclusion. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs can set you apart as a candidate who truly understands their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations management, particularly in complex environments like higher education or the public sector. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage competing priorities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Operations Manager role. Emphasise your experience in governance processes, team leadership, and effective communication with senior stakeholders.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: When describing your previous roles, focus on your leadership style and how you foster a positive and inclusive working environment. Mention any initiatives you've led that improved team cohesion or staff wellbeing.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: Include specific achievements that demonstrate your capability in managing operations and administration. Quantify your successes where possible, such as improvements in efficiency or successful project completions.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Bath
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Operations Manager in a digital environment. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, such as coordinating governance processes and managing departmental communications.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate teams. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully managed operations or administration, especially in complex environments like higher education.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss how you would engage with senior decision-makers and colleagues at all levels. Think of ways to illustrate your excellent communication skills and how you build trust and collaboration within a team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate scenario-based questions that may assess your judgement and problem-solving abilities. Consider how you would handle competing priorities or implement effective governance processes, and be prepared to share your thought process.