Director of Business Operations

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) are in the process of hiring for an experienced strategic leader to drive and enhance our business operations. If you are interested in leading transformational change, delivering operational excellence and leading teams to success, this may be the role for you!

About the Role

This is an exciting time to join BUCS and make a huge difference to the organisation that sits on the shoulders of those who established competitive inter-university sport competitions over a century ago, and which is responsible for the most dynamic element of the sport sector. The successful candidate will join a newly formed Senior Leadership Team, led by our Chief Executive who joined the team in the summer of 2024. This team is working closely with our board and members to ensure that University sport has a seat at the top table both in sport and in education, putting the value of sport and active participation at the heart of university life in the UK.

As BUCS Director of Business Operations, you will play a vital role in shaping the future success and sustainability of our organisation. Leading a variety of key business functions, financial reporting and strategy, risk and assurance framework, and data protection requirements, you will ensure these areas operate effectively and align closely with our strategic objectives. Furthermore, you will have oversight of corporate governance and HR, and IT and cyber security.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute directly to BUCS decision-making and long-term planning and provide leadership alongside fellow senior leaders to ensure clear operational plans are in place for all teams aligned to strategy targets, with implementation of these driven through the members of the Management Team. Through operational plans, your focus will be on driving performance, ensuring delivery against our strategic targets, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys working collaboratively, bringing teams together, and ensuring our business operations provide strong and seamless support to the wider organisation. Our values truly are at the heart of our day-to-day business at BUCS, and as a senior leader you will be expected to live these out through your work, how you lead and manage our team, and how you represent us with members, stakeholders and suppliers. This is a chance to step into a leadership role where your expertise will make a tangible difference.

If you have a strong track record in leading teams, delivering strategic outcomes, and ensuring excellence in finance, governance, risk management and operational delivery, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Working at BUCS

BUCS prides itself on being an ambitious and challenging place to work, where staff enjoy work, embrace development opportunities, and have fun. Benefits include:

• Paid Health Care Plan
• Tax-free - Cycle to work scheme
• Christmas Closure
• Volunteering Day leave
• Flexible - hybrid working
• Wellbeing and Social activities
• Company-supported Learning and Development opportunities

How to Apply

Please click on the 'Apply Now' button on the left-hand side. This will take you to the Applied platform which we use for our recruitment. Should you have any questions about the role, please contact Will Roberts.

Interview Information:

If successful, the candidate will be called to interview on the provisional date of 14 April 2025. Candidates who successfully advance to the interview stage will receive further information about logistics and tasks via email. Some candidates may proceed to a second interview, which will be communicated accordingly. If any reasonable adjustments are required, please communicate them when accepting the interview offer. Due to the expected high number of applications, it is likely we will only be able to provide feedback to those who reach the interview stage. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that, unfortunately, your application has not been successful.

Applicants should have the right to work in the UK and will be asked to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK before employment is confirmed.

Data Protection Statement

Any personal data submitted to BUCS in the course of this recruitment process will be held securely and processed solely for the purposes of recruitment. It will be held for the duration of the recruitment process, and if employed by BUCS, for the duration of the contract of employment and to fulfil the statutory, or recommended, retention periods when no longer an employee of British Universities and Colleges Sport. BUCS will comply with data protection legislation at all times and in line with BUCS Privacy Policy.