Deputy Managing Director (London)

Support the Managing Director in the leadership and management of GBS. Make a significant contribution to the strategic decision-making across the full range of institutional activity. As a Deputy Managing Director, the post holder is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational planning of the following functions: PMO, Internal Audit and Continuous Improvement.

ROLE and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the Managing Director and senior colleagues to deliver our corporate strategy, exercising overall responsibility for the achievement of specific strategic priorities and associated actions as directed by the Managing Director.
• Ensure the provision of high quality and innovative IT/IS services, analytical tools that respond to the challenging demands, needs and aspirations of students and staff.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction key functions, working closely with colleagues from across GBS to ensure these functions are effective and robust and equipped to respond to our ambitious plans for growth over the next five years.
• Ensure that our estate is fit for purpose and well-maintained.
• Ensure the project management office delivers key initiatives, making significant impact.
• Lead the internal audit team to identify key risk areas and lead with action plans.
• Responsible for delivering an outstanding student experience, working with colleagues across GBS to ensure an integrated approach to support our students.
• Ensure that statutory compliance and accountability requirements are achieved in relation to internal and external audit.
• Take overall responsibility for building a team of strong, confident, and capable departmental leaders within their areas of accountability.
• Work proactively to ensure a culture of openness, shared responsibility, and collaboration.
• Take on tasks commensurate with the seniority of the role as directed by the Managing Director and represent GBS externally as required.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a complex organisation with responsibility for multiple operational and strategic functions.
• Proven experience supporting executive leadership in delivering corporate strategy and organisational growth.
• Demonstrable track record of leading large, cross-functional teams, including Customer Service, Estates, Facilities, IT/IS, Data, and Business Improvement functions.
• Strong strategic planning capability with experience translating strategy into operational delivery plans and measurable outcomes.
• Experience driving organisational expansion, transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven ability to enhance and deliver an outstanding customer or student experience across multiple service areas.
• Experience overseeing IT infrastructure and information systems, ensuring secure, innovative and fit-for-purpose technology solutions.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and ensuring cost-effective resource allocation.
• Experience leading internal audit, risk management, and ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Strong data literacy with the ability to use analytics and performance reporting to inform executive decision-making.
• Experience overseeing estates and facilities management within a growing organisation.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience representing an organisation externally at a senior level.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing leadership teams and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and openness.
• Strong project governance experience, including oversight of programme management or PMO functions.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills at Board and Senior Executive level.
• Educated to degree level (Engineering or equivalent professional experience).

DESIRABLE SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

• A Postgraduate qualification (MBA or relevant field)

WHAT WE OFFER:

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays
• 1-day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days
• Workplace pension scheme
• Tuition reimbursement for career development courses
• Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Tech scheme and much more
• Perks@Work discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more
• Reward and recognition programme
• £500 award employee referral scheme
• Discretionary annual performance bonus

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned.