StoryFutures and CoSTAR Operations Director in Egham

This is a flagship senior leadership role responsible for the operational strategy, governance, financial stewardship and long-term sustainability of the CoSTAR National Lab (CSNL) and StoryFutures Strategic Business Unit (SBU), based at Royal Holloway, University of London. The Operations Director will provide strategic leadership for the systems, infrastructure and delivery frameworks that underpin the UK’s largest ever investment in creative industries R&D.

Working in close partnership with the CSNL Director and StoryFutures Directors, the postholder will ensure that a complex, multi-partner, multi-funder national research infrastructure operates with excellence, integrity and long-term financial resilience. This role is central to establishing CSNL as a world-leading national innovation lab.

The Operations Director will oversee governance structures, financial planning and control, risk management, procurement, contracting and compliance, ensuring that significant public investment is protected and effectively deployed. They will shape scalable operating models that enable growth, commercial R&D, infrastructure utilisation and long-term sustainability beyond initial grant funding.

Working across Royal Holloway, partner universities, industry collaborators and CoSTAR network labs, the Operations Director will align institutional, funder and partner requirements to support cutting-edge research, industry access programmes, infrastructure development and commercial engagement. They will act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and governance bodies, ensuring robust assurance and positioning the Lab for long-term economic and operational success.

This is a Director-level role with delegated authority across operational and financial matters and the capacity to deputise for senior leadership when required.

About the CoSTAR National Lab: CoSTAR is the UK’s national research and innovation infrastructure for creative technology, funded by an initial £76m investment from UK Research and Innovation and delivered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). CoSTAR delivers a network of five interconnected Labs across the UK, combining world-class facilities, applied research, skills development and enterprise support for the creative industries.

The CoSTAR National Lab, led by Royal Holloway, University of London, represents a £51.1m commitment and is the largest single investment in AHRC’s history. Opening at Pinewood Studios in 2026, CSNL will include state-of-the-art studio and stage facilities, advanced creative computing, AI, cloud and virtual production infrastructure. The National Lab works in partnership with the University of Surrey, Abertay University and the National Film & Television School, alongside industry partners including BT, Disguise and Pinewood Studios. CSNL also delivers pan-network access programmes for industry, including Piloting & Prototyping and Enterprise & Commercialisation, supporting businesses to de-risk innovation and scale new ideas. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, alongside Environmental Sustainability, are embedded at the heart of CSNL’s mission, culture and programmes.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Providing strategic operational leadership for the CoSTAR National Lab and StoryFutures SBU, ensuring effective governance, compliance and delivery at national scale.
• Designing and implementing robust governance, assurance and risk management frameworks across a complex, multi-partner environment.
• Leading financial planning, budgeting and forecasting across a multi-stream funding portfolio, ensuring audit readiness and long-term sustainability.
• Developing and delivering sustainable business and commercial models to secure the Lab’s future beyond initial grant funding.
• Overseeing major procurement, contracting and infrastructure programmes in line with public funding regulations.
• Aligning capital, estate and operational delivery across Royal Holloway, Pinewood Studios and partner institutions.
• Supporting the development of major funding bids and investment strategies.
• Building and leading high-performing operational and delivery teams.
• Representing the Lab and University in discussions with funders, partners and strategic stakeholders.
• Ensuring that operational systems enable innovation, industry engagement and measurable impact.

You Should Apply If You:

• Have significant senior leadership experience managing complex, multi-partner research, innovation or infrastructure programmes.
• Have experience overseeing substantial public funding, including financial planning, compliance and risk management.
• Can demonstrate success in developing sustainable business models or commercial strategies within R&D or innovation environments.
• Are confident operating in regulated environments involving procurement, contracting and public funding requirements.
• Have the ability to align diverse institutional and industry stakeholders around shared strategic objectives.
• Are motivated by enabling large-scale innovation infrastructure to deliver real-world impact.
• Are committed to inclusive leadership, environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship of public investment.

This post is based at Royal Holloway, University of London, with significant working time at the CoSTAR National Lab at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, and travel across the UK as required.

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and Development opportunities
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans, and help with the cost of eyesight testing
• Free parking

Please quote the reference: 0326-092

Closing Date: 23:59, 10 April 2026

The university has adopted hybrid working for some roles therefore some remote working may be possible for this role. Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history.