Senior Business Operations Manager

About us

The Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London is one of the oldest law schools in England and recognised as one of the best law schools in the world.

We are based in the East Wing of Somerset House, a Grade One listed building, on our Strand Campus, a short walk from the Royal Courts of Justice and Inns of Court in the heart of legal London. Our location enables us to have excellent contacts with practitioners and policymakers,

About the role

The Senior Business Operations Manager (SBOM) provides operational leadership and management across the Faculty’s business operations and leads a portfolio of strategic projects that strengthen staff experience, engagement and organisational culture. Working within The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London, the post holder will play an important role in delivering priorities across EDI, learning and development and organisational change, aligned with King’s Strategy 2030.

The SBOM will provide management oversight of Law’s business operations including HR, departmental support, estate, health and safety compliance & staff engagement activity. The SBOM will lead and manage the Business Operations team, setting professional standards, manage workforce planning and ensuring the team is well supported to deliver high quality, consistent and solutions focused service.

Working in partnership with the Vice Dean for People and Culture, the SBOM will lead the development and delivery of strategic initiatives supporting the implementation of new academic governance structure, processes and procedures, ensuring theses are embedded effectively and sustainably. The role works in close partnership with central teams and Professional Services colleagues to deliver joined up and evidence informed improvements initiatives.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

This is a hybrid-working role where the role-holder will be on-campus for a minimum of 2 days a week, in line with King’s hybrid working policy.

About you

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

Essential criteria

• Substantial experience of leading business operations in a complex organisation, including responsibility for areas such as HR processes, finance, health & safety, compliance, estate or space, business support services, and workforce or resource planning
• Experience of leading and implementing strategic projects, service improvements or organisational change, taking work from concept through to delivery and evaluation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly, build credibility, and handle sensitive matters with tact, diplomacy and confidentiality.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, solve complex problems proactively and maintain a high-quality service in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of building effective relationships and working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, with the ability to influence & advise senior leaders.
• Experience of managing and developing staff, including setting objectives, supporting performance, fostering a collaborative team culture & promoting professional standards.
• Ability to use data, reporting and insight to inform planning, monitor performance, evaluate initiatives & support evidence-based decision making.
• Experience of working effectively in a complex or matrix environment, including supporting senior leaders.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in higher education or another similarly complex public sector or professional services environment.
• A recognised project, programme or change management qualification, for example PRINCE2, MSP or Prosci
• Experience of using digital tools, systems or reporting platforms to improve services, streamline processes or support management information.

£53,947 to £63,350 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance