Head of Operations, Biochemical Engineering in London

Engineering Sciences comprises ten academic departments that undertake research and training across a great range of disciplines. Our scientists and engineers take discoveries from life sciences, pure maths, psychology, and many other areas, mix them together, add their own innovations and produce solutions the world needs. Our teaching programmes are focused on subjects that have the biggest impact on the world around us, and their content is led by the best international research. Our research is formally organised within and across academic departments. The faculty’s work also transcends the boundaries between academic subjects and departments, with members of the faculty working particularly closely with several institutes and centres, both physical and virtual, within the faculty and UCL more generally.

University College London (UCL) was a founding laboratory of the discipline of Biochemical Engineering, establishing the first UK Biochemical Engineering Department, and it is the largest international centre for teaching and research of that discipline. Biochemical Engineering’s research activity embraces three major themes: Industrial Biotechnology, Macromolecular Therapeutics, and Cell and Gene Therapy. It also hosts an EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training and two Future Manufacturing Hubs. Rated second in the UK for 'Research Strength' in REF2021, UCL's Department of Biochemical Engineering (UCLBE) is the largest academic bioprocessing group globally. Our mission is to educate future leaders and drive research innovation to solve global health, food security, and climate change challenges, improving quality of life through our outstanding biochemical engineering programmes.

About the role

This is a 12-month fixed-term role to cover maternity leave from mid October 2026. The Head of Operations (HoO) is a strategic leader who partners with the Head of Department (HoD) to translate academic vision into operational delivery, aligning departmental goals with faculty and university priorities. The HoO leads day-to-day operations, manages budgets, contributes to resourcing decisions, and ensures high-quality support for teaching, research, and strategy. This role anchors the leadership structure, working closely with the HoD day-to-day and ensuring operational consistency and strategic alignment during times when the HoD changes. The HoO fosters an inclusive, high-performing culture and drives collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. As a departmental leader, the HoO builds strong cross-university relationships and contributes to strategic initiatives. The post holder will also be required to oversee and lead day-to-day operational running of the department and support decision making through advice and guidance to the HoD and other senior leaders on university matters. With the HoD and Deputy DoO, develop and maintain the department’s organisational, operational and staffing structure.

About you

The following are some of the essential requirements for this role:

• Relevant professional experience with a high standard of education.
• Financial skills (financial management, budgeting, financial reporting and analysis).
• Experience managing change in support of institutional and local objectives.
• Successful line management and development of staff with proven team leadership and motivational skills.
• Ability to work with and through others (matrix management).
• Interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust and to influence senior colleagues and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to exercise tact and confidentiality and display a professional attitude towards colleagues, students and others.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present information effectively to a wide audience (internal and external).
• Continuous improvement mindset and ability to introduce policies, procedures, processes and systems effectively.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days).
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme.
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE).
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
• Relocation scheme for certain posts.
• On-site gym.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service.
• Discounted medical insurance.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.