SGSAH Head of Strategy and Operations in Glasgow

SGSAH Head of Strategy and Operations

Vacancy Reference: 211333

Company: University of Glasgow

Salary: £61,165 to £68,817 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Glasgow, G12 8QQ

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Contract

Posting date: 3 Nov 2026

Closing date: 1 Dec 2026

The Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) is seeking an exceptional strategic leader to join our senior leadership team as Head of Strategy and Operations.

Working closely with the SGSAH Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering SGSAH's strategic vision across a national consortium of 17 Higher Education Institutions. You will lead the operational strategy, governance, financial planning and organisational development of one of the UK's leading doctoral training partnerships in Arts & Humanities, ensuring sustainable, high-quality delivery.

This is a particularly exciting time to join SGSAH. A key priority for the role will be leading the transition from the AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP2) model to SGSAH's new Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) Hub and post-DTP operating model. You will ensure continuity for current award holders while establishing the governance, systems, partnerships and operational frameworks needed for future success.

As a senior leader, you will provide expert advice to the Director, Board and Executive on strategic, operational and organisational matters. You will oversee governance, risk, compliance, policy development, performance monitoring and financial management across multiple funding streams, ensuring SGSAH meets the expectations of funders, partners and stakeholders.

We are looking for a highly accomplished leader with significant experience of strategic and operational management within a complex organisation or partnership environment. You will bring expertise in governance, risk, finance, organisational planning and service improvement, alongside outstanding relationship-building, communication and people leadership skills. Experience of higher education, research funding or national collaborative programmes would be advantageous.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to SGSAH Director Maria Fusco via email Maria.Fusco@glasgow.ac.uk.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended with funding available until July 2034. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

Closing date: 23:45 on Tuesday 1st December 2026

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-working for more information.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Essential requirements

Knowledge / Qualifications (Essential):

• A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Postgraduate Qualification), or equivalent, including a relevant professional qualification, together with a broad range of professional leadership experience in strategically important specialist areas; OR the ability to demonstrate the strategic competencies, professional knowledge and leadership experience required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post.
• A2 Highly developed knowledge of strategic and operational management, including organisational planning, governance, risk, policy, financial/resource management, performance management and service development.
• A3 Substantial knowledge and understanding of complex partnership and stakeholder environments and the governance and accountability requirements associated with externally funded programmes.

Desirable:

• B1 Strong understanding of the higher education and postgraduate research environment, including doctoral education, research funding and collaborative delivery, and knowledge of UKRI/AHRC and Scottish Funding Council funding environments and requirements.
• B2 Knowledge of arts and humanities research, the cultural and creative sectors, and national or cross-institutional doctoral training structures.
• B3 Knowledge of relevant data protection, information governance, equality, accessibility and regulatory requirements.

Skills (Essential):

• C1 Highly developed strategic leadership and management skills, with the ability to shape direction, translate strategy into delivery and operate effectively with substantial independence and discretion.
• C2 Excellent analytical, judgement and problem-solving skills, including the ability to address complex, sensitive and multi-disciplinary issues and make sound decisions in uncertain or changing circumstances.
• C3 Strong financial and resource management skills, including budget planning, forecasting, prioritisation and oversight of multiple funding streams.
• C4 Highly effective interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and relationship-building skills, with the credibility to work with senior leaders, funders and partners across multiple organisations.
• C5 Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce authoritative advice, governance papers, business cases, reports and presentations for senior audiences.
• C6 Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, develop and build the capability of professional staff and to lead effectively through matrix and partnership structures.

Desirable:

• D1 Strong understanding of digital systems, data and management information and their use in supporting organisational planning, performance and service improvement.
• D2 Project, programme and/or change-management expertise relevant to complex organisational development and transformation.

Experience (Essential):

• E1 Substantial senior-level experience of leading a complex function, programme or portfolio with strategic influence and significant impact on organisational resources and delivery.
• E2 Demonstrable experience of working with and influencing senior management, governance bodies, funders and external partners across organisational boundaries.
• E3 Significant experience of managing and controlling budgets, resources and/or external funding, with a strong understanding of financial management procedures and accountability.
• E4 Extensive experience of strategic and operational planning, policy development and implementation, including leading significant organisational change or service improvement.
• E5 Demonstrable experience of establishing and improving governance, risk, assurance and performance arrangements for complex programmes or organisations.
• E6 Experience of leading and developing professional staff and managing delivery through teams, partnerships or matrix structures.

Desirable:

• F1 Senior professional experience within higher education, postgraduate research, research funding or a comparable national partnership environment.
• F2 Experience of managing major externally funded programmes and associated funder reporting and assurance requirements.
• F3 Experience of successful business case, funding proposal or organisational development work.

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