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- Tasks: Lead the School's strategy and operations, ensuring effective delivery of its mission.
- Company: Blavatnik School of Government, a global leader in public policy education.
- Benefits: 38 days' leave, excellent pension, family-friendly policies, and social events.
- Why this job: Shape the future of governance and make a real impact on public policy worldwide.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience, strong communication skills, and financial acumen.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to employee wellbeing and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This is a senior leadership role at the heart of the School, working in close partnership with the Dean to shape and deliver its mid- to long-term strategy. The postholder will help articulate and embed the School's mission and future vision, translating strategic priorities into effective operational systems and day-to-day practice. Acting as a trusted adviser to the Dean and senior faculty, the role plays a central part in ensuring the School's ambitions are clearly understood, well-resourced, and sustainably delivered.
The role has overarching responsibility for the leadership and development of the School's professional services, spanning teaching programmes, finance, research administration, development and external relations, facilities, IT/AV, and HR. Leading a large and diverse team, including direct line management of senior professional staff, the postholder will foster a high-performing, inclusive culture and ensure staff receive responsive, high-quality support and opportunities for development.
As a senior leader within the wider University, the role also represents the School internally and externally, building strong relationships with central services, Colleges, government, donors, and other strategic partners. With stewardship of the School's resources at its core, the role oversees financial planning, business cases, space and facilities management, and major projects, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities. It also contributes to good governance, effective decision-making, and robust information systems, while supporting research, executive and online programmes, and new initiatives.
The postholder is expected to make a personal contribution to the School's growth, drawing on their professional experience, networks, and expertise to advance the School's mission and impact. You are a strategic and intellectually curious leader with the ability to think creatively, exercise sound judgement, and navigate complexity with confidence. You bring strong influencing and communication skills, are comfortable solving challenging problems, and can build trusted relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Financially fluent and analytically minded, you are able to translate data into insight and understand the wider operational and structural implications of decisions. You are an experienced people manager who leads with empathy and authority, inspiring confidence, promoting shared values, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture. Naturally outcomes-focused, you enjoy finding smarter and more effective ways of working, thrive in fast-changing environments, and have a strong track record of delivering complex projects and implementing strategy.
Above all, you bring a genuine commitment to the mission and impact of the Blavatnik School of Government and the resilience and judgement required to take and implement difficult decisions.
About the Blavatnik School of Government: Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policymaking worldwide, through three routes: teaching current and future leaders; generating research with impact; and engaging with governments and practitioners.
What we offer: The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award-winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well-known guest speakers – all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have regular coffee/cake mornings for staff, a family-friendly Halloween event, and Christmas and summer parties. As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:
- An excellent contributory pension scheme
- 38 days' annual leave
- Family leave schemes and a comprehensive range of childcare services
- Cycle loan scheme and discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
- Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
Chief Operating Officer in Oxford employer: University of Oxford
Contact Detail:
University of Oxford Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who know the Blavatnik School. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the School's mission and recent projects. Show us you’re not just a fit for the role but also passionate about what we do. Tailor your examples to highlight how your experience aligns with our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us you’re genuinely interested in the position. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role Inside Out: Before you start writing, make sure you really understand what the Chief Operating Officer role entails. Dive into the job description and highlight key responsibilities and skills. This will help us see how your experience aligns with what we're looking for.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your unique skills and experiences fit the specific needs of the Blavatnik School of Government. Use examples from your past that showcase your leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to foster a high-performing culture.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value genuine passion for our mission and impact, so don’t be afraid to share why you’re excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to our vision of better governance.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Oxford
✨Know the School's Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the Blavatnik School of Government's mission and vision. Understand how they translate their strategic priorities into operational systems. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach, especially in fostering a high-performing and inclusive culture. Share specific examples of how you've managed diverse teams and supported staff development, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since financial planning and resource stewardship are key aspects of the role, come ready to discuss your experience with budgeting, financial analysis, and how you've used data to inform decision-making in previous positions.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Highlight your ability to build trusted relationships with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with internal and external partners, as this will be vital for representing the School effectively.
