Deputy Head of Operations

What we offer

A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

To apply for the vacancy please click on the '

If you have any queries regarding the vacancy or the application process, please contact Kati Massey at k.massey@ucl.ac.uk

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the HR team at cege-hr@ucl.ac.uk.

The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work - please visit UCL Ways of Working to find out more.

In the event we get a high number of applications, we may close the advert early before the published closing date. As a minimum we will keep all adverts open for 2 weeks.

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) (pro-rata)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit UCL Staff Benefits to find out more.

About us

For two centuries, the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (CEGE) has hosted pioneers of scientific approaches to complex problems. Our teaching and research are designed to bring positive change to human society and the natural environment. We do so by collaborating across disciplines and working with and for people. Our students are not passive learners: they get to address real-world challenges, whether local or global, in partnership with industrial stakeholders. Our success is built on the vast diversity in expertise and backgrounds of our staff and students, as well as our world-leading facilities.

CEGE is based on the Bloomsbury campus and features extensive teaching and research laboratories and workshop facilities.

The department also operates a structural and environmental testing facility for large-scale experiments and a large-scale robotics laboratory at UCL Here East in Stratford, East London.

In Dagenham, CEGE hosts two unique research environments: the Person-Environment-Activity Research Laboratory (PEARL), which investigates how people interact with their surroundings, and the Controlled Active Ventilation Environments (CAVE) laboratory, focused on innovative ventilation systems.

About the role

We are seeking a Deputy Head of Operations (Internal Applicants Only) to support the Head of Operations in translating the department's academic vision and strategic priorities into effective operational delivery.

This is a broad senior role spanning planning, finance, people, space, governance, compliance, risk, communications and service improvement. You will work closely with the Head of Operations, Head of Department and senior leadership team, providing advice, analysis and operational leadership to support effective decision-making and the smooth running of the department.

A particular focus of this fixed-term role will be providing continuity and resilience during a period of organisational change, including supporting transition and knowledge retention through EASE changes and Service Simplification.

You will work across the department's Bloomsbury, Here East and Dagenham East sites, build strong relationships across UCL's matrix environment, and deputise for the Head of Operations as required.

This is a fixed-term role until 28th February 2027 in the first instance.

This is an Internal recruitment advert (eligible UCL workers only) and also available as an internal secondment role (current UCL staff only).

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 40% on-site.

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

About you

As a Deputy Head of Operations, you will be an experienced operational leader who is comfortable working across a broad portfolio and navigating a large, complex organisation. You will combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, using sound judgement, evidence and organisational awareness to identify priorities, manage risk and maintain momentum.

You will bring strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work effectively with senior academic and professional services colleagues and to operate successfully within a matrix environment. You will be collaborative and inclusive in your approach, while also being comfortable making decisions, managing competing demands and providing clear advice where there may not be an obvious answer.

Experience of organisational change, service improvement and operational planning will be particularly valuable. You will also have a strong commitment to creating a positive and inclusive working culture, supporting colleagues through change and helping teams work effectively across organisational boundaries.

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 Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

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