Business Operations Manager
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
To lead, manage and ensure the effective and efficient service delivery of the Crown Office Contract (a major external contract to provide forensic pathology services to the central legal authority in Scotland). You will be responsible for delivering continuous improvements, implementing standardised processes and practises to create a flexible and responsive service. Playing a leading role in the overall running and development of the department with prime responsibility for the management and administration of the Crown Office Contract, ensuring all obligations are fully met and that financial penalties are not incurred.
Main duties & responsibilities
- To lead on the organisation of the administration team in delivering effective service delivery and compliance with the Crown Office Contract. Ensuring the efficient management and deployment of staff and resources.
- In partnership with the Technical Operations Manager deliver, implement and achieve a high-quality service and lead an effective, flexible and responsive team.
- To review and lead on the provision and management of ensuring accurate departmental data is continually maintained. To organise timely and professional preparation and presentation of statistical and management information to internal and external bodies.
- o oversee the day-to-day smooth operation of the administration team, making management decisions and taking responsibility for daily critical issues to reduce any risk management factors that could impact on contract performance therefore requiring proactive solutions to safeguard all key stakeholders both internally and externally.
- To deputise and support the Technical Operations Manager in ensuring the provision and management of IT functions, security procedures and estates requirements across the department are maintained.
- To oversee all financial records/budgets within the department responsible for the daily tracking and authorisation of expenditure to ensure good financial management and compliance with University financial guidelines. Working closely with the finance team to update and continually review forecasts and budgets.
- To proactively, review, develop and implement working practices, systems, processes and procedures to continually improve and maximise service delivery to ensure operations are streamlined and deliver quality.
- Make a leading contribution towards developing a detailed knowledge and understanding of the contractual terms and legal conditions of the Crown Office Contract in order to ensure full compliance and governance.
- To proactively work in partnership with the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, Police Scotland and NHS Trusts and take a leading role in developing and building effective networks and collaborations.
- To oversee team members are trained have the required knowledge and understanding to be able to provide up-to-date guidance, advice, support information etc. to key stakeholders.
- Where required, actively engage, and contribute towards School related activities liaising with colleagues and stakeholders with enquiries, preparing reports and statistical information and providing professional guidance on administrative processes used across the School and College.
- Working in partnership with the Head of Professional Services and other Senior School colleagues to contribute with wider school projects and key strategic priorities as and when required.
- Engage in reasonable professional development activities as appropriate.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the team.
Knowledge and qualifications
Essential
- Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4) or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)
OR
- Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar leadership role.
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Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of GDPR and handling of highly sensitive information.
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Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of IT security (e.g., networks, servers and Cyber Security).
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Knowledge of privacy and data protection issues and an understanding of the legal requirements of working with highly sensitive information.
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Broad knowledge of budget management and financial controls in a complex environment.
Desirable
- Working knowledge of Databases (e.g., Agresso) and reporting tools with a broad understanding of financial management and budgeting.
- Working Knowledge of forensic services and up to date knowledge of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal procedures.
- Working knowledge and understanding of University policies, procedures and application (e.g., People Management, Finance etc.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to perform at a very high level of management responsibility and accountability.
- Proven financial management skills including monitoring, reporting and advising on financial courses of action.
- Ability to lead and motivate multi disciplinary teams to deliver projects on time, within budget and to a declared standard.
- Excellent people leadership and management skills with demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to risk manage.
- Well-developed time management skills with a proven ability to deal effectively with competing priorities and deadlines and working under pressure.
- A high degree of flexibility, ability to use negotiation and influencing skills with diplomacy and efficiency in a highly pressured environment.
- Excellent IT skills and experience particularly in the operation of Microsoft Office with the ability to interpret manipulate and present data. Experience of using bespoke databases.
- Proven ability to work proactively and independently, setting own priorities and targets and using initiative to solve problems.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with proven interpersonal skills dealing with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Proven ability of delivering tact, confidentiality, diplomacy and discretion.
Desirable
- Ability to manage change in procedures and working practices and promote constructive change.
Experience
Essential
- An established track record of senior support experience in complex organisations.
- Track record of demonstrating analytical and organisation skills with the ability to plan, project management and problem solve.
- Extensive and recent experience of managing, developing and motivating high performance teams with various experience and skill set.
- Experience of supervising or managing work of others, delegating tasks and managing quality.
- Significant experience of working in a similar role in a process driven environment.
- Experience of delivering an efficient and high-quality service for a variety of key stakeholders, providing advice and guidance to others on governance, compliance and service delivery matters.
- Significant experience of using a broad range of IT skills to interpret, manipulate and present data.
- Considerable experience of successful Project Management, delivering on large contracts and development of a complex project/contract.
- Demonstrable experience and competency in planning, scheduling, costing, managing resources, quality and risks.
Desirable
- Specifically, strong financial experience, particularly with University systems and external funding bodies.
- Demonstrate experience, management ability and knowledge in a specialist forensic area.
- Experience of working with external partners (e.g. senior civil service level).
World-Changing Campus
We have delivered one of the most significant expansions of a UK university city campus for over a century.
Over the last decade, the University of Glasgow has invested in its estate to expand its world-class campus and facilities.
An area covering 14 acres of land next to our magnificent Gilmorehill campus has been redeveloped to build a mix of modern research, teaching and public spaces.
Our new buildings will mean the University remains a centre for world-changing research, as well as a vibrant community hub and centre for public engagement.
The development will transform our teaching, learning and research spaces. It will allow us to bring together the best minds of today and tomorrow within world-class interdisciplinary research spaces that offer flexibility and stimulate collaboration, and modern study spaces that will combine study and social learning space with technology enabled teaching.
- The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) is changing the way research is conducted at Glasgow. The ARC is the creative and collaborative heart of research at the University of Glasgow, bridging the boundaries between research, cross-subject collaboration and true societal impact . The ARC brings more than 500 world-leading researchers from a range of disciplines together in a building specifically designed to break down organisational structure and facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary work.
- The James McCune Smith Learning Hub is an inspirational and diverse learning space. The flagship building was the first to be completed as part of our campus development, and provides a creative environment, combining flexible study and social learning space with multi-styled and technology-enabled teaching. It can accommodate more than 2,500 students, and includes a lecture theatre with capacity for 500 students. State-of-the-art teaching facilities, with flexible study spaces and interactive teaching for students, help to create a more immersive learning experience.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shop-a-holic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength, and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
How to apply
Full details of the role and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
Closing date: 23:45 on Thursday 10th April 2025
Terms & Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.
This post is full time and Open ended with funding end date. This post is subject to external funding which is currently under review. At present, funding is available until 31 March 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.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.