IIPP - Head of Operations

Ref Number

B04-07566

Professional Expertise

Administration and Business Support

Department

UCL BEAMS (B04)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

£54,931-£64,644

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

Yes

Closing Date

09-Jul-2026

About us

The Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) is a department within UCL and part of The Bartlett faculty, known internationally for its radical thinking about space, design and sustainability. The work of the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) is influencing global policy decisions and creating new policy collaborations to deliver public value-driven innovations. IIPP is founded and directed by Mariana Mazzucato, who holds the Chair in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value. The Deputy Director’s of IIPP are Rainer Kattel is Professor of Innovation and Public Governance and David Eaves Associate Professor of Digital Government. Our team brings together an interdisciplinary group of cutting-edge academics and practitioners with global experience. The mission of IIPP is to change how public value is imagined, practiced and evaluated to tackle societal challenges - and, by doing this, deliver economic growth that is innovation-led, sustainable and inclusive.

About the role

The Head of Operations is available for a UCL Internal 12 months secondment opportunity from 23 September 2026. The UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) is seeking to appoint a Head of Operations. IIPP is a department within UCL and part of the Bartlett Faculty, known internationally for its radical thinking about space, design and sustainability. The work of the institute is influencing global policy decisions and creating new policy collaborations to deliver public value-driven innovations. The role of the Head of Operations is pivotal to the Institute’s functioning and strategic development. IIPP’s ambitious, paradigm shifting mission, to change how public value is imagined, practised and evaluated to tackle societal challenges, requires a strategic thinker and motivated manager. IIPP is looking for an established leader with an excellent track record in organisational management in complex and high-paced organisations. The Head of Operations provides executive oversight of the professional services team and business partner infrastructure, alongside strategic leadership across education, research support, people, finance, operations, compliance, sustainability and risk. The postholder will lead and support professional services teams and business partners responsible for Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Health and Safety, Research Support, Education and Student Experience, Communications, EDI and Sustainability. Working closely with the Deputy Directors, the Head of Operations coordinates the annual budgeting and forecasting cycle, supports the delivery of policy impact programmes, and represents the Institute internally and externally, ensuring compliance with UCL and external regulatory requirements.

About you

Key skills include excellent line management and team leadership, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams. The role requires strong multitasking, prioritisation, negotiation and networking skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, building trust and influencing senior colleagues and diverse stakeholder groups with tact, discretion and professionalism. Confidence in communicating with senior staff and external stakeholders is essential, alongside the ability to maintain confidentiality and a professional approach with colleagues, students and others. If you wish to discuss the post informally, please contact David Eaves at d.eaves@ucl.ac.uk.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits some of which are listed 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 • 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 https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

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. You can about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/