Head of Operations

Ref Number

B02-10877

Professional Expertise

Professional Services Leadership

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

£68,284-£76,244

Contract Type

Permanent

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

21-Jul-2026

About us

The Institute of Prion Diseases, part of UCL’s Faculty of Brain Sciences, is a world-leading centre for research into prion diseases and other neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. Incorporating the MRC Prion Unit, the Institute combines pioneering laboratory and clinical research to improve understanding, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of these devastating disorders.

Working closely with the National Prion Clinic, the Institute delivers internationally recognised research, specialist clinical expertise, and independent advice to policymakers worldwide. Its multidisciplinary programmes span genetics, molecular biology, immunology, clinical trials, and therapeutic development, supported by extensive national and international collaborations.

Based in the recently refurbished UCL Courtauld Building in central London’s Fitzrovia district, the Institute offers a collaborative, innovative environment for researchers, clinicians, students, and professional staff, with excellent transport links and access to the cultural amenities of one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership across the Institute's professional services functions, including finance, HR, IT, scientific support services, facilities, health and safety, and research administration.

Reporting to the Institute Director, you will lead a team of senior managers and work closely with academic and professional services colleagues to ensure the effective delivery of services that support world-class research. You will oversee planning, governance, compliance, finance, and resource management, while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to play a key role in shaping the Institute's future and enabling excellence in research and innovation.

About you

You are an experienced operational leader with a successful track record of managing professional services within a complex organisation, ideally in higher education, research, healthcare, or a similarly regulated environment.

You bring strong expertise in financial and resource management, governance, compliance, and strategic planning, with the ability to balance operational excellence with long-term organisational goals.

An effective communicator and relationship builder, you are confident working with senior leaders, academics, external partners, and professional services teams, influencing and collaborating across organisational boundaries.

You have a proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, inclusion, and wellbeing.

What we offer

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)

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

UCL campus on-site nursery

UCL campus 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.

Athena Swan Status Statement

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