Chief Operating Officer

Description

The University of Aberdeen is seeking an inspirational leader to join its Senior Management Team as Chief Operating Officer (COO). This role offers a unique opportunity to lead professional services at a globally recognised institution with significant scale. With 21,000 students and 3,500 staff from 130 nationalities, the University is one of Scotland’s leading universities, consistently ranked among the best in the UK and worldwide.

We are ranked 2nd in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for overall student satisfaction (NSS 2024) and consistently place in the UK top 20. The University is also recognised among the UK’s top ten and globally top 50 for its contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our Aberdeen 2040 vision emphasises inclusiveness, sustainability, and collaboration.

As COO, you will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our strategic goals by leading the operational and strategic development of professional services across the university. This includes overseeing key directorates, working closely with academic schools, and driving process improvements that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of services. With a focus on collaboration, the COO will foster strong partnerships across teams and ensure that professional services are fit for purpose in an evolving higher education landscape. In a time of financial challenges for the sector, the COO will also be responsible for managing costs, optimising operations, and developing new revenue streams.

We are open to applications from candidates with diverse leadership experience in large, complex organisations across various sectors, including higher education, the public sector, and the private sector. While direct experience in higher education is not required, an understanding of the issues and challenges facing the sector will be advantageous. We are looking for individuals with a proven ability to lead transformation, drive operational excellence, and build collaborative teams. The ability to balance strategic innovation with operational stability is key in this role.

This is a rare opportunity to join an institution with global reach and contribute to its future success. If you are a leader who thrives in a dynamic, large-scale environment, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson:  Ross Highfield: 07891 138 886 ross.highfield@gatenbysanderson.com

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