Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Various Departments

Location:

Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

Salary: £48,822 to £56,535 (Full-Time/Fixed-Term-Secondment)

Closing Date:
Sunday 26 July 2026

Interview Date:
Tuesday 11 August 2026

Reference: 0517-26

Please note:

this job is only available to current employees of Lancaster University

Fixed Term/Secondment until July 2027

Lancaster University is seeking to appoint a full-time Operations Manager to provide essential support across the Faculty of Health and Medicine (FHM) and the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST). This is an exciting opportunity to lead the operational delivery of key services, ensuring effective support for academic departments and maintaining a high-quality experience for staff and students.

Working closely with the Head of Faculty Operations, you will lead the operational management functions across both faculties. Your role will provide crucial oversight of core operational aspects, including resource management and departmental operations.

• Support the effective delivery of operational services across both faculties while fostering collaboration with departments.
• Translate strategic priorities into practical operational plans, monitoring performance against agreed objectives.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to Departmental Officers and Administrators, supporting performance development and workload planning.
• Collaborate with academic colleagues, professional services teams, and central functions to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiency across both faculties.

This role operates in a fast-paced environment and requires strong organisational leadership, a commitment to service excellence, and an ability to manage complex operational activities across multiple departments.

You will be an experienced manager with a strong background in operational management, ideally within the higher education sector or a similar complex environment.

• Significant experience of managing operational delivery in a high-volume, deadline-driven setting.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams, setting high standards and effectively managing performance.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the capability to build effective relationships and inspire trust among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience of implementing operational plans and making informed decisions within defined frameworks.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and IT skills, with the ability to leverage data to inform decision-making.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, demonstrating the ability to respond to changing priorities.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, staff development, and delivering an excellent operational experience.

At Lancaster University, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative community. We work together to drive positive change and provide an outstanding experience for our students and staff.

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (pro-rata) plus University closure days and bank holidays.
• Access to an employee pension scheme and an annual flexible benefits scheme.
• A strong commitment to promoting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, with family-friendly and flexible working policies tailored to individual needs. We are members of the Athena SWAN Charter, recognising good employment practice for women working in STEM fields in higher education and research.

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.