School Operations Manager

The opportunity

If you have substantial higher education operations management experience and are ready to advance your career, this is a fantastic opportunity to join our team at Central Saint Martins, part of University of the Arts London. We are seeking an Operations Manager to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of M School, one of our three academic Schools.

You will be responsible for initiating, managing, and implementing strategic planning activities in collaboration with the Dean of School and the Head of College Operations. Your responsibilities will include leading core planning for the academic year, overseeing budget management activities, managing end-to-end HR processes, leading various projects and initiatives, and coordinating the school’s operational infrastructure in partnership with other professional services teams. You will line-manage a School Administrator, overseeing workload, training and development.

About you

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in managing operations for a large unit in a similar role, working alongside a senior leader at the Dean level or equivalent. A deep understanding of the current Higher Education landscape, including the revenue and funding environment, is essential. Proven experience in coordinating the implementation of strategic plans, ideally within the higher education sector, is also required. The ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders will be key.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within a leading educational institution where creativity thrives. If you have the skills and experience we are looking for in strategic planning, budget management, HR processes, and project management, we would love to hear from you. If you have any queries about this role, or wish to have a discussion about the specific requirements of role, please do feel free to contact Kirsten Johnson, at k.johnson@csm.arts.ac.uk

If you have any queries about the application process or need any reasonable adjustments for your application, please contact the Resourcing Team at email the CSM Resourcing Team at: jobenquiries@csm.arts.ac.uk

What we offer

To recognise the hard work of our staff and their contributions, we provide a wide range of benefits – please check our careers site/Canvas for further information as conditions and exclusions apply:

▪ 34 days of annual leave and 2 days off to volunteer plus bank holidays
▪ Flexible and Dynamic working options available from the first day
▪ Discounted Medical Insurance including Digital GP service, therapies, in-patient and day-case treatment
▪ Free counselling and advice via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
▪ Sector-leading Equal Parental Leave policy (6 months full pay for both parents) 
▪ Defined-benefit LGPS pension scheme
▪ In-house training and development including apprenticeships and free places on creative courses
▪ Interest free loans on travel and tech, discounts on gym memberships, nursery fees, eye care and much more
▪ Various opportunities to attend student shows and exhibitions

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That's why we are proud to hold a Bronze Award from the Race Equality Charter (REC), are members of the Business Disability Forum and Employers for Carers, and maintain our status as a Disability Confident Scheme and Living Wage employer.