The University of Sunderland offers life‑changing opportunities for more than 27,500 students across our campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong, as well as through global partnerships in 19 countries. We’re an inclusive, ambitious and forward‑looking University in a vibrant city that’s constantly evolving. We’re also entering an exciting new phase with a refreshed vision and strategic ambitions shaped around the changing higher education landscape.
Sport and Support, within Student Journey, is at the heart of the University's activities to support our students. Our teams, provide a wide range of sport and support activity designed to ensure students are supported and encouraged to make the most of their time at University and succeed on their programmes.
As we move through 2026, we’re celebrating being recognised as:
* A top 30 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2026)
* 1st in the North‑East for student support services (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
* 1st in the North‑East for teaching quality (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
The Faculty of Business and Technology is the University’s largest and most complex faculty, a major financial contributor, a significant provider of transnational education, and home to programmes in business, engineering, and computing. As the Faculty enters a new phase of strategic development, we are looking for an exceptional Head of Faculty Operations to provide the operational leadership that will enable its continued growth and ambition.
In this role, you will take responsibility for the smooth running of day‑to‑day operations across both sites, overseeing timetabling, workload allocation, facilities, and resource planning. You will lead a small administrative team and work closely with HR and Finance on recruitment, workforce planning, FTE forecasting, and budget management. As part of the Faculty Senior Leadership team, you will establish and chair a Faculty Operations Committee ensuring strong governance and effective decision‑making.
As well as managing risk, compliance, and Health & Safety across general and specialist engineering facilities, you will ensure adherence to University policies, legislative requirements, and quality standards. You will analyse key performance data and support submissions to external bodies such as Ofsted, Skills England, and professional and regulatory partners, producing reports that inform planning and respond to sector developments. The role also involves coordinating transnational education activity, supporting satellite campus compliance, and fostering effective relationships with industry, employer, and professional body partners. Working closely with the Faculty Pro‑Vice Chancellor, you will contribute to the development and delivery of the Faculty Strategic Plan, support business case preparation, and help advance recruitment and enterprise initiatives.
This is a rare opportunity to make a genuine mark and shape how a large, diverse, and internationally facing Faculty operates at the height of its ambition.
Is this you?
You will bring strong operational management experience from within Higher Education or another large, complex organisation, along with a solid grounding in resource planning, budgeting, staffing, and the development of effective administrative and management information systems. You are confident supporting continuous improvement and organisational change, and you work effectively with a wide range of internal and external partners, including those operating internationally or within transnational education contexts.
You will have a clear understanding of the issues shaping the business, engineering, computing, and wider HE sectors, and how these shape operational priorities on the ground. You are highly organised, an excellent communicator, and able to balance competing demands without losing sight of the bigger picture. As an experienced line manager, you build and support strong teams, engage credibly with senior stakeholders, and provide the kind of calm, professional leadership that keeps a complex Faculty running well.
At Sunderland University, we’re more than a place of learning, we’re a welcoming community that values inclusivity, collaboration, and well‑being. We don’t just offer jobs, we offer careers that come with support, flexibility, and plenty of perks:
* Up to 49 days’ holiday - that’s 36 days’ annual leave, 5 festive closure days and 8 Bank Holidays!
* Award-winning staff networks that celebrate who you are.
* Lifestyle benefits, with savings on shopping, tech, bikes, and even cars.
* Health and well‑being support, from private medical cover to gym discounts.
* Learning and development that helps you achieve your goals.
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