Operations Manager

Full time
Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 04 June
Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 14 June

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 2317.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Introduction

As Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and The Times Sports University of the Year 2020, sport is part of the DNA at the University of Stirling. The deliverables build on the philosophy of the first Chancellor, Lord Robbins, when he spoke of ‘education with a purpose’. Our impact, contribution and ambition is purposeful in everything we do, aligned to our status as one of the top sporting institutions in the UK.

The success, prowess, and reputation of sport at Stirling is setting standards across the sector and the inspirational performances of our elite athletes on the world’s biggest sporting stages, is complemented by the buzz of activity in the new sports facilities. Engagement levels are high, feedback is excellent, and sport is contributing significantly to the health, wellbeing and experience of students, staff and community.

We don’t want to rest on our laurels, and we will continue to set the standards for everyone else to follow. It is within this context that we will always challenge ourselves and seek to really make impact.

The Role

The Operations Manager is a member of the University of Stirling Sport Senior Management Team and contributes to the departments’ strategic planning and leadership.

The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all indoor and outdoor sports facilities, ensuring full compliance with health and safety, effective management of the operations team, creating and embedding a culture of service excellence across all areas of delivery and contribution to a high-quality sporting experience for students, staff and the wider community.

Additional Information/Special Conditions

This post will require flexibility in working hours to meet operational needs. Some evening and weekend work is required. However, the post-holder will generally be expected to work midweek from 9am to 5pm each day.

Strategic Leadership

• In conjunction with senior management team colleagues, support the creation and implementation of the department wide strategic vision, aligned to the University’s objectives
• Lead and shape the strategic direction of the operational division of the Sports Development Service, including health and safety; quality management systems; and, initiating and managing change in accordance with service priorities

Staffing

• Provide inspiring leadership and management to a large team of operations staff, creating a culture of teamwork and institutional pride and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to the diverse community of student, staff, and external customers
• Create, monitor, and manage annual work plans and targets, ensuring they meet the wider objectives of the service

Quality, Systems and Processes

• Supported by the Duty Officer team, manage, monitor, and update the suite of Normal Operating Procedures to underpin the safe and effective use of all indoor and outdoor sports facilities
• Continually audit systems and processes, introducing new working practices and equipment as appropriate, to ensure optimum efficiency and excellent quality of service
• Ensure that the health, safety and welfare of customers and staff are given the highest priority in line with relevant (Health and Safety and Welfare) legislation and identify contingency plans to deal with emergencies when they arise, in accordance with University procedures

Facilities Management

• Develop, co-ordinate and manage indoor/outdoor, wet/dry facilities and ensure they are maintained to the highest standards in relation to cleanliness and maintenance of equipment
• Draw up and monitor planned and preventative maintenance schedules for all sports facilities and produce a strategy for long term facility renewals/upgrades to inform future investment, project managing the delivery where appropriate
• Assist with the development, implementation and maintenance of agreed quality awards, e.g. QUEST, ensuring that best practice systems are in place and adopted

Finance & Budget

• Manage the Operations budget within agreed parameters and be accountable for all expenditure, setting up relevant systems and processes as appropriate
• Be proactive in delivering cost improvements and efficiencies to ensure best value, in line with wider university approaches
• Prepare and present monthly reports to the Executive Director of Sport, providing explanation, intervention, and reforecasting to achieve agreed budget results

Customer Service

• Balance the demands of the various customer groups (students, staff, community and partners) throughout the year to ensure a consistent high-level service
• Increase customer satisfaction in all areas and ensure action is taken to maintain it at a high level

General Support

• Embed the University’s core values of excellence, openness and ambition
• Support and promote the values and behaviours of the Sports Development Service and the University of Stirling, at all times
• Participate in continuing professional development, keep abreast of leisure industry changes and contribute to the development of a programme of services and facilities, ensuring that it is in line with current trends and meets the needs of the customer and external community
• Assist with the marketing and promotion of sport at the University and associated

Please see the Job Description attached for a full description of duties.

Qualifications/ Education

• Degree Level qualification in a related subject area
• Valid Pool Lifeguard qualification
• Valid Pool Plant qualification

Experience

• 3 years’ experience at a senior strategic level, within a dynamic and multi-faceted facility
• Significant supervisory and staff management experience
• Experience of managing large-scale capital and infrastructure projects
• Demonstrable experience of delivering excellent standards of customer care

Knowledge

• Ability to motivate and effectively lead others in the provision of a high-quality service
• Robust understanding of relevant regulations and procedures including Health and Safety requirements
• Proven ability of budget management and application of business planning methods
• Knowledge of issues, trends and initiatives in fitness and sports development

Skills

• Highly skilled in forward planning, analysis and interpretation of data; able to prioritise numerous and wide-ranging tasks and work within agreed deadlines
• Demonstrable ability to resolve challenges and problems arising from a large multi-faceted sports facility and inherent differences, utilising high quality, common and robust infrastructure solutions (for example IT systems; customer complaints protocols; HR procedures)
• Excellent IT Literacy and the ability to use computer packages relevant to the area of work
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisation and planning skills
• Excellent networking and influencing skills

Other

• Willingness to support the wider Sports Development Service team
• Display a positive can do approach
• Ability to act corporately
• Required to work flexibly to carry out the duties of the post and to cover absence of the Duty Officers
• Must be available to work evenings, weekends and public holidays as determined by business needs

Qualifications/ Education

• Masters in Sport/Recreation Management
• Valid Pool Lifeguard Teacher/Examiner Award

Experience

• Experience of working in the HE Sector

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Leisure Management Systems
• Knowledge of HE Sport
• Experience of Procurement processes and the formulation of tendering bids and documentation

Other

• Broad network of contacts within relevant fields

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

As Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and The Times Sports University of the Year 2020, sport is part of the DNA at the University of Stirling. The deliverables build on the philosophy of the first Chancellor, Lord Robbins, when he spoke of ‘education with a purpose’. Our impact, contribution and ambition is purposeful in everything we do, aligned to our status as one of the top sporting institutions in the UK.

As part of the strong response and performance reported by the wider University during academic year 2021/22, Sport continues to recover robustly from the impact of the pandemic over the last two years. The outlook is both exciting and extremely positive. The success, prowess and reputation of sport at Stirling is setting standards across the sector and the inspirational performances of our elite athletes on the world’s biggest sporting stages, is complemented by the buzz of activity in the new sports facilities. Engagement levels are high, feedback is excellent and sport is contributing significantly to the health, wellbeing and experience of students, staff and community.

We don’t want to rest on our laurels, and we will continue to set the standards for everyone else to follow. It is within this context that we will always challenge ourselves and seek to really make impact.

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk@stiruni