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Job Title: Head of Operations - Composite Centre

Posting Start Date: 18/07/2025

Job Id: 1175

School/Department: Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary per annum (£): 60,907.00

Closing Date: 22/07/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The University of Sheffield's AMRC Composite Centre, a leader in composites manufacturing research and innovation, seeks an enthusiastic Head of Operations (HoO) to join our team.

Reporting to the Head of Group (HoG), the HoO will ensure the Centre's efficient operation by collaborating with the technology leadership team, including the Technical Manager, on strategy, delivery, resourcing, and finance.

This includes proactive resource planning to ensure successful project delivery. The HoO will also champion Health, Safety, and Environmental policies, manage HR matters, and oversee a £53m composite centre shop floor operation .

Main duties and responsibilities

• Assist and deputise for the HOG in managing the group including staff resource allocations and financial performance management, reporting into the AMRC SLT and Composite Centre SLT.
• Work with the HOG to ensure all aspects of Health and Safety and Environmental management within the group.
• Provide stakeholder and senior management communication of project status.
• Direct line management of the Factory Management, Maintenance Engineers and Project Management personnel. This includes completing annual SRDS reviews and setting targets.
• Responsible for being the primary contact for staff about Human Resource issues, supporting line managers where necessary.
• Regular communication with staff, stakeholders, and customers.
• Maintain a high reputation through project delivery and customer engagement.
• Responsibility for timesheet preparation and checks for the project team to ensure they are completed correctly and on time.
• Support the project teams in risk management and mitigation and escalate issues promptly.
• Work with the team to ensure the group objectives are achieved to:
  • Secure the long-term sustainability and growth of the Composite group while maintaining our ability to react to changing customer requirements.
  • Create an outstanding environment and culture in which staff can develop and grow.
  • Secure the Composite centre’s reputation at the pinnacle of composites research in the UK.
  • Continue to deliver an excellent customer project experience.
• Proven experience of technical leadership in large-scale research projects being able to support the Projects Lead on more complex projects.
• Work with the senior team in the continual development of the research strategy and associated technology road maps to provide a clear direction for the group’s growth.
• Monthly review of financial forecasts for the centre, conducting detailed financial reviews of projects and cost centre spending, and working directly with AMRC Finance representatives.
• Liaise across the AMRC groups to ensure alignment and better working cross-AMRC.
• Working with the maintenance manager ensuring longer-term view is being considered whilst shorter-term priorities are being addressed and correctly prioritised.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience does not match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Stage(s) assessed at

Extensive industrial knowledge of Composite Centre processes, including critical manufacturing techniques and relevant quality standards across various industries (e.g., aerospace, defence, nuclear, oil & gas).

Application form and Interview

Proven leadership in research projects, demonstrated through an extensive portfolio and experience managing funding from diverse sources (e.g., Catapult, IUK, ATI)

Application form and Interview

Substantial project management experience in an engineering or research organization, including strategic decision-making and consideration of financial impact, resourcing, scope, and timeframes for large programs

Application form and Interview

Exceptional client-facing and customer service experience across all business levels

Application form and Interview

Strong track record in business development, with an ability to provide partners with confidence and demonstrable value from their engagements

Application form and Interview

Proven capabilities in stakeholder management practices

Interview

Proficient IT skills across the Microsoft Office suite, including Microsoft Project

Application form and Interview

Demonstrated ability to motivate, communicate with, and lead both individual teams and multiple teams within a responsible area

Application form and Interview

Highly effective written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, delivering presentations, and articulating strategic plans and individual contributions to staff at all levels

Application form and Interview

Advanced analytical and creative problem-solving skills, coupled with an appreciation for longer-term implications

Application form and Interview

Experience of adapting your own skills to new circumstances

Interview

Experience of delivering a range of projects in Research and Development (R&D) environments via different management approaches

Interview

Further Information

Grade

9

£60,907 - £68,528 per annum pro-rata. Potential to progress to £79,419 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution.

Work arrangement

Full-time

Line manager

Head of Group

Direct reports

Factory Management, Senior Project Manager and Maintenance Engineer

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place two weeks following the closing date. This will consist of an interview . We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week following advertising . Contact Prof Clara Frias if you require any reasonable adjustments.

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date :22/07/2025

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

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The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
+44 114 222 2000