Ref Number
B02-11104
Professional Expertise
Professional Services Leadership
Department
School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£68,284-£78,386
Contract Type
Permanent
Working Type
Hybrid
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
20-Oct-2026
The UCL Ear Institute is part of the Faculty of Brain Sciences and is internationally recognised as the UK’s premier multidisciplinary centre for research into hearing and deafness. It brings together some of the world's leading academics, clinicians and healthcare scientists working in fields related to hearing, balance and ENT care. In partnership with the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, the Ear Institute forms Europe's largest single grouping of audio-vestibular researchers and clinical scientists, positioning it at the forefront of innovation and discovery in hearing health.
The Ear Institute offers a genuinely collaborative research environment spanning fields as diverse as genetics, biophysics, cell biology, systems and computational neuroscience, human cognition and clinical neuroscience. Alongside its research activities, the Ear Institute delivers specialist undergraduate and postgraduate courses in audiology and hearing sciences; postgraduate research degrees; and a substantial portfolio of continuing professional development and short courses for healthcare professionals. Its thriving, vibrant community includes approximately 75 academic, research, technical and professional services staff, 25 PhD students and over 100 MSc and BSc students.
UCL is seeking an exceptional operational leader to join the Ear Institute as its next Head of Operations.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Institute's Strategic Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping its future. Working in close partnership with the Ear Institute Director, Professor Jennifer Linden, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of the Institute's activities, supporting a community delivering research, education and clinical engagement.
As Head of Operations, you will be responsible for the effective leadership of the Institute's professional services and operational functions.
You will lead a professional services team of 11 staff, with direct line management responsibility for four team members, second-line management oversight of a further four staff through those managers, and matrix management responsibility for the remaining three team members. Working closely with academic, technical and clinical colleagues, you will help ensure the Institute continues to thrive in a complex and highly regulated environment.
The role offers a diverse portfolio of responsibilities, spanning strategic planning, financial management, education and student support, human resources and people management, and the oversight of specialist facilities and infrastructure. It includes supporting major research initiatives, driving service improvement, and contributing to Faculty and UCL-wide priorities. As a key member of the Ear Institute's Strategic Leadership Team, you will work in partnership with colleagues to translate academic ambition into operational delivery, foster a positive and inclusive culture, support staff and student success, and ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the Institute
The Ear Institute combines the reputation and ambition of a world-leading research institute with the culture of a collegiate and community-focused department. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across the Institute, play a visible role in shaping its future direction and ways of working, and make a meaningful contribution to its research, education and operational success.
The Ear Institute is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and equitable environment in which staff and students can thrive. It holds an Athena Swan Silver Award in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality and creating an inclusive culture for all members of its community.
Environmental sustainability is also a core priority. The Ear Institute has achieved Gold accreditation through both Green Impact and the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), and is one of a small number of UCL departments participating in the pilot of Green DiSC (Digital Sustainability Certification). These initiatives reflect the Institute's commitment to ensuring its activities remain environmentally, financially and operationally sustainable.
Interviews will be held on 24 November 2026.
If you have any questions about the role or would like to have an informal discussion, please contact the Director, Professor Jennifer Linden ([email protected])
We are seeking an experienced and collaborative leader who can operate confidently within a complex academic environment.
You will have a strong track record of strategic planning, operational leadership, financial management and delivering organisational change. You will be able to build trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, influence effectively at senior levels and provide clear, evidence-based advice to support decision-making.
You will also bring excellent communication skills, strong analytical capability and the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery. Experience of working within higher education, research, healthcare or another complex knowledge-intensive environment would be advantageous.
Most importantly, you will be committed to supporting an inclusive and collaborative culture that enables world-leading research and education to flourish.
The role is based at the Ear Institute, Gray's Inn Road, London, with hybrid working arrangements in line with UCL's Ways of Working framework. Given the operational complexity of the Institute and its specialist facilities, the postholder is expected to maintain a significant on-site presence.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Find out more
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.
