**Part-time Position (21 hours per week)**
**Location:** London WC1H (Hybrid and flexible working, with 40% of your monthly hours office-based)
**Join the ACU as Chief Operating Officer**
Leverage your expertise in operations management, team leadership, and transformational change to help build a better world through international collaboration in higher education. The ACU offers a remarkable opportunity to make a significant impact in the higher education sector. As one of the largest and most diverse international university networks, we unite approximately 400 universities across 40 countries. By championing the role of higher education in improving lives, we support both our members and our staff in promoting sustainable development across the Commonwealth and beyond.
**The Role**
As the Chief Operating Officer, you will be pivotal in assisting the Executive Team to implement our ambitious strategic and operational plans. You will oversee the operational management of the ACU, providing strategic and tactical advice to the CEO, and managing the People and Culture, Finance, IT, and Estates functions to ensure the smooth operation of all organizational activities.
An immediate challenge will be to oversee the review, development, and implementation of the new ACU strategy – work is already in progress – to be completed by year-end. You will focus on achieving financial sustainability and performance, and developing and implementing an IT strategy that consolidates all internal IT systems and includes up-to-date IT and Compliance policies and procedures. Additionally, you’ll oversee a successful office move from two floors to one redesigned floor, with a target to complete this by Christmas.
**Who Are We Looking For?**
We are seeking an inspirational, innovative professional with senior-level experience in a complex organization who can drive and deliver our vision, mission, and strategy. You should be capable of shaping the ACU’s infrastructure and leading the development of financial and operating plans aligned with strategic priorities.
**Essential Qualifications:**
– Proven experience in managing operations and leading, motivating, and managing teams, while promoting a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and innovation.
– Experience within a higher education institution, preferably in a not-for-profit or membership organization.
– Senior-level expertise in financial and operational planning, reporting, and budgeting, alongside project planning and management, with a thorough understanding of compliance and risk.
– Demonstrated success in leading transformational change, implementing process changes through people and capacity building, and influencing positive change in complex, fast-paced environments.
– A commitment to the ACU’s mission, ethos, and values, with a willingness to embrace and promote our policies, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
– Willingness and ability to travel within the UK and overseas as required by the role.
**What to Expect:**
At ACU, we value equity, diversity, and inclusion as core to our mission, appreciating the different perspectives that individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to our collective performance. We are committed to investing in our people and creating cultures where everyone thrives.
**Benefits:**
– 27 days of annual leave, 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees), and 4 Christmas closure days
– Generous pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 10% employer contribution
– Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
– Significant investment in personal and professional development
– Regular social activities
– Health and wellbeing programs
– Give as you earn charitable donations scheme
– Cycle to work scheme
– Interest-free travel season ticket loan
**How to Apply:**
For more information on how to apply, please click the apply button.
**Closing Date:** 17 September 2024
**Interviews:** Scheduled for Monday, 30 September 2024. Early applications are encouraged as interviews may be conducted before the closing date.
Interviews will be held in person