Our people
Through all our work, we aim to make the world a better place.
About King’s
King’s College London is ranked 6th the UK in the QS World University Rankings, and 37th in the world, with a turnover exceeding £1.4 Bn. It is the fourth oldest university in England and is based in the heart of London. Kings has over 40,000 students from over 150 countries studying in person and online and over 12,000 employees. King’s academics are members of 9 Faculties, based on 5 campuses in central and SE London. Together the King’s community delivers a comprehensive portfolio of outstanding and impactful research and education in close partnership with the vibrant ecosystem across London along with other universities and partners across the globe. King's College London offers an intellectually stimulating environment in which to work, where staff are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and learning in the service of society. We are a multi-Faculty institution, providing high-quality education, research and innovation across the humanities, sciences, medicine, law, dentistry, and social sciences. King’s Strategy 2030 sets out how we take our purpose to make the world a better place forward, with four key priorities including student success in and beyond university, investment in research and education excellence that responds to the changing world, to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and sustainable finances for a secure future. King’s provides world-class education which enables students to become rounded critical thinkers, set up for success and with the character and wisdom to strive for social change. Through enquiry-driven research, King's delivers transformative insights and solutions that have the power to advance and accelerate global progress. Our comprehensive range of disciplines are organised into nine Faculties: • Faculty of Arts & Humanities • Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences • The Dickson Poon School of Law • Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine • Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences • Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy • Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care • Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience • King’s Business School
Appointment details
Reports to: Mr Jeremy Cook OBE
Salary
A competitive salary commensurate with the profile and experience of the successful applicant will be offered.
Terms
This is a full time, permanent appointment. The position will be offered on a permanent Professional Services contract.
Closing date for applications:
24 July 2026 10:00
Vacancy ID
149505
The Deputy Chief Operating Officer is a key member of the SVP(Ops)/COO’s senior management team and head office. They are responsible for day-to-day operational management, operational and continuous improvement planning, and the performance and management of finances of professional services on the COO’s behalf. They will oversee the PS budgeting and financial controls, performance management, risk management and business continuity across professional services, whether delivered by central Directorates or Faculty-embedded teams. They will directly line manage Faculty Directors of Operations, the Director of Planning and Performance, the Head of Risk and Resilience, and the Director of Health and Safety Services. They will provide oversight of the operational performance of central Directorates through an Operations Board and through ownership of the quarterly review process. The role-holder will work closely with the Executive Director for Transformation to ensure the transformation agenda has access to subject matter experts, and so that implementation planning is informed by a detailed understanding of operational constraints and risk. They will ensure that new target operating models are transitioned into BAU without disruption to operations. They will support the ED Transformation in stakeholder engagement within the Faculties where this is required. The DCOO will also develop a programme and culture of continuous improvement across PS operations, ensuring that this complements the major transformation agenda of the University. The post holder will demonstrate King’s values including a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. This role will report into the Senior Vice President (Operations)/Chief Operating Officer.
Key responsibilities
The Deputy Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for: • PS business and finance planning – work with PS Directors and the finance team to manage the PS integrated planning process, ensuring that PS plans are aligned to Faculty plans and University strategy, and meet the budgeting targets defined by Strategy 2030. • PS performance management – develop a KPI hierarchy, reporting regime and service management capability to improve the quality and consistency of service provision to students, educators and researchers. • Business resilience, risk management and incident response. Ensure the University’s risk management process is robust, frequently reviewed, and aligned from strategic risk to operational risk. Work with risk owners to ensure risks are clearly articulated and with effective mitigations in place. Ensure risk appetite is defined and agreed with the University Executive. Assure that business resilience plans are fit for purpose and well practised, and that incident response capability is strengthened with a clear escalation path and incident management arrangements defined. • Through the above – provide first line oversight and assurance of PS operations in the round, for the SVP. Act as the first line escalation for operational issues arising. • Lead the health & safety function, ensuring governance and assurance processes and capability are robust, that statutory obligations and reporting are met. • Act as the University accountable officer for Martyn’s Law. • Lead ‘continuous improvements’ across operations (ensuring these complement and do not conflict with the strategic transformation agenda). As part of this, chair the Campus Enhancements Committee for Campus Futures. • Chair the Operations Board and DOPs meeting. Attend University Executive. This role will deputise for the SVP Operations where required. The post-holder will have budget responsibility and administration support through the SVP Office. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Essential
• Extensive operational, financial and governance management experience gained at a senior level in a large and complex setting such as higher education, public or private sector. • Experience of operating in a senior operations management role. Irrespective of background, candidates should have some understanding of the ethos, drivers, finance and culture of UK higher education. • Strong strategic mindset with evidence of leading, managing, and embedding significant organisational change. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships, inspire confidence, and work effectively across diverse stakeholders. • Experience of leading a complex and multi-faceted budgetary planning process for areas of management control, with a keen awareness and experience of cost reduction, high quality service delivery and value for money. • High levels of integrity, critical thinking, and problem-solving ability, with excellent communication skills and commitment to organisational values and governance standards. • Ability to work easily and flexibly in a collegiate and team-based context with the requisite social, interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate seamless working between academic and professional services colleagues in pursuit of common goals. • Ability to provide commercial leadership to the university’s revenue-generating areas and hold strategic oversight for maximising return on the estate and other assets.
Desirable
• Ability to balance entrepreneurialism and innovation with value for money and delivery. • Ability to translate a vision into operational plans to achieve positive outcomes in a complex environment, taking into account the complex requirements of the institution. • Clear ability to represent King’s externally and act as a senior ambassador for the university beyond the managerial remit.
Campuses
King’s College London is the most central university in London, including four Thames-side campuses in a single square mile. • Denmark Hill - Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and also provides facilities to the Dental Institute. • Guy's - The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard. • Strand - Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's five arts and sciences faculties. • St Thomas' - The Florence Nightingale Museum is based at St Thomas', along with medical and dental teaching. • Waterloo - The Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care and most professional services.
Structure & Organisation
The University Executive sets the strategic direction and objectives to achieve the overall mission governed by the Council, oversees resource allocation and management of corporate risk and sets the tone for the culture and values of the King’s community.
This role will form part of the SVP (Operations) Senior Management Team.
Strategy 2030
For almost 200 years, King’s has been a place where ideas turn into action. From revealing the structure of DNA to reimagining nursing, from advances in medicine, law and the study of war and peace to shaping culture and public debate, our work has always been guided by a belief that knowledge should serve society. Over our history, King’s has been home to 14 Nobel Prize winners, and to scholars whose ideas and leadership have shaped thinking, policy and practice around the world. King’s has always been a place where knowledge is put to work for the benefit of others. King’s Strategy 2030 sets out how we take that purpose forward. The environment in which universities operate is shifting: the way higher education is funded is under strain, expectations of students and communities continue to evolve, and universities must increasingly show – through our actions and impact – the value we bring to society. Technology is changing how we teach, learn and research, and public scrutiny has never been stronger. In this context, standing still is not an option but King’s must be both fixed in our purpose and adaptable in our choices.
About King's
King's College London provides a dynamic habitat for individuals looking to expand their career prospects
Professional Services
Our Professional & Support services
King’s Strategy 2030
In service of society through academic excellence.
Please quote the vacancy id: 149505 in all correspondence.
Closing date for applications: 24 July 2026 10:00
Interview date: 18 August 2026
Second interview date: 09 September 2026
Application process
To apply for this post you will need to register on the King’s College London Job application portal and submit the application form, along with the following: • a statement setting out your reasons for applying for the post and highlighting the particular skill and experience which demonstrates your fit to the role (2 pages max) • a curriculum vitae We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement (circa 2 pages), detailing how they meet the essential requirements in the person specification. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible. We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.
Contact us
For more information regarding the vacancy please contact us using the details below
Selection process
Applications will be shortlisted by the selection committee which includes representation from across the University. The final interview panel will be chaired by the Senior Vice President (Operations) and will include the Senior Vice President (Academic) and representatives from across the University. Longlisted candidates will be invited to a first round online interview, followed by a final in-person interview.
Jobs at King's
Current vacancies and career opportunities
The Deputy Chief Operating Officer is a key member of the SVP(Ops)/COO’s senior management team and head office. They are responsible for day-to-day operational management, operational and continuous improvement planning, and the performance and management of finances of professional services on the COO’s behalf. They will oversee the PS budgeting and financial controls, performance management, risk management and business continuity across professional services, whether delivered by central Directorates or Faculty-embedded teams. They will directly line manage Faculty Directors of Operations, the Director of Planning and Performance, the Head of Risk and Resilience, and the Director of Health and Safety Services. They will provide oversight of the operational performance of central Directorates through an Operations Board and through ownership of the quarterly review process. The role-holder will work closely with the Executive Director for Transformation to ensure the transformation agenda has access to subject matter experts, and so that implementation planning is informed by a detailed understanding of operational constraints and risk. They will ensure that new target operating models are transitioned into BAU without disruption to operations. They will support the ED Transformation in stakeholder engagement within the Faculties where this is required. The DCOO will also develop a programme and culture of continuous improvement across PS operations, ensuring that this complements the major transformation agenda of the University. The post holder will demonstrate King’s values including a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. This role will report into the Senior Vice President (Operations)/Chief Operating Officer.
Key responsibilities
The Deputy Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for: • PS business and finance planning – work with PS Directors and the finance team to manage the PS integrated planning process, ensuring that PS plans are aligned to Faculty plans and University strategy, and meet the budgeting targets defined by Strategy 2030. • PS performance management – develop a KPI hierarchy, reporting regime and service management capability to improve the quality and consistency of service provision to students, educators and researchers. • Business resilience, risk management and incident response. Ensure the University’s risk management process is robust, frequently reviewed, and aligned from strategic risk to operational risk. Work with risk owners to ensure risks are clearly articulated and with effective mitigations in place. Ensure risk appetite is defined and agreed with the University Executive. Assure that business resilience plans are fit for purpose and well practised, and that incident response capability is strengthened with a clear escalation path and incident management arrangements defined. • Through the above – provide first line oversight and assurance of PS operations in the round, for the SVP. Act as the first line escalation for operational issues arising. • Lead the health & safety function, ensuring governance and assurance processes and capability are robust, that statutory obligations and reporting are met. • Act as the University accountable officer for Martyn’s Law. • Lead ‘continuous improvements’ across operations (ensuring these complement and do not conflict with the strategic transformation agenda). As part of this, chair the Campus Enhancements Committee for Campus Futures. • Chair the Operations Board and DOPs meeting. Attend University Executive. This role will deputise for the SVP Operations where required. The post-holder will have budget responsibility and administration support through the SVP Office. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Our people
Through all our work, we aim to make the world a better place.
Faculties & Departments
Our 9 academic faculties
Essential
• Extensive operational, financial and governance management experience gained at a senior level in a large and complex setting such as higher education, public or private sector. • Experience of operating in a senior operations management role. Irrespective of background, candidates should have some understanding of the ethos, drivers, finance and culture of UK higher education. • Strong strategic mindset with evidence of leading, managing, and embedding significant organisational change. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships, inspire confidence, and work effectively across diverse stakeholders. • Experience of leading a complex and multi-faceted budgetary planning process for areas of management control, with a keen awareness and experience of cost reduction, high quality service delivery and value for money. • High levels of integrity, critical thinking, and problem-solving ability, with excellent communication skills and commitment to organisational values and governance standards. • Ability to work easily and flexibly in a collegiate and team-based context with the requisite social, interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate seamless working between academic and professional services colleagues in pursuit of common goals. • Ability to provide commercial leadership to the university’s revenue-generating areas and hold strategic oversight for maximising return on the estate and other assets.
Desirable
• Ability to balance entrepreneurialism and innovation with value for money and delivery. • Ability to translate a vision into operational plans to achieve positive outcomes in a complex environment, taking into account the complex requirements of the institution. • Clear ability to represent King’s externally and act as a senior ambassador for the university beyond the managerial remit.
Campuses
King’s College London is the most central university in London, including four Thames-side campuses in a single square mile. • Denmark Hill - Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and also provides facilities to the Dental Institute. • Guy's - The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard. • Strand - Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's five arts and sciences faculties. • St Thomas' - The Florence Nightingale Museum is based at St Thomas', along with medical and dental teaching. • Waterloo - The Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care and most professional services.
Structure & Organisation
The University Executive sets the strategic direction and objectives to achieve the overall mission governed by the Council, oversees resource allocation and management of corporate risk and sets the tone for the culture and values of the King’s community.
This role will form part of the SVP (Operations) Senior Management Team.
Strategy 2030
For almost 200 years, King’s has been a place where ideas turn into action. From revealing the structure of DNA to reimagining nursing, from advances in medicine, law and the study of war and peace to shaping culture and public debate, our work has always been guided by a belief that knowledge should serve society. Over our history, King’s has been home to 14 Nobel Prize winners, and to scholars whose ideas and leadership have shaped thinking, policy and practice around the world. King’s has always been a place where knowledge is put to work for the benefit of others. King’s Strategy 2030 sets out how we take that purpose forward. The environment in which universities operate is shifting: the way higher education is funded is under strain, expectations of students and communities continue to evolve, and universities must increasingly show – through our actions and impact – the value we bring to society. Technology is changing how we teach, learn and research, and public scrutiny has never been stronger. In this context, standing still is not an option but King’s must be both fixed in our purpose and adaptable in our choices.
About King's
King's College London provides a dynamic habitat for individuals looking to expand their career prospects
Professional Services
Our Professional & Support services
King’s Strategy 2030
In service of society through academic excellence.
Please quote the vacancy id: 149505 in all correspondence.
Closing date for applications: 24 July 2026 10:00
Interview date: 18 August 2026
Second interview date: 09 September 2026
Application process
To apply for this post you will need to register on the King’s College London Job application portal and submit the application form, along with the following: • a statement setting out your reasons for applying for the post and highlighting the particular skill and experience which demonstrates your fit to the role (2 pages max) • a curriculum vitae We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement (circa 2 pages), detailing how they meet the essential requirements in the person specification. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible. We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.
Contact us
For more information regarding the vacancy please contact us using the details below
Selection process
Applications will be shortlisted by the selection committee which includes representation from across the University. The final interview panel will be chaired by the Senior Vice President (Operations) and will include the Senior Vice President (Academic) and representatives from across the University. Longlisted candidates will be invited to a first round online interview, followed by a final in-person interview.
Jobs at King's
Current vacancies and career opportunities