Support Services Manager

Location: Office-based in Edinburgh

Closing Date: 5pm, 16 February 2024

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible distance learning combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.  The Open University in Scotland is the largest provider of part-time undergraduate higher education in Scotland.

The role

The Support Services Manager is a key member of The Open University in Scotland’s senior team, ensuring the smooth functioning of the organisation in support of our strategic objectives.

You will work closely with colleagues in Scotland and across the wider University to deliver operational efficiency and support our staff in making the best use of systems, space and information. You will ensure we are compliant with all relevant statutory requirements and University policies, and proactively support the development of good practice. 

You will be responsible for managing a small team of staff and the facilities budget. 

Skills and experience

This role will suit you if you:

• Possess successful business management experience, exercised across HR, estate management, IT, finance, and other operations
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including influencing and relationship building
• Have a proven ability to build a positive and inclusive working environment

More information on the duties and skills required for the role can be found here .

How to apply 

All applications are completed online via the OU Job’s page and following the instructions below and clicking the “APPLY” button above.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from Scotland People Services, e-mail [email protected]  or phone 0131 226 3851 quoting the vacancy reference above. 

To apply for this role please submit the following:

• Personal statement, up to 1,000 words, on why you’re interested in this role, providing examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role.
• CV  

The above documents will need to be submitted as one attachment during the application process, please include the personal statement followed by the CV in this document.  

To ensure your file is uploaded to our system correctly, please make sure your document is saved with the following file name as appropriate to the vacancy you are applying for: ’Support Services Manager, surname, first initial’. 

You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting the electronic application.  

You will receive updates regarding your application from [email protected] . Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders. 

You can view your application communications on the Candidate portal . 

Closing date: 16 February 2024

Interview date: Week commencing 4 March 2024

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all our staff can reach their potential and attract diverse candidates. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.