Associate Director of Operations

Responsibilities

As the Associate director of Operations, I ensure the support my team provides across the higher hazard schools is safe, compliant and professional. Such support may encompass a range of disciplines in a range of areas, including teaching spaces, research facilities and operational activities including hazardous waste stores, workshops and laboratory supplies.

I manage three workshops incorporating a wide range of skills, a Mechanical Workshop, an Electrical/Electronic Workshop, and a Glassblowing Workshop. I also manage the Laboratory stores, and all the Chemical Waste stores associated with the various schools.

Part of my role includes being a Health and Safety Co-ordinator, making sure all activities undertaken in Operations are done so in a safe manner, this will often involve working closely with the other Technical Services HSC’s to ensure our entire Function is committed to a safe working environment.

I support the Director of Technical Services to ensure that Technical Services meet legislative compliance requirements associated with teaching and research support. This requires initiative-taking and committed management to ensure that where appropriate, technical support remains flexible across the Schools we support.

I am responsible for leading and managing technical staff within the Operations Team. This involves induction, the Performance Development Review (PDRs), career development, and change management, the promotion of professional behaviours, performance management including capability and disciplinary procedures, absence management and succession planning. This Ensures delivery of services across a number of areas, collaborating closely with the other Associate Directors, Heads of Schools and Academic staff to ensure that technical staff are efficiently, effectively and equitably deployed so that appropriate operational support is provided.

Career history

Alongside my current role at the University, I also conduct voluntary work as a Foundation School Governor at a local Catholic Secondary School.

Prior to working at the University of Reading I worked for British Airways Engineering for 25 years, starting as an Apprentice, where I worked my way up to Duty Manager of Terminal 3 Engineering.

I worked on many different types of aircraft and conducted a wide variety of specialist jobs such as fuel tank entry, structural repairs and winglet modification and installation to name but a few. I spent several years specialising in In-Flight Entertainment systems, seating products, and anything a passenger would see and touch when they board the Aircraft.

MIoL

Member of the Institute of Leadership.