Interim Chief People & Operating Officer, UK University

Join us in partnering with a fantastic university as we lead the search for an accomplished Interim Chief People & Operating Officer. This is a pivotal appointment at a time of significant organisational change, offering the opportunity to shape both immediate priorities and longer-term direction.

Reporting to the executive team, the successful candidate will take on a broad and influential remit, leading the organisation through a critical period of transformation. This will include responsibility for strategic workforce planning, the delivery of a voluntary severance programme, and embedding sustainable organisational change.

In addition to core people leadership, the role carries oversight of a wider professional services portfolio, including IT, Estates and Student Life – requiring a leader who can connect strategy, operations and user experience across the organisation.

Your focus will be to bring clarity and direction during a period of complexity, ensuring that change is delivered with pace, care and credibility. You will play a central role in supporting senior stakeholders, aligning priorities, and enabling confident decision-making across the organisation.

We are seeking an experienced and highly credible leader who has operated at CPO / People Director level within complex environments. You will bring a track record of delivering change in sensitive contexts, alongside the ability to build trust quickly and operate with influence at executive level. Experience of trade unions is essential.

While this opportunity sits within Higher Education, we are particularly interested in individuals bringing relevant experience from other sectors, especially those who have navigated similarly complex, multi-stakeholder settings and delivered impactful transformation. This is an opportunity to step into a visible and meaningful leadership role, where your contribution will have an immediate and lasting impact.

If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please get in touch for a confidential discussion. Please contact claire.lauder@andersonquigley.com