Financial response: Professional Services update

The recruitment process is underway for the new Heads of Directorate roles being created as part of work to consider the structure of Professional Services across the University.

The realignment of Professional Services to create Directorates is one of five integrated Professional Services workstreams within our approach to addressing financial pressures.

This work to consider the best operation of our Professional Services began under the Strategic Foundations Programme, and has been accelerated in the face of the current financial challenges.

The five workstreams were informed by feedback from Heads of Functions and other colleagues about how we can reduce complexity, review processes and deliver critical services more collaboratively and efficiently.

Other workstreams are also progressing, with one focused on process review and another considering professional services within Henley Business School, working closely with colleagues in Henley. The Process Review workstream will develop a robust mechanism for conducting a programme of reviews, to ensure consistency and maximise input and engagement.

How will the Directorates work?

UEB has approved a change to the current structure of 18 professional services Functions reporting directly to UEB to create 8 Directorates.

The working titles for these Directorates are: HR; Digital; Finance; Estates; Student Experience and Education; External Relations; Planning, Governance and Legal; and Research and Innovation.

The introduction of the new Directorates is the start of wider work to reduce the cost and complexity of the current structure and enable collaborative, strategic planning by Heads of Directorates.

The 2023/2024 academic year will be a transition period, with the new Directorate structure being fully implemented from 1 August 2024.

During this time, the new Heads of Directorates will work collectively with UEB and colleagues across the University to develop new ways of working, maximise use of resources to best deliver to the Universities strategic goals as well as a plan to achieve a joint savings target.

Recruitment process

Four Director roles – for Student Experience and Education; External Relations; Planning, Governance and Legal; and Research and Innovation – are now being advertised on our website.

Applications will be open to internal candidates in the first instance.

Appointments to the other four Directorates will be managed differently due to either the new Directorate being identical to the existing Function or there being different impacts on existing posts and colleagues.

It is not intended that this change of structure will add additional costs. Backfilling roles may be considered after appointments are made but would have to be achieved within assigned budgets.