Chief Operating Officer, University of Reading

United Kingdom

The University of Reading has been at the forefront of UK higher education for nearly a century. Home to innovation, the University pushes academic boundaries and leads social change, both locally and internationally.

Granted our Royal Charter in 1926, over the decades the University of Reading has been led by innovators and pioneers, pushing academic boundaries and leading social change.
Today, the University is ranked in the top 200 universities worldwide by QS and Times Higher Education, and the top 50 within the UK. Home to over 23,000 students, the University of Reading is proud to welcome staff and students from all over the world. We strive to create a stronger, better University, building on our past to create an exceptional future. The University Strategy is focused around the principles of – Community, Excellence, Sustainability and Engagement. These principles support us to act as a community engaged with the world around us and to deliver our shared purpose of sustainable excellence in all of our activities.
With an outstanding reputation for high-quality education and research, we have campuses in the UK, Malaysia and South Africa (Henley Business School). The University of Reading is truly international and holds a global reputation for providing a diverse and stimulating academic environment.
Please click below to read the Candidate Pack:
Chief Operating Officer
All applications must include:
• A full curriculum vitae/resume
• Quoting the relevant role reference number: A040884
• A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and the University of Reading that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
• Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)
• A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application) *
Right to work checks
If you are successfully shortlisted, our partner, Yoti, will contact you to complete an online right to work check. This is a quick and secure process, ensuring that all necessary legal requirements are met before proceeding further in the recruitment process.
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and The University of Reading’s objectives are to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact:
Owen Francis, Director: +44 7387 022 263
Beth Stickney, Principal Researcher: +44 7703 821 996
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Teams Live event: 1.00pm Thursday 3rd July 2025
Please contact recruitment@reading.ac.uk for a link to this event.
Closing date: 5:00pm 25th July 2025
Final Interviews: 6th August 2025
Please ensure you have made a note of the final interview date(s). We recommend that you bookmark this microsite, as any potential updates regarding the role will be posted online.