Head of GW4 (secondment opportunity) - #1721380

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

The GW4 is an alliance that brings together the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter – four of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities. Through collaboration, we drive research, innovation, and partnerships that tackle global challenges and deliver impact none of us could achieve alone.

We are looking for an experienced professional to join us as the Head of GW4 on a 4-month fixed-term contract at 0.5 FTE, providing interim leadership during a key period of transition as we prepare to appoint a new Director. Reporting to the Executive Director of Research, Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Bristol (GW4’s administrative hub), you’ll work closely with senior leaders across all four universities, playing a central role in sustaining strong partnerships, supporting effective governance, and enabling our collaborative projects to continue thriving. This is offered as a secondment opportunity internal to the GW4 Alliance universities.

• Provide leadership and line management to 6 direct reports, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture


• Oversee the GW4 work programme and work closely with project leads across the alliance to ensure the smooth running of the ongoing projects


• Build and maintain excellent relationships with senior management teams across the four universities and key external stakeholders


• Manage GW4 governance, including preparing for the July Board and August Council meetings. Ensure we meet service agreements, rules, and best practices while maintaining good operational standards, quality, and consistent performance


• Represent GW4 externally, attending relevant sector events and meetings across the partner universities and beyond


• Manage resources and budget planning for the GW4 team, ensuring operational efficiency and supporting the future strategic development of the Alliance

• You are an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in managing people, operations, and strategic projects


• You enjoy working collaboratively and navigating complex partnerships across multiple organisations


• You have excellent communication and relationship management skills, with experience working with senior stakeholders


• You are comfortable overseeing governance processes and supporting evidence-based decision-making


• You have a good understanding of and commitment to the priorities of a leading, research-led university

For any informal enquiries, get in touch with Conny Lippert, *************@bristol.ac.uk

• Director

• Full-time

• Other

• Higher Education