Chief Operating Officer


Company:	University of South Wales
Salary:	from £155,397 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Pontypridd, CF37 1DL
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	16 Oct 2026
Closing date:	1 Nov 2026

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Summary

The University of South Wales is a major, modern civic university rooted in South Wales, with a proud commitment to student success, applied research, innovation, partnership working, regional impact and widening access. As the University responds to a challenging and changing higher education environment, we are seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to help translate strategic ambition into effective delivery.

Based across the University of South Wales campuses, with travel across the University and externally as required, this role offers the opportunity to utilise your strategic leadership, organisational development, digital, estates and student services expertise at Executive level.

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, the Chief Operating Officer is a key member of the University Executive, providing strategic leadership across people and organisational development, estates infrastructure, digital capability and student-facing services. The postholder will work collegiately with academic and professional services leaders to ensure that USW has an agile, efficient and sustainable operating model that enables delivery of the University strategy.

This is a full-time, permanent post.

To arrange an informal conversation about this post please contact emma.stone@southwales.ac.uk.

If you are a successful candidate and this position will be your first professional services role at the University / RWCMD (or you are currently employed by PSS Ltd), you will be employed by Professional and Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of South Wales, which provides services to the University and Colleges.

Discover the advantages of working with us at USW: https://tinyurl.com/PSSatUSW

USW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All those working at the University are expected to share this commitment.

We are committed to employing a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment. Where colleagues can be themselves and every person is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and communities, especially with regards to age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and religion and/or belief. We benchmark our success through equality accreditations with Athena Swan,Race Equality Charter, Stonewall and Disability Confident.

If you’re a Welsh learner or a Welsh speaker, we’d be delighted to receive your application. At USW, you’ll have access to Welsh courses to enable you to develop your Welsh skills further, in order to provide a bilingual service to our students, colleagues and the public.

We welcome applications in Welsh and English. Applications in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than those made in English.

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About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.