Learning Mentors jobs

Head of Resource Solutions

Permanent – 1 FTE

Who We Are

UCC Academy is the internal partner for accelerating the delivery of University College Cork’s priorities. We bring targeted professional capabilities and deep institutional knowledge to every engagement, enabling the University to achieve its strategic and operational goals.

We uniquely collaborate, innovate, advise, and operate with flexibility—ensuring our work is aligned with UCC’s evolving needs.

Mission

We harness our talent and best practices to support the delivery of UCC priorities, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. As part of the UCC group, we collaborate and operate flexibly and cost effectively to realise our mutually aligned goals.

Our Values

At UCC Academy, our values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together.

Delivering Excellence and Value

We uphold high professional standards and deliver impactful, client-focused solutions.

We:

· Strive for excellence in every task and interaction

· Take ownership and continuously seek improvement

· Foster innovation through collaboration and curiosity

Success and Growth

We invest in our people to develop the skills needed in a dynamic environment.

We:

· Embrace lifelong learning and personal growth

· Share knowledge and mentor one another

· Future-proof our capabilities through agility and efficiency

Wellbeing and Balance

We prioritise the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of our people.

We:

· Promote flexible and sustainable work practices

· Support wellness and inclusivity

· Respect and value everyone’s time

Trust and Collaboration

We build a respectful and supportive environment where productivity thrives.

We:

· Lead with empathy, kindness, and authenticity

· Encourage open communication and shared accountability

· Focus on outcomes, not presenteeism

Role Overview

The Head of Resource Solutions is an executive-level leader responsible for shaping and delivering a high-impact, multi-faceted resourcing function that aligns with the strategic priorities of UCC Academy and UCC. This role provides executive oversight and strategic direction across UCC group service areas such as Global Engagement, Conference, Graphic Design, and Resourcing, ensuring these functions operate efficiently while managing risk and compliance and delivering solutions focused services.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Head of Resource Solutions will lead cross-functional collaboration, drive service innovation, and ensure operational excellence. The Head of Resource Solutions will also play a pivotal role in stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, quality assurance with our clients.

The successful candidate will foster a high-performing, inclusive team culture, while ensuring that resourcing strategies are agile, compliant and aligned with the evolving needs of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership, Strategy and Planning

· Serve as an effective member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to strategic decision-making and long-term planning.

· Accountable for strategic leadership and direction of the Resource Solutions function, ensuring alignment with UCC Academy’s and UCC’s strategic goals and objectives.

· Represent the Resource Solutions function at Executive meetings, Board meetings and other relevant forums, with responsibility for ensuring emerging actions are effectively undertaken across all relevant areas.

· Support Executive decisions, positively communicating complex and sensitive information to identified stakeholders, as required.

· Role model UCC Academy’s values and leadership behaviours, challenging nonalignment, where exhibited.

Service Delivery and Governance

· Oversee the strategic coordination and integration of six core service delivery areas: Global Support, Conference, Graphic Design, Resourcing and any potential future Design, Build, Operate, Transfer (DBOT) Model’s (“DBOT”), ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and operational excellence.

· Ensure the effective development, negotiation, and management of client engagements and relevant contracts.

· Act as the senior escalation point for service delivery issues, vendor relationships, and project risks across all Resource Solutions services.

· Drive a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing sustainable process enhancements that improve efficiency, service quality, and client satisfaction.

· Maintain accountability for service performance, including financial outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations.

· Monitor internal demand patterns and external market trends to inform proactive service planning, innovation and resource allocation.

· Foster strong working relationships with service leads, empowering them to manage day-to-day delivery while providing strategic guidance and support.

· Lead the integration, scaling and governance of new service areas as they emerge, ensuring alignment with UCC Academy’s and UCC’s strategic direction and operational capacity.

Business Development

· Own the development and management of the Resource Solutions pipeline, ensuring a balanced and strategically aligned portfolio of work that remains within the bounds of UCC and public sector policies and procedures.

· Actively identify and secure new business opportunities.

· Develop and execute client engagement strategies that foster long-term relationships, builds trust, and unlock opportunities for repeat and expanded service delivery.

· Ensure service delivery excellence that reinforces UCC Academy’s reputation for quality, innovation and impact, contributing to sustainable revenue growth.

Stakeholder Management

· Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders across all service areas, including UCC Academy’s CEO and clients.

· Act as a trusted advisor to internal and external stakeholders, providing expert guidance on resourcing solutions.

· Establish structured mechanisms for capturing and analysing client feedback, ensuring insights are systematically integrated into continuous improvement initiatives and strategic decision-making across the Resource Solutions function.

· Ensure stakeholder expectations are effectively managed through transparent communication, clearly defined engagements and associated contracts, and regular engagement at both strategic and operational levels.

· Empower team members to lead day-to-day stakeholder interactions, while providing senior-level support and intervention for complex, high-impact or sensitive engagements.

· Promote a culture of collaboration and shared accountability, ensuring stakeholder feedback informs continuous improvement and innovation across the Resource Solutions function.

· Ensure close collaboration with other business units to source candidates for engagements.

Finance and Risk Management

· Lead financial planning and oversight for the Resource Solutions function, supporting the development and management of the annual budget and quarterly forecasts in partnership with UCC Academy’s Finance team.

· Maintain accountability for financial performance across all service areas, including profit and loss, forecasting, and cost management.

· Ensure financial and risk management practices are embedded across all Resource Solutions activities, supporting compliance, transparency and informed decision making.

· Manage and report on risk elements and mitigations associated with contractual agreements and service delivery, ensuring proactive identification and resolution of risks.

· Provide strategic input into UCC Academy’s risk, governance and compliance frameworks.

· Accountable for developing processes to mitigate employee relations risks in relation to specialist and resourcing engagements.

· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements, ensuring the organisation remains aligned with current standards and obligations.

Quality Assurance

· Hold overall accountability for quality assurance across the Resource Solutions function, ensuring consistent and high-quality standards of engagement e.g. risk, process, contracts etc.

· Establish and maintain a robust quality assurance framework, including tools, templates, and review processes that support delivery excellence and continuous improvement.

· Ensure that quality assurance is embedded throughout contractual agreement terms and project lifecycles.

· Monitor quality metrics and performance indicators, using insights to inform strategic decisions and drive operational enhancements.

· Lead periodic quality reviews and audits, ensuring compliance with internal standards, client expectations, and relevant regulatory or contractual requirements.

· Foster a culture of accountability, learning, and excellence across all teams, encouraging proactive problem-solving and reflective practice

People Leadership

· Lead and manage a diverse, multidisciplinary team providing strategic direction, coaching, and performance oversight to ensure delivery excellence and professional growth.

· Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team culture that reflects UCC Academy’s values.

· Oversee strategic workforce planning and talent management with the People and Culture team, ensuring the Resource Solutions function is equipped to meet current and future demands.

· Champion professional development, mentoring, and succession planning across all levels of the Resource Solutions function, building leadership capability and organisational resilience.

· Promote cross-programme collaboration and knowledge exchange to maximise impact, drive innovation and support shared learning across the organisation.

· Work closely with the People and Culture team to address complex people matters.

· Responsible for the overall performance and positive employee experience across the Resource Solutions function, with accountability for talent retention through effective leadership, engagement, and development strategies.

· Demonstrate accountability for personal performance and growth, aligning with UCC Academy’s values and contributing positively to team and organisation.

Reporting & Analytics

· Lead the development and implementation of a strategic reporting framework that provides visibility into the performance, impact and value of the Resource Solutions function.

· Maintain accountability for the accuracy, relevance and timeliness of reporting across all service areas including KPI’s, financial performance, service delivery outcomes, delivery risk, stakeholder engagement and workforce metrics.

· Promote a data-informed culture within the Resource Solutions function.

Other Responsibilities

· Ensure compliance with data protection and legal requirements in consultation with Legal Counsel.

· Stay informed on relevant resourcing trends and changes in legislation that could influence the Resource Solution function strategies or operations.

· Undertake any other duties reasonably assigned by the CEO or equivalent.

This list is not exhaustive, and the Head of Resource Solutions will undertake other duties as appropriately requested.

Essential Criteria

· 10 years’ experience in a senior resourcing, operations, or service delivery leadership role.

· A relevant third-level qualification (e.g. Business, Operations Management, or related field), or relevant equivalent experience.

· Proven experience leading diverse, multidisciplinary teams with a focus on performance, engagement, and development.

· Demonstrated success in strategic planning, operational leadership, and service innovation.

· Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and acting as a trusted advisor at executive level.

· Strong track record in business development, including pipeline management, client engagement, and contract negotiation.

· Experience in financial planning, budget management, and risk oversight at a functional or organisational level.

· Experience in workforce planning, talent development, and succession planning.

· Familiarity with data protection legislation and compliance requirements.

· Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to foster a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team culture.

· Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at senior levels.

· Strong commercial acumen and understanding of resourcing models and service delivery frameworks.

· High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

· Ability to manage competing priorities and lead through change and ambiguity, when required.

· Proficiency in using data and analytics to inform decision-making and performance reporting.

· Experience of engaging with external experts or third-party providers to source specialist advice, ensuring alignment with organisational standards.

Desirable Criteria

· Experience working within or alongside higher education institutions or public sector organisations.

· Familiarity with Design, Build, Operate, Transfer (DBOT) models or similar service delivery frameworks.

· Experience in contract negotiation and management, including public procurement processes.

· Knowledge of international resourcing and global mobility processes.

· Experience with digital transformation, including the use of technology to enhance service delivery and reporting.

· Understanding of employee relations risks and mitigation strategies in specialist resourcing contexts.

· Experience designing and embedding strategic reporting frameworks and performance dashboards.

· Exposure to international consulting or cross-border service delivery.

· Demonstrated experience managing or supporting the management of international operations, contracts, resourcing and procurement.

Conditions of Employment

· Employment Type: The post is full-time. A six-month probationary period will apply.

· Eligibility: You must be eligible to work in Ireland to be considered for the role.

· Salary on commencement: Level 6: €86,000– €117,697 per annum. New entrants to UCC Academy will likely be appointed onto one of the first three points of the scale, subject to experience.

· Term: Permanent on successful completion of a 6-month probationary period.

· Annual Leave: 25 Days plus up to 5 discretionary Company Days.

· Pension: Company Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.

· Location: Our place of work is the Western Gateway Building, UCC. Onsite presence is required, with opportunities for flexible working when organisation and client needs allow.

How to Apply

In order to be considered for the post, we ask you to submit a 2-page CV and cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements. Deadline for applications is 12pm, Friday 12 December.

UCC Academy is an equal opportunities employer

By submitting your CV you are deemed to give your consent to UCC Academy to share your CV and personal details with the University and individual departments within the University for the purposes of recruitment.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: €86,000.00-€117,697.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Company pension
• Sick pay

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Cork, CO. Cork