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Director of Operations, Faculty of Medical Sciences

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am the Director of Operations for the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The role provides day-to-day and strategic management of the faculty administration as well as supporting the Dean to develop and deliver the academic strategy.

How long have you been at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾?

I joined Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ in April 2009. I have had a couple of roles here. Before taking on the role of Director of Operations I was Director of Research Coordination for the School of Life and Medical Sciences. 

What and where was your previous role?

Before joining Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ I worked for the Royal Society. I had a number of roles there but just before I came to Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ I was Interim Head of Education – I’d taken a couple of years out as a career break when I had my youngest, who is now 11. I have three children and at that time my husband was away from home a lot so it was more practical for me to be at home. However I really missed work hence I went into an interim role at the Royal Society and then got a permanent position at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾. 

What working achievement or initiative at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ are you most proud of?

I think it was developing the School of Life and Medical Sciences Research Coordination Office from just four of us in 2011 to its current structure which enables us to give focused support for our researchers to develop really competitive strategic funding bids. I feel incredibly proud of the team and all we have managed to achieve. Oh, and when I first joined I wrote an MRC grant which was successful – it was my first time as a grant applicant rather than an grant giver – I suppose you could say I became game keeper turned poacher.

What is the best aspect about working at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾?

The variety of amazingly clever and creative people that work here, not just the academics but also those in the professional services. Its location is pretty cool too.

What does it feel like to be part of the Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ community? 

It’s a very supportive environment in which to build a career. The size of Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ means there are lots of opportunities to develop skills and experience. 

What would surprise people to know about you?

I have looped-the-loop in a Ryan PT-22, an open cockpit American training plane built in the 40s.