Chief Operating Officer/COO, Cardiff University Kazakhstan (Astana)

Cardiff University Kazakhstan is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join its senior leadership team. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a dynamic and ambitious international institution.

As COO, you will report directly to the Provost and play a central role in driving operational excellence across all professional services. You’ll lead strategic initiatives that enhance student and staff experiences, oversee financial and resource management, and ensure compliance with governance standards in both Kazakhstan and the UK.

You will be responsible for a broad portfolio including HR, finance, digital services, legal compliance, marketing, admissions, and student services. Your leadership will be key in developing high-performing teams, fostering innovation, and delivering integrated solutions aligned with CUK’s strategic goals.

We’re looking for a visionary leader with a strong track record in senior management within higher education or a similarly complex organisation. You’ll bring outstanding interpersonal skills, financial acumen, and the ability to inspire and influence at all levels. Experience in Central Asia and proficiency in Kazakh or Russian are desirable.

This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact in a fast-growing international university. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and drive transformative change, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply

In applying for the position, please enclose a CV along with a covering letter of no more than 2 pages, specifically aligned to the person specification and outlining how your skills, expertise, experience, and your personal characteristics would equip you to make a positive contribution in the role.

Written applications should be submitted to Mrs Rhian Perridge at the email address provided in the vacancy contact details by 13.00 CET / 17.00 GMT on Thursday 18 September 2025.
Panel interviews will be held in the week beginning 29 September 2025, in Astana, Kazakhstan and online, as appropriate.

Should you wish to arrange a confidential conversation about the role, please use the contact email provided in the vacancy details to make an appointment with the Chief Operating Officer of Cardiff University, Paula Sanderson.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Key strategic duties

• To lead the development, implementation, and oversight of operational strategies, systems and processes, and their integration across CU Kazakhstan.
• To lead and implement CU Kazakhstan’s vision and strategic objectives for professional services.
• To contribute to the leadership of the university, ensuring that the university is able to deliver on its strategic direction and growth plans.
• Leading on the articulation and development of an integrated Professional Services function which supports and delivers the CUK strategy.

• Leadership, Team Development and motivate of others

• To provide strategic leadership to diverse teams, creating a culture of accountability and excellence across Professional Services.
• Providing leadership for the overall development, management and sustainability of the Univeristy’s Professional services.
• Leading, advising and coaching the senior managers of the Professional Services to develop and maintain an effective and resilient leadership team, paying particular attention to individual and team effectiveness, succession planning, service development that is aligned with University's strategic requirements and delivery of high quality services.

• Finance and Resources Management

• To support income diversification and revenue growth through oversight of flexible lifelong learning, and other initiatives.
• Encourage the development of commercial income-generation functions, processes, actives and capabilities within and across all parts of the University in line with university strategy and working in partnership with other managers in seeking out and exploiting development opportunities for the University which promote its regional, national and international impact.

• Risk Management and Compliance

• Ensuring that the University's governance arrangements are efficient and effective and that audit, regulatory and statutory requirements are met in both Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom.
• To oversee CU Kazakhstan’s approach to corporate governance.
• To lead the development and implementation of risk management strategies and to report regularly to the Control Body on matters requested by the Supreme Body.
• Collaboration and engagement with others
• Working with the Provost to maintain a productive relationship with the student’s bodies and student representatives.
• Developing relationships with key stakeholders within the University and advocating on behalf of CUK and its interests through active external engagement with the sector, government and business.
• Partner with Cardiff University and other International Universities.
• Liaise with external bodies regulatory, political and other bodies.
• Liaise and work closely with QCEF ensuring the provision of high-quality estate including developing and maintain a forward capital investment plan as well as overseeing investment plans for the existing estate.

• The ability to implement and drive an operational strategy that aligns with CU Kazakhstan’s long-term objectives.

• A strong track record of top-level leadership and management experience in a university or large complex organisation with significant change management experience.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, capable of managing relations with and inspiring a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to develop, motivate and inspire highly performing teams of diverse professional.
• The ability to contribute to the development of strategy in a complex, fast-changing environment, taking account of interconnections and balancing consequences.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets effectively.
• Significant administrative and management experience at a senior level within a British or similar higher education institution globally.
• A sustained record of achievement in professional services delivery in a higher education institution.
• Strong influencing and negotiating sills, with the ability to engage peers and colleagues in areas of focus and priority.
• Essential criteria:
• Post graduate qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development in higher education management.
• Experience working across a range of professional services to deliver integrated solutions to students and staff.
• Inspirational leadership capabilities with a strong ability to build and lead high-functioning teams.
• Experience of working in a complex and ever-changing regulatory environment.
• Strong intercultural competence skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Highly developed negotiating and influencing skills.
• The ability to prioritise a demanding workload, manage complexity, remain resilient and consistently deliver in a changing and challenging environment.

• Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in Central Asia.
• Spoken and written proficiency in Kazakh and Russian.

• The role is full time and available as soon as is practicable.
• The post is based in Astana, Kazakhstan, with occasional travel to the UK required.
• The salary will be competitive and commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
• The contract term will be 1 year in the first instance with the possibility of extension.