Craig O'Callaghan
Billericay,Essex
Summary
Experienced Higher Education leader with expertise in Leading major professional service functions IT, Finance, and Business Development teams. A strong track record of success delivering growth in student numbers and financial returns and optimising student services and stakeholder engagement. Significant experience in contract negotiation, policy formulation and Board level representation.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Freelance Higher Education Consultant
UK Universities
11.2023 - Current
- Supported senior leaders in developing new business initiatives
- Strategic and operational Reviews of professional service provision
- Strategic analysis using quantitive and qualititive data to support leadership options for university change
Managing Director
University of London Worldwide
09.2021 - 10.2023
- Led a team of 200 staff across registry and student services, accounting operations , business planning, global engagement and product development to deliver educational programmes to 45,000 students
- Developed effective business strategies for sustained growth, including review and renewal of partnership contracts.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement, driving operational excellence.
- Oversaw financial operations for fiscal control and profitability. Increasing turnover from £65m to £83m and profit from £3.5 to £8.5 million
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations
University of London Worldwide
06.2013 - 08.2021
- Led a team of 150 across registry services IT, Finance & logistics to support delivery of 130 University of London degree & diploma programmes globally
- Established key relationships with stakeholders, contributing towards long-term success of the University.
- Fostered a collaborative work environment to enhance team performance.
- Established strong partnerships with UOL federation members and Overseas education institutes for mutual business growth.
- Architected streamlined operational processes, resulting in significant cost savings and increased organisational efficiency.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement by championing innovation and implementing best practices across departments.
- Engineered data-driven decision-making processes, fostering culture of agility and adaptability within leadership team.
- Spearheaded strategic planning initiatives to align organisational objectives with market dynamics, driving sustained business growth.
Director of Business Transformation
University of London
06.2009 - 05.2013
- Led negotiations with vendors and suppliers for the procurement of a new Student records system and student portal for the University c £7 million investment
- Recruited and developed high performing teams to implement new systems focused on student self service
- Implemented process improvements, streamlining operations across all registry activities for increased productivity.
- Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
Director of Student Services
University of LOndon
06.1993 - 05.2009
- Led Registry service function for the University c 100 staff
- Managed sensitive student issues with tact and diplomacy, resulting in positive outcomes.
- Responded swiftly to all queries for optimal customer service.
- Adhered to strict confidentiality protocols to safeguard and accurately store student information.
- Developed and implemented a warehouse and logistics service from London and Singapore to deliver hard copy study materials and textbooks to 40,000 students in over 150 countries
Education
MSc - Politics & Administration
Birkbeck, University of London
London, England 09.1998 - 06.2000
Bachelor of Arts - History and Politics
University of Huddersfield
Huddersfield 09.1982 - 06.1985
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Policy formulation
- contract negotiation
- customer service management
- project and change management
- Team Leadership & stakeholder engagement
- Process Improvement
Certification
Prince 2 qualified
Timeline
Freelance Higher Education Consultant
UK Universities
11.2023 - Current
Managing Director
University of London Worldwide
09.2021 - 10.2023
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations
University of London Worldwide
06.2013 - 08.2021
Director of Business Transformation
University of London
06.2009 - 05.2013
MSc - Politics & Administration
Birkbeck, University of London
09.1998 - 06.2000
Director of Student Services
University of LOndon
06.1993 - 05.2009
Bachelor of Arts - History and Politics
University of Huddersfield
09.1982 - 06.1985