About the role:

This is a significant opportunity to shape the next phase of development of a large, diverse and operationally complex university estate. The successful candidate will provide strategic and visible leadership across the full Estates and Campus Services portfolio, ensuring that the University’s buildings, infrastructure, facilities and services actively support its academic ambitions, financial sustainability and the experience of students, colleagues and visitors.

Working closely with colleagues across the University, the Executive Director will lead the development and implementation of an ambitious, affordable and deliverable estate strategy and masterplan. Priorities will include estate rationalisation and optimisation, capital investment planning, sustainability and decarbonisation, statutory compliance, operational performance and the continued improvement of campus services.

The Executive Director will create a strong culture of collaboration, accountability and customer service, ensuring that teams are aligned around clear priorities and equipped to deliver excellent outcomes. This is also an important external-facing position. The successful candidate will build productive relationships with civic and regional partners, local authorities, professional advisers and delivery partners, ensuring that the University’s estate contributes positively to regeneration, placemaking and its wider regional impact.

About you:

We are seeking a visible, credible and inclusive leader with a strong track record of leading estates and facilities functions within a large and complex organisation. Candidates will bring experience of developing and implementing estate strategies, prioritising investment, optimising property and space, and leading operational services. Candidates must also have an undergraduate degree or an equivalent professional qualification.

Strong commercial and financial judgement will be essential, together with the interpersonal skills and executive presence required to build trust, influence senior stakeholders and lead large, diverse teams. Above all, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ambition, resilience and long-term commitment required to shape an estate and service environment that supports the future success of the University.

To arrange a confidential discussion please contact our retained advisors David Craven, Michael Hewlett or Ben Duffill of MRG.

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience and the written elements of your application should accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What we can offer you:

We have a fantastic package of rewards and lifestyle benefits – from an attractive annual leave entitlement to access to a comprehensive employee benefits platform which includes a 24/7 online GP.

Our people are our most important asset. We’ll encourage you to make the most of your talents and continually develop your skills and knowledge. As well as realising your career ambitions, you’ll be making a positive difference to other people’s lives. 

About us:

We are proud to be a diverse, multicultural university. We are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will support the diversification within the University and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

The University is committed to providing a safe environment to study, work and visit, protecting children, young people and adults at risk from harm and abuse. Our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedure outlines our approach, alongside other internal policies, procedures and guidance which can be found on our Safeguarding page.

Applicants applying for roles in regulated activity and that are listed as an exception under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be required to disclose any spent and unspent convictions and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at the appropriate level, the University will only ask an applicant to make an application for a DBS check if they are legally entitled to.

Closing Date: 01 Nov 2026

Division: Management

Salary: Competitive Salary