Director of Estates

Director of Estates

Competitive salary plus excellent benefits

University of the Arts London (UAL) is seeking to appoint its next Director of Estates.

UAL is a hotbed of creativity, innovation and invention across the knowledge economy. Drawing together six Colleges with international reputations in art, design, fashion, communication and performing arts, UAL is a fundamental part of the UK’s creative ecology. Ranked second in the word for Art and Design in the 2022 QS World University Ranking, UAL is hugely international, with a reputation that attracts over 22,000 students from 130 countries, creating a vibrant, multi-cultural community environment.

Now is an exciting time to be joining UAL to take up this role. Following the creation of the UAL Strategy 2022-2032, a 10-year Estates Strategy has been developed. In the next decade we aim to complete the delivery of two major developments for London College of Fashion and London College of Communication (including a new hub for University Services), thus rehousing circa 50% of the UAL population over the period. We will embark on a period of estate consolidation ensuring that the UAL estate is fit for purpose, sustainable and provides world-class facilities and experience to our students, staff and partners.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role of the Director of Estates is to provide strategic leadership within the Estates Department. The scale and breadth of the role is significant. The team comprises circa 200 directly employed and contract staff spanning major capital projects, estates development and management, FM, commercial & residential services and energy management. The annual operating budget is c. £30m, and there is separately a £30m break-even commercial enterprise incorporating accommodation, retail and catering. The existing capital programme is fully funded at £0.5bn across the 2 major projects.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of leading an estates portfolio across a large-scale, diverse organisation. With responsibility for a portfolio of such breadth, you will have a positive approach and track record of successfully inspiring and leading a large team of in-house staff and external partners ranging from senior leaders to operational professionals.

With excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, the appointed candidate will need to demonstrable ability to operate successfully with a multitude of internal colleagues as well as external stakeholders. It is crucial that potential candidates are aligned to UAL’s strategy and purpose.

The role offers a fantastic career opportunity to take leaderships of estates, facilities and commercial services provision for a world-renowned university with an extraordinary London estate portfolio. The Candidate Brochure can be viewed at https://online.flippingbook.com/view/429421276/

For a briefing discussion please contact our retained advisors Ben Duffill (ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk / 07976125010) and Michael Hewlett (michael.hewlett@mrgpeople.co.uk / 07972579938) at MRG. Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter and should be sent to ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 4^th December 2022.

UAL is committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments for all staff and students to work and learn – a university where we can be ourselves and reach our full potential. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and Staff Support Networks. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and caring responsibility.