Executive Director of Estates and Campus Services

When you work for the University of Lancashire, you’ll be part of a thriving community of talent that’s united in a common commitment to transform lives. We do this by delivering an outstanding educational experience and creating prosperity and opportunity in the communities we serve. Whatever your role, you’ll be playing a vital part in helping us achieve our vision.

The University of Lancashire (formerly known as the (University of Central Lancashire) is seeking to recruit to the key leadership role of Executive Director of Estates and Campus Services. The role presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of the University of Lancashire estate, driving forward ambitious plans for campus development, regeneration, optimisation, operational excellence, and sustainability. 

The University of Lancashire is an international, multi-campus university tracing its roots back to 1828 and leading the way in modern learning today. One of the largest universities in the UK, with over 39,000 students, the University was named Edufuturists ‘University of the Year’ in 2023, in recognition of our work to ignite change and transform learning for the benefit of society and future generations.  

We are just over midway through our seven-year Strategic Plan 2021-2028 with the mission of being recognised as a leading UK university, with national and international influence, delivering real-world, practice-based education from our Preston, Burnley, Blackburn, West Cumbria, and Cyprus campuses.

About the role:

The Executive Director of Estates and Campus Services will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the University's estate strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives. This includes overseeing large-scale and diverse teams responsible for planning and delivering capital investment and estate optimisation through to the provision of high-quality estates, facilities management and campus services, with a focus on enhancing efficiency, customer experience, and value for money.

The impact of the University to students, staff and the community, combined with the scale and diversity of its estate portfolio, offers a unique and exciting challenge. Working with partners across the public and private sectors, the Executive Director will play a pivotal role in the placemaking agenda on the places we operate in. They will lead the Estates and Campus teams in driving efficiency through estate optimisation and the delivery of excellent estates services, contributing to the University's strategic objective of sustainable growth.

About you:

We are seeking an individual with a proven track record of developing and implementing estate strategies resulting in transformative outcomes relating to end-user experience and property and land optimisation. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and will demonstrate a compelling motivation and passion to take up the role and deliver success and impact for the University and the region over the long-term.

For further information please see the candidate pack, or to arrange a confidential discussion please contact our retained advisors David Craven, Michael Hewlett  or Ben Duffill of MRG. 

What we can offer you:

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. We also offer a fantastic package of rewards and lifestyle benefits – from an attractive annual leave entitlement to access to a comprehensive employee benefits platform.

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.

We are proud to share that we will soon be known as the University of Lancashire. Building upon nearly 200 years of academic excellence, this exciting new chapter reflects our commitment and ambition for Lancashire and beyond. We believe in helping people to seize every opportunity to flourish in education, at work and for life. Together, we’re here to help you achieve great things. 

Where opportunity creates success.