Director of Estate Operations

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people’s lives.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University; it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county, and community. Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education, and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.

We are seeking an exceptional candidate for this senior position. The role is responsible for driving improvements in the performance of the University’s unique estate portfolio. Providing effective leadership and management of the Estates Operations team, consisting of 112 staff. The team oversees property assets and space management, building and engineering maintenance, health and safety, energy and sustainability, and maintenance services, managing a revenue budget of £18m. The Director will lead on several strategic developments, including the Strategic Asset Management Plan, Decarbonisation Strategy, and Digital Campus. The role involves collaborative work with teams across the Estate and Facilities portfolio, members of the wider University leadership and management team, and external partners.

The ideal candidate will have senior leadership experience in estate management, be an excellent communicator and be able to inspire and engage those around you and build effective relationships with university colleagues and external partners. With the ability to think broadly and strategically, you will challenge convention, push boundaries, and work innovatively to enhance the operational efficiency and international reputation of our estate.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential, and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce, including people with disabilities, women, and black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities.