Head of Estates

On behalf of UKRI , we are looking for a Head of Estates (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract . This is a hybrid working role (two days per week office based in Swindon. Additional travel to other locations may be required).

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK.

UKRI invests £8 billion of taxpayers’ money each year into research and innovation and the people who make it happen. They work across a huge range of fields – from biodiversity conservation to quantum computing, and from space telescopes to innovative health care. They give everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, bringing together people and organisations nationally and globally to create, develop and deploy new ideas and technologies.

Job Purpose:

The BBSRC Head of Estates is to lead , develop and maintain planning, and delivery across the BBSRC UK Estate including Contract & Project Assurance, Leadership , Risk and Compliance, Line management and general estate management expertise . They provide assurance that effective ways of working are in place at BBSRC Institutes and with BBSRC estates team to safeguard UKRI owned assets and those other areas for which the BBSRC Executive Chair is accountable for.

As a Head of Estates , your main responsibilities will be to:

- Contribute to the development and delivery of the BBSRC Estates Strategy, taking into consideration various stakeholders’ expectations in supporting the Strategy Plan.
- Provide effective leadership of strategic assurance for capital works funded via the BBSRC Estates Panel Programme.
- Be responsible for strategic risk management of the BBSRC property portfolio under the management of the BBSRC Executive Chair. Deliver pragmatic solutions to mitigate risk and allow BBSRC to deliver its corporate objectives by providing advice and guidance on all aspects of statutory, safety, sustainable and environmental matters in relation to the built estate and ensure legislative compliance with all health and safety requirements applicable to BBSRC.
- Ensure that sustainability drivers are incorporated into the planning processes for estate investments. Maintain under continuous review all changes to estate related legislative matters. Attend UKRI Risk and Sustainability forums as required.
- In collaboration with BBSRC Institutes provide strategic oversight and leadership to BBSRC Institutes in developing their own five-year plus strategic asset management plans and in collaboration with them, manage , and maintain the implementation of a five-year rolling annual long term planned maintenance programme (LTM). Monitor the progression of works ensuring at all time Institutes are protecting UKRI freehold asset value and condition and operating their assets in a legally compliant manner. Agree annually work plans with Institutes.. Institute site security. Support BBSRC Institutes with physical security advice as required and co-ordinate returns to UKRI. Attend UKRI security forums as required.

Essential:

- HNC/HND in an estate, building or engineering qualification. 2. Professional membership of a relevant body such as RICS, CIOB, IWFM, CIBSE, APM or similar recognised professional body
- Excellent communication and time management skills and the ability to prioritise and deal with demanding situations, responding flexibly, whilst also dealing with ambiguity to deliver successful outcomes.
- Negotiations skills with the ability to understand the importance of two-way communication with excellent listening skills.
- Write clear and concise documents with particular emphasis on report writing and production.
- Ability to collaborate closely with colleagues and stakeholders to build strong relationships and support for initiatives , aligning activity and resources to deliver strategic objectives .
- Ability to respond positively to change, demonstrating agility and flexibility particularly when problem solving.

Desirable:

- Experience of working in the public sector
- Collaborating with multiple clients and organisations from differing sectors.
- Experience of working with a mixture of property types.
- Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, UKRI encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

UKRI welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".