Job overview
The Capital Development and Property department is responsible for the successful delivery of the Trust’s annual operational capital plan (valued in 2021/22 at c£68m) and its property services function, including property transactions, leases, space management, the estate strategy, business rates, property returns to NHSEI, and service level agreements with other Trusts and organisations.
As part of the Business Operations team the post holder will be responsible to the Director of Capital Development and Property for providing business operations functions to support this complex programme of work. This will ensure that the administrative processes within the department are organised and managed efficiently and effectively.
Main duties of the job
1. The post holder will manage the department’s governance, reporting and administration activities, including internal Boards and Committees, external ICS and NHSEI regional and national returns
2. The post holder will provide leadership to a team of Business Operations Support Officers.
3. The post-holder will utilise specialist project management skills to deliver this complex programme of work, including providing project management experience and guidance. To ensure that all business is transacted in line with best governance principles, SFI’s and relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.
4. Ensure financial plans and targets are maintained through liaison with the Trust capital and corporate accountant, and co-ordinate with the appointed Cost Advisor to ensure projects are controlled against planned expenditure.
5. The post holder will be able to work with multi-disciplinary teams from across the Trust to deliver agreed outcomes and lead implementation of large scale change.
6. To be able to work with a high level of complexity and support translation of this into coherent plans that can be used to motivate and enthuse individuals and clinical teams;
7. Oversee the development and maintenance of the departments Risk Register and risk management action plan, and associated reporting;
8. Ensuring that programme budgets are reported accurately and that standing financial instructions are followed at all times; and Manage staff in line with best HR practice.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Communication
• To foster effective and supportive relationships with operational teams and external stakeholder to enable delivery of agreed outcomes.
• To develop strong and supportive working relationships with operational and corporate teams.
• In the context of the capital projects, to represent the Team with hospital teams and external stakeholders as required.
• To be comfortable participating in Executive led Steering Groups and liaising with Executives as necessary to deliver objectives.
• To develop and lead implementation of large scale improvement/change projects.
• To be credible and foster effective and supportive relationships with senior leaders to enable delivery of agreed outcomes and compliance with new standards and ways of working.
• To be able to promote, negotiate and facilitate change and, at times, resolve conflict with senior colleagues.
• To be able to work with and empower multi-disciplinary teams from across the Trust to deliver agreed outcomes.
• To be able to work with a high level of complexity and support translation of this into coherent plans that can be used to motivate and enthuse individuals and clinical teams.
• In the context of the corporate project element of the Team to represent the team to hospital teams and external stakeholders as required.
• Ensure that all department staff understand the importance of excellent communications, particularly where projects are complex or involve multiple services.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
• Presentation of highly technical property; legal, design, compliance, contractual or financial information to project stakeholders/project team members (membership of groups will be diverse and could include directors, local authority officers, clinicians, service users, contractors, consultants and members of the public).
• To analyse and interpret sensitive and highly complex information and figures and take appropriate action and provide appropriate advice that fits with the strategic aims and ensure achievement of performance targets.
• Ensure that the year-end capital forecast outturn figure is delivered with all required reports, accruals and receipting schedules provided at the appropriate time.
• To provide challenge and scrutiny of projects to ensure agreed outcomes will be delivered.
• To be able to direct others to complete relevant analysis to support decision making.
• To be able to understand and communicate complex information and facilitate others understanding of it.
Planning and Organisational Skills
• To plan and prioritise own and project teams’ work.
• To be able to manage competing and changing priorities to ensure outcomes are achieved.
• To identify and plan own professional development needs.
• Experience of cost/benefit analysis of expenditure and management of budgets.
• To support the development of the project management environment for projects and ensure there are robust systems and processes for the development, tracking and reporting of projects.
• To development of Project Initiation Documents including project, risk, contingency and resource plans and project controls.
• Co-design of governance structures and reporting processes.
• Development of project scope including testing financial benefits and non-financial benefit plans.
• Post-project evaluation.
• Implementation of improvement methodologies.
• To ensure compliance with the established governance, producing highlight and exception reports as required.
• To support the application of project management and improvement methodologies.
• To act as a champion for continuous improvement, encouraging a progressive approach to the use of project management and improvement methodologies.
People Management and Development
• The post holder will need to gain the co-operation of the many stakeholders associated with complex, sensitive or contentious capital and property projects. Strong listening, negotiating and persuasive skills along with a highly developed problem solving approach are therefore essential.
• Setting objectives, rules, standards and boundaries for departmental staff and/or external consultants in situations where their performance has caused problems within a project team.
• Contribute to the continued training of new members of staff within the department, as required.
Learning and Development
• Attend mandatory training updates as required.
• Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
• To maintain own knowledge of best practice and the current evidence base for practice.
• Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
• Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
• To coach all members of the department as required, to embed best practice project management.
• To provide organisation wide training in project and change management techniques
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. Educated to Master’s degree level with relevant professional knowledge in capital, development, engineering, construction, property related function and/or estate management.
10. Highly developed specialist knowledge acquired through post graduate courses in project management and/or property, commissioning and health care premises
Desirable criteria
11. Project management qualification. (MSP, PRINCE2 etc.) or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
12. Experienced in managing construction and/or engineering projects - General Building Construction Site management, Project Management procedures and processes
13. Ability to deal with people at all levels to guide, support and counsel on highly complex and contentious issues.
14. Team leadership, staff management and development.
15. Estate and property management including property transactions.
Desirable criteria
16. Previous experience of implementing corporate governance principles within a service/programme or organisation.
Skills
Essential criteria
17. Ability to produce strategies, business cases, reports and documents which clearly set out highly complex issues
18. Ability to communicate highly complex/technical information in a clear and non-threatening manner
19. Influencing and negotiating with key internal stakeholders including Trust Board members, senior clinicians, Divisional Clinical Directors, Associate Directors, auditors and staff representatives.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
20. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
21. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications