Associate director of property

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as Associate Director of Property . This senior role offers an exciting opportunity to provide strategic leadership of the University’s property portfolio, transforming land and buildings into active, value‑generating assets that support long‑term institutional objectives. You will operate within a dynamic and inclusive environment, contributing to the delivery of the University’s strategic priorities, place ambitions and financial sustainability.

Reporting to the Director of Estates (Partnering), you will act as the University’s senior property and commercial adviser and a key interface with external partners, investors and public‑sector stakeholders. The role plays a critical part in delivering the University’s Integrated Infrastructure Plan and 2035 Vision, including leadership of large‑scale, innovation‑led estate developments and joint ventures.

You will be responsible for:

• Providing senior‑level oversight of complex estate developments, acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures, ensuring long‑term value creation and compliance
• Leading the development and delivery of the University’s property strategy, aligned to institutional priorities and the Integrated Infrastructure Plan
• Establishing a portfolio‑based approach to asset management, including recommendations to retain, invest, repurpose, develop or dispose of assets
• Providing strategic leadership for space planning, utilisation and rationalisation, supported by robust governance, data and digital tools
• Leading, managing and developing the Property Team and specialist consultants, fostering a high‑performing and collaborative culture

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• A first degree (or equivalent) and full membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Extensive experience of client‑side property and estate management within a large, complex organisation
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience with valuations, income/outgoings and business case development
• Proven experience of strategic space planning, estate optimisation and major property‑related projects
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder‑influencing skills

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience leading innovation‑led developments or public/private partnerships
• Experience with digital estate systems, CAD/BIM and space management technologies
• Experience operating in a complex, matrix organisational environment

We value transferable skills, professional judgement and collaborative leadership as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

For more information, please see

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy:

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Email Address: talent.attraction@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.