Job Title: Head of Property Assets and Space Department: Estates and Facilities Grade: Grade 9 Salary range: £59,966-£67,468 Working arrangements: Permanent Full-time (nominal 35 hours), primarily Monday to Friday May be a requirement for evening and weekend working, as business demands Hybrid working, a minimum of two days per week in the office (following the initial training/induction period, which will be full time onsite), depending on business demands May be required to participate in local on-call arrangements, as relevant to this role Closing date: 27 January 2025 The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. The Role and Department As Head of Property Assets and Space, you will lead and provide strategic direction for the management and effective utilisation of all University property and space. You will oversee the management of the University's property interests in terms of freeholds, leases and licenses and the way space is allocated and utilised across the University's estate. You will ensure the function has the right people, skills and ways of working to deliver effective services for the business and ensure all reporting associated with property asset management and space is managed effectively and timely. Working in partnership with all other teams within the Estates and Facilities Directorate, you will ensure individuals within your team contribute to a positive experience, ensuring the delivery of a professional, seamless and high-quality service to all customers and stakeholders. You will be the University's expert on town planning, and landlord and tenant matters, and space management. You will be required to provide clear leadership, guidance and advice, in the development of the wider strategic vision on the University's long-term approach to town planning and specific tactical approach to particular developments requiring planning permission. You will also be required to provide strategic leadership and guidance in relation to space management within the University. The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses. More information on the services provided by the Estates and Facilities Directorate can be found on the internal SharePoint Hub. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 30 days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year (a total of 42 days per year). • The University closes between Christmas and New Year. • We offer a generous pension scheme, as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • Lots of support for health and wellbeing, including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme. • Onsite nursery is available and children's clubs in the summer holidays. • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community • Discounts are available via our benefits portal, including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema, and days out at various attractions. • A salary sacrifice scheme is also available, to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. • If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values Our collective 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. As a University, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham, we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community that is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities, women, and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process, wherever it is reasonable to do so, and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk * next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level, in a relevant discipline (or equivalent experience) 2. Professional recognition, such as a member of RICS (or equivalent by experience). 3. Professional property asset and space management practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery and activities within the organisation. 4. Experience of providing specialist property asset and space advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 5. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation. 6. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements. 7. Track record of cross-functional management and development experience. 8. Experience of managing budgets. 9. Experience of delivering and developing specialist services for property assets and space. 10. Experience in the establishment and management of a property terrier. 11. Experience of implementing policy and procedures, and involvement with future changes within Property Assets and Space. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 12. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally 13. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications and business systems. 14. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 15. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including, but not limited to health and safety. 16. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels. 17. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions 18. Financial and commercial acumen, with demonstrable success in effectively negotiating funding proposals, leasing and commercial terms. 19. Extensive knowledge of estate-related legal matters, including landlord, tenant and property matters. Desirable Criteria 1. Knowledge of the utilisation of property and space management database systems. 2. Experience of leading major projects involving multi-agency working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment. 3. Experience of working in the higher education sector. 4. Experience of change management. How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit • A CV • A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Ian Rooney, Director of Estates and Facilities, ian.rooney@durham.ac.uk. Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. • Oversee and manage professional and regulatory standards and policies relating to activities carried out by the Property Assets and Space teams. • Use your leadership and management expertise to implement any significant changes in the optimal way, in collaboration with other senior managers and specialists. • Lead on the development of new areas of work or activities including scoping, planning and implementing any changes to achieve the outcomes expected by senior colleagues. • Look for innovative ways to continually improve the services provided to your stakeholders. • Develop and implement new or improved policies, processes and standards, including an effective property asset management system. • Use your professional knowledge and experience as a property assets and space management practitioner to resolve problems, shape processes, develop systems and provide subject matter expertise and advice. • Support quality and regulatory audits to ensure systems and processes are operating in an optimal and compliant way. • Provide specialist insight that enables data driven decisions to be made about property assets and space management. • Act as the University's strategic lead for all University town planning matters, liaising with Durham County Council, Stockton Borough Council and other external agencies, such as Highways England, local interest groups, etc. • Engage with third parties and negotiate legal property arrangements, including the preparation of draft heads of terms, together with leases and licences, in relation to property acquisitions, leases and disposals, with the support of the University's legal team, where relevant. • Research new markets and opportunities, to maximise income from the estate, and advise on property investments and market demands. Planning and Organising • Use your expertise to help develop strategic plans and business plans that cover a wide range of operational activities relating to property asset and space management matters, including but not limited to the development and maintenance of the University's Strategic Asset Management Plan. • Define what needs to be achieved so that other colleagues can scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide initiatives, such as major upgrades to buildings. • Ensure your services are performing at the optimal level by setting clear standards and introducing measurable performance indicators. • Use your leadership expertise to help project teams understand what needs to be achieved, solve any problems that are encountered and keep implementation plans on track. • Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources, including but not limited to the allocation and management of expenditure of consumable and capital items. • Coordinate the management of all University planning applications at all stages, including pre-application, submission, post application and all associated planning permission conditions/S106 agreements and obligations. • Demonstrate robust and effective commercial acumen with property negotiations. • Develop and lead the implementation of the University's landlord and property strategy. Leadership and Team Development • Set operational and strategic objectives and use your leadership and management skills, to develop the people in your team(s) and ensure high standards of performance. • Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring your team(s) in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities. • Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members and considering succession plans. • Carry out regular performance reviews with colleagues to provide feedback on objectives and identify any development needs. • Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team, taking advice on more complex issues to specialist services or senior managers. Communication/Liaison • Lead internal and external meetings and committees to influence University policy, standards and governance. • Build and lead an influential network of internal and external contacts to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and use that information to improve and develop your service. • Identify opportunities to build relationships with external organisations to support the delivery of strategic level objectives. • Research new approaches being taken by internal and external stakeholders such as [local government, professional bodies and other agencies] so that you can take these insights into account when developing. • Explore options to promote and increase engagement in [events and activities] being delivered by your service. • Design and deliver a programme of professional development activities to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs. • Represent the University at the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) events, as applicable to the role. • Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement, which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.