Unite Students has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Estates Capital Delivery Manager to join our high-performing Estates team. The role will primarily cover our locations across the South of England.
The Estates Capital Delivery Manager plays a critical role in delivering essential lifecycle and capital works across our operational estate. This role ensures that building systems, infrastructure, and aesthetic standards remain safe, compliant, and aligned with our brand promise.
You will lead the planning and execution of a rolling programme of works - covering fire safety systems, access control, M&E infrastructure renewals and building fabric / structure remedials; ensuring that the corresponding compliance and change documentation is accurately recorded in our management systems. Works will need to be delivered in accordance with our wider strategic goals.
Working closely with Operations, Engineering and Maintenance, you will ensure works are prioritised, mobilised, and delivered with minimal disruption to residents, achieving value for money and sustainability goals.
Every bit of work you deliver - from fire safety / M&E compliance to modernising spaces - directly impacts the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of thousands of residents. This role brings accountability for works that keep our estate operationally resilient and fit for the future.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Deliver capital and lifecycle works, including:
o Fire safety systems (fire panels, AOVs, fire doors, PFP works)
o Access control, gates, and barrier systems
o CCTV and security upgrades
o Targeted lighting replacements
o Heating & hot water systems (e.g., hot water cylinders; air source heat pumps)
o Mechanical, electrical, and plant replacements
o Lift refurbishments or replacements
o Roof repairs and working-at-height equipment replacements and installations
o Rolling redecoration and flooring programmes
* Ensure all works are scoped accurately, tendered effectively, and delivered on time, within budget, according to strategic goals and to specification.
* Manage mobilisation plans to minimise customer impact and ensure operational readiness.
* Shared line‐management of an Estates Coordinator, providing clear direction, coaching, and development.
* Delegate administrative and reporting tasks effectively to ensure smooth programme delivery.
Stakeholder Engagement
* Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to prioritise works based on operational need.
* Act as the key point of contact for regional stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment throughout the whole delivery.
* Responsible to ensure all works are tendered in line with expectation and contractor performance is monitored and managed.
* Ensure that property teams have clear plans to ensure residents are communicated to and plans are in place to minimise disruption.
Compliance & Quality
* Guarantee adherence to statutory compliance, health & safety, and brand standards.
* Ensure all works meet technical specifications and regulatory requirements, leveraging third‑party specialists where necessary.
* Shared accountability for embedding sustainability improvements in all planned works.
* The role is required to report regularly on progress, risks and all matters relating to compliance, using the group systems.
* Projects will need to follow the change management protocols for our building safety cases and all relevant documentation captured through our property data systems.
* Manage allocated capital budgets, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost control, and value for money.
* Report on financial and delivery performance to the Group Estates Capital Delivery Manager.
* Projects will need to be managed within budget and customer constraints. Compelling papers will need to be produced by the delivery manager on any significant change to budget, scope or delivery programme.
What We’re Looking for in You
* Proven experience in estates, property, or capital project delivery within a multi‑site operational environment.
* Strong understanding of building systems, compliance, and lifecycle asset planning.
* Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong organisational skills.
* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
* Financial acumen with experience managing budgets.
What You’ll Get in Return
* A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company’s success
* 25 days’ paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
* A generous pension scheme - employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
* Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
* Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non‑birthing parents
* Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!
About Unite Students
Founded in 1991, Unite Students is the UK’s leading provider of purpose‑built student accommodation. You can find us in 23 leading university towns and cities, with 70,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.
Instinctive inclusion.
We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn’t just what we do but who we are.
People make Unite Students.
Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.
Room for Everyone
We’re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we’re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what’s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.
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