The University of Sheffield is seeking to appoint an exceptional Head of Buildings (Fabric) & External Services to provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and continuous improvement across the University’s diverse estate. This is a senior leadership role within the Engineering & Maintenance Team in Estates & Facilities Management, responsible for ensuring that the fabric of our buildings and our external environments are safe, compliant, sustainable, and of the highest quality.
The University of Sheffield is a truly special place, with a bold and ambitious future. As a leading global university renowned for the excellence, impact and distinctiveness of its research-led teaching, we are home to over 30,000 students and more than 8,000 staff from over 140 countries. We are committed to creating an environment where people and ideas thrive, now and for generations to come.
The Role
Reporting to the Associate Director of Engineering & Maintenance, you will lead the strategic management and operational delivery of all building fabric maintenance, lifecycle planning, and external services, including landscaping, across the University estate. This is a wide-ranging and highly influential role, overseeing everything from architecturally significant heritage buildings to complex, modern, award-winning facilities.
You will lead and develop a multidisciplinary in‑house team of professional and trade staff, alongside specialist external contractors, ensuring that all works are delivered to exacting standards and in full compliance with legislative, health and safety, and statutory requirements. You will be responsible for developing long-term fabric maintenance strategies, managing significant revenue and capital budgets, and implementing robust asset management and lifecycle planning informed by condition surveys and performance data.
A key part of your remit will be driving continuous improvement, sustainability, and innovation—exploring energy-efficient solutions, sustainable materials, and best practice approaches in support of the University’s net-zero ambitions. You will also act as the senior technical authority for building fabric and external services matters, providing expert advice, resolving complex issues, and building strong relationships with academic departments and professional services colleagues across the institution.
About You
We are looking for an experienced and credible leader with substantial expertise in building fabric maintenance within a complex estate environment. You will have a relevant degree (or equivalent experience), membership of a professional body, and a clear commitment to continued professional development. You will bring a strong and demonstrable ability to lead, motivate, and develop high‑performing teams, fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Central to your success will be your excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, allowing you to build strong relationships, influence decision‑making, and operate with confidence and credibility at senior level.
For further information, you can view the candidate brochure here: Uni of Sheffield - Head of Buildings (Fabric) and External Services
To arrange a confidential briefing discussion please contact our retained search advisors Charley McCarthy ( / 07344 093 390) or David Craven ( / 07932 717 438).
Applications should consist of a CV and supporting statement and should be submitted via our website here.