UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
CANDIDATE BRIEFING PACK
SEPTEMBER 2019
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
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Introduction to University Partnerships Programme
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Our Partnerships
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The Student Experience
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UPP Management
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The role of the Construction Director
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Job description and person specification
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Benefits of working at UPP
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Further Information and Application Process
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
Introduction
University Partnerships Programme UPP We are the UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure. We have over 35,000 rooms in operation or under construction through long-term, bespoke partnerships with 15 world-leading universities. With over 800 employees, since 1998 UPP has invested well over £2.5bn in the UK higher education sector and provided homes to over 310,000 students. We create bespoke, long-term partnerships which enable universities to make the most effective use of their assets, free up resources and improve student services. We fund, design, develop and operate high-quality and affordable accommodation on campus and deliver the very best student experience in partnership with universities. Our unique partnership approach enables our university partners to develop their estates whilst reinvesting in their core services of teaching and research. We fund, design and build new on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure, complete estate transfers and operate facilities over the long-term. Our transactions are typically undertaken on a demand-risk-transfer basis through a non-recourse approach, with the asset returning to the university in an agreed condition at the end of the concession. We encourage our partners to take an equity share in the project company so that both parties benefit from the successful delivery and performance of the accommodation, with interests aligned over the life of the partnership.
Our Vision
To be the UK’s leading student accommodation provider working with the trust and confidence of our university partners. To deliver on this ambitious vision, we have three strategic aims: 1. To drive operational excellence throughout our Business. 2. To delight our university partners through the services we provide to them and their students. 3. To generate value for our investors to enable them to further invest in the growth of our Business. To achieve the aims, we all need to focus on six strategic priorities: 1. Student experience – to provide an easy-to-access, reliable and excellent student experience. 2. Partnership – to develop and maintain highly-effective university partnerships. 3. Our people – to develop a safe, highly-engaged, skilled and collaborative organisation. 4. Accommodation – to apply effective asset management to provide good-quality accommodation. 5. Continuous improvement – to promote a culture of continuous improvement by embracing technology, innovation and efficiencies. 6. Development – to ensure highly-effective development, design and construction capabilities.
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
In Partnership, for the long term. We deliver a range of services which can help universities to invest in improvements their estate, or improve student services. Our range of services includes; funding, design, build and operation of student accommodation. We employ over 800 people managing more than 35,000 rooms in operation or development. Our support, delivered in partnership, is helping 15 UK Universities to upgrade their estates, make best use of their physical assets, improve services and enhance In the last decade we have provided more than £2.5billion in new funding, supporting our partners to invest and grow, to meet demand and improve the student experience. Any UK University with a strong strategic vision can benefit from a partnership with UPP, or access our range of services. the student experience.
Our University Partners
Imperial College London Lancaster University Leeds Beckett University Loughborough University Nottingham Trent University Oxford Brookes University
1172 Rooms / FM Services
4347 Rooms / Eco-Residences / FM services 2038 Rooms / Eco-Residences / FM Services
1310 Rooms / FM Services
4402 Rooms / Academic / Retail / FM Services
771 Rooms / FM Services
Plymouth University University of Exeter
1754 Rooms / Academic / FM Services
2569 Rooms / Academic / FM Services, with 1564 more currently under construction (983 to be delivered by Summer 2020 and 581 by Summer 2021)
University of Kent
1840 Rooms / Eco-Residences / Academic / FM Services
University of Nottingham University of Reading
2223 Rooms / FM Services
4971 Rooms / Accommodation Office / FM Services
University of York
1043 Rooms / FM Services 1711 Rooms / FM Services 1750 Rooms / FM Services 2,021 Rooms / FM Services
University of London
University of Hull
Swansea University
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
Student Experience Great space and services with student experience built in. Our partnerships support universities to create environments within which students can live, study and thrive. We manage the needs of more than 35,000 students every term so we never stop learning and we share our experience with our partners. We also know that every University is as unique as the thousands of students it serves and this ensures that we are never complacent, and never take a one size fits all view. Listening, responding, adapting Students can be demanding and their needs constantly evolve. Independent qualitative and quantitative research helps us understand the evolving needs of students and face to face focus groups, and regular surveys with our residents enable us to check and adapt our approach quickly. As specialists, the quality of our staff and their in-depth understanding of the unique environment and the people for whom we provide services, enables us to support universities, understand their aims and their strategy and together deliver tangible improvements to the student experience. Our design teams work to understand how students want to use space, and how they interact with each other, leading to seemingly small improvements to the specification of a bedroom, or major changes that impact on construction or technology. At UPP we aim to deliver great places to live, with student experience literally built in.
Long-term, stable growth Our clearly defined strategy for growth is based on our overarching mission to be the strategic partner of choice in the delivery of infrastructure and asset management services to UK universities. Our model is focused on long-term partnerships, supporting universities in improving the quality of their physical infrastructure and services to students. In aligning the interests of both parties, our unique approach provides security in the delivery of revenues and in turn, expected returns to investors. Our strategy will: • Grow the number of partnerships we have with selected universities • Increase the number of student rooms under management • Deepen the existing relationships we enjoy with our current partners • Invest in our staff to ensure we deliver the best customer service • Develop new and innovative ways of funding infrastructure projects • Identify new revenue streams and increase the value of existing revenue streams • Develop innovative solutions for the non-residential requirements of our partners • Wrest the economic benefits of ever more effective procurement
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
UPP Management
UPP Management is responsible for delivering a range of asset management services to more than 15 separate project companies and be tasked with ensuring the quality of the UPP portfolio remains both fit for purpose and attractive to students over the full term of the Group’s long term partnerships. UPP Management works closely with the Group’s other divisions, UPP Projects Limited (UPL) and UPP Residential Services Limited (URSL), acting to ensure that industry leading assets are developed and that high quality residential and facilities management services are delivered. Our design, planning, funding and development business, UPL is responsible for the origination, negotiation and subsequent financial close of our transactions. URSL is responsible for the Group’s provision of specialist operational management services, ensuring the day to day delivery of high-quality services to the students of our university partners.
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
Job Description The Role of he Construction Director
The Construction Director leads the successful delivery of all construction projects and programmes across the UPP Portfolio, ensuring quality, programme and cost expectations are met. You will lead a team of Project Managers across a diverse range of projects including new-build, redevelopment and refurbishment. Projects range in value from £0.5m refurbishments to major new developments valued in excess of £100m. We are seeking an individual with a proven track record in the successful leadership of large-scale, high-volume construction projects and programmes, preferably in student accommodation, residential, education or a comparable sector. In this programme level role you will have proven leadership skills with experience of managing internal teams whilst successfully working with partners such as contractors, consultants and end-users/clients. We’re seeking someone with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and who is results-focused, driven and enjoys working in a dynamic environment. We are a business that is industry-leading and has a culture of continuous improvement, therefore the role would suit an individual with an innovative and proactive mindset. This is a key leadership role with significant impact across the business and will contribute to the integration, development and growth of UPP Management maintaining the highest standards in line with the Group’s vision, strategic aims and priorities.
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
Job Description
Company Location
UPP Group Holdings Limited
Gracechurch Street UPP Management Construction Director
Business Unit
Job Title
Reports To Direct Reports
Managing Director, UPP Management Construction Implementation Manager (various sites)
Job Purpose The Construction Director will lead the successful delivery of all construction and major refurbishment projects across the UPP Portfolio, meeting significant key performance indicators of time, quality, cost and safety. This is a key leadership role with significant impact across the business and will contribute to the integration, development and growth of UPP Management maintaining the highest standards in line with the Group’s vision and values. Excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills are essential to establish key relationships both within the UPP businesses and externally with our University Partners and supply chain. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities The post holder is accountable for all construction project delivery, including: • Programme • Budget and cost management • Quality (incl. design matters) • Risks (including mitigation & management actions taken) • Legal/commercial issues regarding construction contracts and delivery (working with the group legal director and commercial teams) • Planning and statutory authority matters • Health & Safety performance regarding construction delivery. More specifically the post holder will: • Be accountable for UPP’s construction project delivery on time and on budget, to the ap- propriate high standards. • Provide a strong and seamless link throughout the UPP group of companies, working closely with transaction, pre-construction, asset management, facilities management and university partners. • Support the transaction team on bids containing construction activities (to include a review of the construction programmes and methodologies). • Undertake the duties of UPP’s representative under the building contract.
• Manage key customer relationships with the University during construction delivery, working closely with the nominated points of contact (and the Landlords where applicable). • Manage the contract and relationship with key advisory providers of the Employers Agent, CDM, Clerk of Works roles and any other such consultants. • Liaise on a day-to-day basis with the UPP Construction Implementation Managers. • Liaise as required with the facilities service’s contractor (UPP Residential Services Limited) • Liaise as required with the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)’s representatives. • Quality management inspections and monthly reporting from a UPP perspective of - Works • Provide monthly executive reports to the Managing Director, UPP Management, and more in-depth reporting to the construction and post construction meetings to ensure accurate reporting and effective project governance. • Provide construction reports to, and when requested attend, relevant board meetings including SPV and Partnership Boards etc. • Ensure, all project documentation is in place and compliant, including management of all required meeting, reporting and notice protocols under the project documentation. • Ensure, all statutory compliance is achieved at point of practical completion/handover and prior to occupation for all projects. • As a member of the relevant internal groups, champion continuous improvement, so that UPP’s product offering is sector leading, of the appropriate high quality, efficient in operation and easy to maintain. • Engage in lessons learnt and seek university/occupier feedback as part of UPP’s continuous improvement process for all design and build activities including contracts, specifications, delivery methodology and supply chain. • Build and maintain strong relationships with UPP’s university partners, consulting and construction supply chain partners. • Ensure, all records, construction and handover documentation is in place and compliant • Develop appropriate risk registers for construction activities, implementing project management controls and effecting risk mitigation measures where required. • Review all financial model inputs in relation to confirming adequate construction delivery budgeting. • Keep relevant SPV Boards sighted on areas of risk relating to construction delivery. • Keeping all relevant parties informed of design development decisions during construction. • Other duties commensurate with the role. - Contractor performance - Consultants performance - H&S Performance
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
Job Description
Key Skills/Qualifications • Proven experience in the successful delivery of major construction projects working within large and complex organisations. • Ability to interact with senior professional consultants, university partners, construction partners and funders. • An understanding of project finance and development economics. • An understanding of project documents including leases, project agreements, construction contracts, warranties, performance bonds, parent company guarantees and FM agreements. • A thorough understanding of construction procurement and associated pricing. • A thorough understanding of the design process and requisite consents including planning and S106, S278, etc. • An understanding of the due diligence process. • An understanding of sinking fund assessments and their formulation and their interrelationship through the whole life approach. • Ability to work with colleagues to provide pragmatic solutions to new situations as they are presented. • Results focused - understands what is important to all stakeholders and is committed to achieving goals. • Tenacious approach to delivery, quality of output and organisation. • Strong communication skills - handles complex and difficult situations with thought and confidence.
Person Specification
Attributes Essential criteria
Desirable Criteria
Experience
Significant and demonstrable experience in the development and successful construction delivery; The negotiation and delivery of design and build contracts to fixed price and programme; and Delivering large scale planning permissions. Experience of successfully leading and delivering large and complex construction project. Relevant experience in Project Management, Construction Management, Contract Management or Cost Management. Experience of leading and managing teams. Ability to work within a team, plan and manage work activities, communicate and prioritise workloads. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Strong commercial acumen and negotiating skills. Ability to manage complex projects under time challenging conditions. Ability to effectively manage teams of multi-disciplinary professional consultants. Ability to manage a team, plan work activities, communicate and prioritize workloads. Excellent Client Management skills. Technical understanding of how ‘design and build’ is contracted, administered and delivered within a Project Finance environment. Detailed understanding of Project Management/ Construction Management role in transitioning from design to manufacture & construction. Budget setting and cost management. Project management skills. Strong influencing and people management skills. Self-sufficient in MS Office and other IT packages. Degree or Masters. Recognized Professional Qualification e.g. APM/CIOB RICS/ CIBSE/ICE. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with colleagues and external organizations at all levels Self-starter who can demonstrate drive and motivation to achieve deadlines. Uses initiative but with a consultative approach. Open and honest.
Working within the HE sector / Student accommodation, hotel or housing background.
Skills/Ability/ Knowledge
Relevant experience.
Education/ Qualification
Strong project management skills. Proficient in MS Word, MS Project and Excel.
Personal Qualities
Other The Asset Management Director will travel regularly throughout the UK and overnights stays required as deemed necessary.
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
The benefits of working at UPP
In addition to a competitive basic salary level and industry leading annual bonus potential UPP offer a diverse range of employee benefits, including: • Salary exchange pension – matched contributions of 5% • Private Medical Insurance – single cover with the option to add dependents • Private Health Insurance (Group Income Protection) • Life Assurance x4 salary (x2 salary if opted out of pension scheme)
• 29 days annual leave, plus 8 days bank holiday • Holiday purchase option – up to 5 days (FTE) • Bonus Exchange • UPP Payroll Giving (Give as You Earn) • UPP Rewards (discount portal) • Employee Assistance Programme
Our people forms one of our six strategic priorities. We strive to develop a highly-engaged, skilled and collaborative organisation that is diverse and has an embedded culture that promotes equality of opportunity. We offer the opportunity for flexible working and an inclusive environment for our people.
Further information and application process
For a confidential discussion to learn more about the role and opportunity please contact the UPP’s appointed recruitment partners Ben Duffill and Nicholas Coppard of The Management Recruitment Group. Ben Duffill
T: 0203 962 9900 M: 07976 125 010 E: ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk Nick Coppard T: 0203 962 9900 M: 07896 079 495 E: nicholas.coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk
Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV and supporting cover letter. Applications should be sent to ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk and nicholas.coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk. The closing date for applications is Sunday 13th October 2019.
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