UPP - Portfolio Strategy Analyst

PORTFOLIO STRATEGY ANALYST

CANDIDATE BRIEFING PACK OCTOBER 2022

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME

Introduction to University Partnerships Programme

Our Partnerships

The Student Experience

The role of Portfolio Strategy Analyst

Job description and person specification

Benefits of working at UPP

Further Information and Application Process

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME

Introduction

We are the UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure. We have over 36,000 rooms in operation or under construction through long-term, bespoke partnerships with 15 leading UK universities. With approximately 1000 employees, since 1998 UPP has invested well over £3bn in the UK higher education sector and provided homes to over 400,000 students. Our unique, long-term partnership approach enables our university partners to develop their estates whilst reinvesting in their core services of teaching and research. We design, build, finance and operate (DBFO) new, on-campus residential and academic infrastructure, and complete estate transfers of existing accommodation, for concession periods ranging from 40 years to 125 years. By providing high-quality and affordable accommodation on campus we aim to deliver the very best student experience in partnership with universities.

University of London

Our Vision

To be the leading infrastructure and services partner to UK universities by delivering next-generation campuses. To deliver on this ambitious vision we have developed a strategy focused on preserving and growing the value of our business through partnership, innovation and delivery. 1. Preserve the value of our business through active asset/investment management, maintaining a compliant estate and enhanced proactive marketing 2. Grow the value of our business by expanding our offer and working with leading UK universities 3. Partner more actively with universities through strategic relationship management 4. Innovate to deliver next generation products and services, driven by a new Innovation and Enterprise hub 5. Deliver for our partners by empowering our teams to provide an exemplary service, building the capability of our people, technology and processes, and driving a performance culture through strong leadership

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME

Student Experience

Transforming the Campus Experience

Great space and services with student experience built in.

At UPP we want to reinvent the way students live and learn at university by transforming the campus experience. Our new and clearly defined strategy for growth is based on our overarching mission to develop 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 seeks to protect and grow the value of our existing business, innovate our partnerships, and deliver the very best experiences to our student residents. Our strategy will: • Grow the number of partnerships we have with selected universities • Expand and innovate our next-generation product offer to universities • Enhance our experiential offer for our partners and their students • Empower our teams to deliver by building capability • Transform and optimise our Portfolio through strategic asset management • Drive a proactive and multi-channel approach to business origination • Develop an energetic performance culture with leadership at its heart • Embrace technology in our products and services and to improve our processes • Expand our complementary facilities management strategy

Our partnerships enhance the support and connection we have with the students who make their home with us. We currently manage the needs of more than 35,000 students every term and this means 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 teams 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.

Our Business Units

UPP comprises three business units;

• Asset Management Responsible for the long-term asset management of the Portfolio

• Residential Services Delivering facilities management services to our residences

• Business Development Designing, funding and development of new assets, as well as delivering strategic programmes

Each business unit, and the wider Group, is supported by a range of corporate services

Asset management

Our University Partners

Imperial College London

1,172 Rooms / FM Services

Lancaster University

4,347 Rooms / Eco-Residences / FM services 479 Rooms / Eco-Residences / FM Services

Leeds Beckett University Loughborough University Nottingham Trent University Oxford Brookes University

1,310 Rooms / FM Services

4,406 Rooms / Academic / Retail / FM Services

770 Rooms / FM Services

Plymouth University University of Exeter University of Kent

1,764 Rooms / Academic / FM Services 4,133 Rooms / Academic / FM Services

1,840 Rooms / Eco-Residences / Academic / FM Services

University of Nottingham University of Reading

2,229 Rooms / FM Services

4,982 Rooms / Accommodation Office / FM Services

University of York

1,043 Rooms / FM Services 1,711 Rooms / FM Services

University of London University of Hull Swansea University

1,750 Rooms / FM Services (matching the other lines)

2,440 Rooms / FM Services

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME

The role of Portfolio Strategy Analyst

University of Kent

• Data analysis and interpretation (financial and non-financial). • Report production – summarising complex information into informed actions and recommendations that meet the strategic, operational and commercial needs of the University and UPP. • Production of internal Executive level board papers and materials covering Portfolio Strategy initiatives, to involve: • Stakeholder management to acquire the relevant data and insight. • Data analysis, interpretation, report writing and summary of key financial and non-financial considerations for the Executive team to make informed decisions. • Development of the market supply and demand initiative (in collaboration with Customer Insight and Market Intelligence teams), to involve: • Review of the higher education development pipeline. • Review of student demand projections, sourcing insight from UPP partners, evaluating historic trends and demographic shifts. • Developing a forward-looking supply and demand database. • Any other tasks as required by the Portfolio Strategy Director in the delivery of team and business goals and objectives. Skills and Qualifications • Strategic real estate / planning experience with a strong academic profile • Experience working in the higher education sector • Consultative approach with the ability to quickly earn the respect of a wide range of stakeholders. • Ability to undertake and deliver complex portfolio reviews for university partners and communicate key findings and recommendations. • Deliver analysis of complex information, including financial analysis, to make appropriate recommendations and support portfolio decision making. • Strong planning and organisation skills (supporting stakeholder engagement)

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME

Job Description

Job Title

Portfolio Strategy Analyst Director of Portfolio Strategy

Reports To

Location

Arthur Street - London

Job Purpose

As part of UPP’s strategy to create a broader service offering, a new Portfolio Strategy & Optimisation team has been established. The team is responsible for working with university partners to undertake detailed, supply and demand driven, portfolio reviews with the overall aim to deliver accommodation strategies that meet the future needs and aspirations of the students and the University. The appraisal process will analyse supply/demand dynamics on both a current and future forecasted basis, considering projected trends around student demand and type as well as the university’s strategic plan around academic and commercial objectives. There is strong demand from universities for this type of service. Many have in the past viewed their real estate portfolios through a passive / operational lens. However, there is now a clear recognition that the success of the university is directly linked to the future performance of the estate. This role will report to the Director of Portfolio Strategy. The Portfolio Strategy Analyst will need to have a strong mix of appraisal skills to analyse complex forms of data, report writing skills to crystalise key finding and recommendations and, interpersonal skills to work with a range of UPP and university stakeholders. Roles and Responsibilities • Support in the delivery of the team’s forward-looking supply and demand driven portfolio reviews • Work with University stakeholders to understand each university’s drivers, challenges and objectives. • Work with UPP stakeholders on the development of estates data collection, systematisation and analysis required to build the Portfolio Strategy team platform. • Proactively work with UPP colleagues to ensure that the Portfolio Strategy team delivers the results required by the business. Example of monthly workplan & deliverables: • Whilst the workplan and deliverables will be flexible and in response to business and university need, monthly deliverables will include: • Production and delivery of portfolio review documents, to involve: • Stakeholder management – acting as the day to day point on contact with university partners and UPP staff to gather data and insight which will form the foundation of the portfolio review.

Other • Strong Excel, PowerPoint and report writing skills. Power BI experience.

Person Specification Attributes Essential criteria

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME

Desirable Criteria

Attributes

Essential criteria

Desirable Criteria

• A Masters level degree in a related area.

Experience

• Experience of working in strategic estate planning in the higher education sector (preferred) or, on complex portfolios. • Knowledge of current educational challenges / changes • Experience in delivering supply and demand driven insight and analysis • Sound understanding of space utilisation/planning and property solutions / transactions. • The ability to identify, analyse and manage complex data sets • Strong property and commercial acumen. • An analytical data-based approach • Analysis of complex real estate and higher education data to inform decision making. • Understanding of cash flow analysis for options appraisal. • Ability to scope and interrogate data, interpret and present to stakeholders • Good organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines.

Education/ Qualification

• Educated to degree level in a related discipline (e.g. Real Estate Management Consultancy, Strategic Planning / Management, Space & Asset Management) • Advisory/partnering ethos and approach. Self- motivated, ability to work independently, drawing on the experience of colleagues. • Innovative, flexible thinking and willing to challenge established ideas / approaches • Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.

Personal Qualities

Skills/ Ability/ Knowledge

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 dependants • Private Health Insurance (Group Income Protection) • Life Assurance x4 salary (x2 salary if opted out of pension scheme)

Further information and application process

For a confidential discussion to learn more about the role and opportunity please contact UPP’s appointed recruitment partners Ben Duffill and Nick Coppard of The Management Recruitment Group.

Ben Duffill | Director T: 0203 962 9900 M: 07976 125 010 E: ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk

• 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

Nicholas Coppard | Business Director T: 0203 962 9900 M: 07896 079 495 E: nicholas.coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter and should be sent to ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk and nicholas.coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk

This is an exciting time to join a commercially focused, high performing, customer and results oriented organisation that operates with energy, pace and passion. 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. We have an ongoing commitment to making UPP a great place to work for our teams, and as a reflection of this, the Company has been awarded Gold accreditation by Investors in People (IiP). This internationally recognised accreditation is the sign of a great employer and a great place to work with a clear commitment to sustained success through people.

All candidates are also requested to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which will be available upon submission of your application. Privacy Notice: Please note that by submitting your details, you are accepting that MRG and UPP is a “data controller”. This means that we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal information about you. You will receive an ‘Applicant Privacy Notice’ if your application is progressed. This notice will make you aware of how and why your personal data will be used, namely for the purposes of recruitment, and how long it will usually be retained for.

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