Project Communication Strategy responsibility for the Estate Strategy and, through contact with Deans, will ensure that plans in the short-term to develop academic activity do not compromise the overall strategies for the three main “campuses”. Very often this will mean a careful analysis and scrutiny of the immediate academic need and the consideration of several options for the proposed solution. It may also mean influencing the timing of proposals to fit in with dependencies on other areas of operation. At the very start of any major building project it will be necessary to set up the procurement strategy, taking into account the key priorities of the University, Department and Faculty, which are sometimes in conflict. The Director of Campus Development is responsible for development of strategy on each project and for managing the University’s total risk. This will be achieved through regular contact with the Senior Academics and Deans throughout the project timeline and also with senior staff within the Consultant and Contractor organisations that are delivering the project on the ground. By avoiding becoming too drawn into the detailed day-to-day project issues that always arise, the post holder must steer both internal and external resources to explore solutions to issues rather than to end up in conflict, and potential legal claim, which puts all of the project objectives at risk. There are many project-based initiatives within the University that benefit from input from the Director of Campus Development, either as the senior Estates’ professional in the University, or simply as an expert in project and programme management. The Director of Campus Development will be requested to provide input in a variety of ways into initiatives that the University is pursuing (including innovative delivery mechanisms). This input could be at a strategic programme level (e.g. for development or planning of student residences or of information technology), sometimes as sponsor, or at a project board level where specific estates expertise is required. Given the shorter-term appointments of senior academics, such as Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Deans and Heads of Academic Departments, the post-holder will be expected to provide corporate guidance within projects. This ensures that decisions are made with full recognition of the University’s overall context relating to strategy, delegation of authority, communication etc. The Director of Campus Development must prioritise the needs and demands of these other projects so that they are supported effectively, where necessary advising the senior team of issues that are developing that will require further strategic review. The post holder must have a clear understanding of commercial negotiation and procurement in the market place.
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