DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES & CAPITAL PROJECTS Candidate Briefing Pack
Contents
1. Introduction
2. UCLan
3. The Estate and Masterplan
4. The City of Preston and the Region
5. Job description and person specification
6. Working at UCLan
7. Application process
Introduction
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a leading modern University and one of the UK’s largest with a student and staff community approaching 38,000 and turnover in excess of £225m.
The UCLan core campus in the University’s home city of Preston covers a significant swathe of the city (an area of approximately 15 hectares with 63 buildings) and has been rejuvenated over the last 5 years with a £200m Campus Masterplan. UCLan has also invested significantly in recent years in its Burnley campus to serve Pennine Lancashire. Collectively the campus estate creates an eclectic and highly visible built environment to support UCLan’s Mission and Strategic Aims. We are seeking to make the crucial leadership appointment to the role of Director of Facilities and Capital Projects. Following the amalgamation of the Capital Projects and Estates & Facilities functions the postholder will lead the development and delivery of the Estate Strategy and Masterplan whilst ensuring that customer-focused estates and facilities management services are experienced by students, staff, visitors and partners of UCLan. You will lead a diverse portfolio of services with teams spanning the areas of masterplanning & capital projects, maintenance, engineering & infrastructure management, space management, estates helpdesk, security, cleaning, health & safety, sustainability & energy management and grounds management. We are seeking a highly motivated and results-focused individual with excellent interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. Innovative and entrepreneurial, you will enjoy working at pace and across a diverse portfolio of activities. The role offers a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious and enthusiastic individual to play a key part in the continuing and future success of the University and its wider role in the North West region. We look forward to hearing from you.
Michael Ahern Chief Operating Officer
UCLan
The University of Central Lancashire has evolved over the years to become a significant University on the global stage.
This was first recognised in 2010 with its inclusion in the QS World Rankings - the first modern University in the UK to gain this status. In 2017, the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR) placed the University in the top 3.7% of all worldwide universities and in last year’s QS Stars Development Roadmap 2018 it was awarded the maximum five-star rating in the areas of teaching, employability, internationalisation, facilities, social responsibility and inclusiveness. The University was also commended for attracting 50 percent more academic referees than in the last QS audit in 2011. These achievements highlight the progress the institution continues to make in providing students with real-world learning experiences and reflects the institution’s broad pool of academic talent. True to its mission, the University is amongst the leading universities for supporting people from underrepresented groups to access higher education. In 2014, the University introduced a comprehensive range of Foundation Year entry programmes to further strengthen its commitment to being an accessible University. Amongst its programme portfolio of over 350 undergraduate and 200+ postgraduate courses, UCLan has been at the forefront of developing degrees in the emerging disciplines such as fashion and forensic science to more recent additions such as dentistry and since 2015, undergraduate medicine which is being delivered in one of the UK’s newest Medical Schools. Aerospace engineering is another new programme, part of the University’s commitment to grow its portfolio of engineering-related courses, and is coupled with the development of a £35 million Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC). The University’s long-term strategy for engineering is to increase the number of young people, particularly women, choosing to take up the subject. The aim is to provide a rich source of new graduates that reflect the economic priorities of the North West, the UK and indeed the global economy. The EIC forms a key pillar of the University’s £200 million Campus Masterplan which will create a worldclass educational environment that blends new facilities with the creation of public, green spaces to benefit the University, the city of Preston, and the economy of the North West. The University’s plans are being informed by the local, regional, business and civic communities, with whom it continues to build close relationships.
Creating a remodelled campus environment will help drive the University’s commitment to academic excellence, striving to ensure that its teaching and learning, research and knowledge exchange activities are all recognised as being of exceptional quality. The impact is perhaps best seen in the results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework: all 16 subject areas in which the University’s research was assessed were judged to contain ‘worldleading’ quality. The University of Central Lancashire has played a significant role in international higher education for many years. It has extensive franchise arrangements across the world; its student body comprises of people from over 120 different countries while staff actively collaborate with academic institutions overseas to further enhance their teaching and research. The University has an increasingly thriving campus in Cyprus delivering its programmes and original research within a university environment. Whilst international in reach and outlook, the University proudly retains its roots in the city of Preston and the region. This makes it the largest university in Lancashire and the third largest in the North West. It has a staff and student community approaching 38,000. The University is also one of the largest employers in Preston. Its reputation as a regional economic powerhouse has been boosted through its strong track record in supporting graduate business start-ups. We are the leading UK university for start-up businesses that it incubates*, still active after three years of trading. Looking forward, the University will continue to be a large, financially stable University, powered by highly skilled and motivated staff; the first fruits of its £200 million Campus Masterplan investment in Preston will transform the University as a place to learn, work and do business. It will enhance its standing as an institution with a world-class academic reputation firmly rooted in modern-day relevance. It is a future which focuses on the provision of innovative thinking - for the real-world. In addition to the main campus in Preston, the University has satellite campuses in Burnley and at Westlakes in West Cumbria. UCLan Burnley was established in 2010 to serve the higher education needs of Pennine Lancashire. The University has a longstanding commitment to develop higher education in East Lancashire and to the economic, social and cultural development of the region. The Burnley Campus provides the infrastructure to help the sub-region benefit from our courses, our research and our knowledge transfer to narrow the skills gap and support graduate retention.
THE ESTATE AND CAMPUS MASTERPLAN The UCLan core campus in the University’s home city of Preston covers a significant swathe of the city - an area of approximately 15 hectares with 63 buildings totalling 138,000 sqm of space . UCLan has also invested significantly in recent years in its Burnley campus to serve Pennine Lancashire. It also has campuses in at Westlakes in Cumbria and an international base in Cyprus.
Collectively the campus estate creates an eclectic and highly visible built environment to support UCLan’s Mission and Strategic Aims.
The University has commenced an exciting £200 million transformation plan (Masterplan) for the Preston Campus, with a vision to create a unified, sustainable and welcoming campus which will enchance the experience for all those visiting the University. The investment principles are to deliver transformational change: • Creating a shared public realm strengthening connections to the city of Preston. • Creating a physical ‘heart’ for the University - a major new public square. • Optimising the student experience through improved learning and support spaces. • Creating specialist spaces to support areas of growth critical to the local economy - engineering, medicine and health. • Equipped to be at the heart of economic, social and cultural development and growth - responding to Preston and Lancashire’s Strategic Ambitions. • Committed to sustainability, both environmentally and financially. Major projects emanating from the Masterplan include the £35m Engineering Innovation Centre, the £60m Student Centre and New Square, the Oasis Faith and Spirituality Centre as well as significant investment into social spaces and public realm across the Preston campus. Further details can be found at uclanmasterplan.co.uk
With the completion of this phase of the Masterplan in 2020/2021 we are now seeking to drive forward plans for further development and investment in our estate into the next decade.
Economically the University is one of Preston city’s biggest assets. The University is one of the largest employers in Preston. It employs one in every three staff working in universities in Lancashire and one in every 14 HEI staff from across the region. Last year our students spent more than £220 million in the region. Despite being a university city and home to 135,000 people, over two-thirds of Preston is classed as rural. Situated in the heart of North West England, Preston forms a key part of Lancashire’s diverse offer. The city of Preston is a vibrant, cultural and friendly city with a very long history. It was given the status of a market town in 1179 and obtained city status in 2002, becoming England’s 50th city in the 50th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The city centre boasts the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, which was announced as one of 16 additional visual arts organisations across the UK to join Plus Tate, the contemporary visual arts network. The city’s historic Winckley Square Gardens have been officially reopened to the public
Campus life at UCLan is city-based but in less than an hour you can be on the Fylde Coast, walking in the stunning Lake District or the Forest of Manchester or Liverpool, or enjoying the best local food at one of the many farmers markets in the county. Preston also has many parks, including Avenham Park, which is a fine example of traditional Victorian parkland in the heart of the city. Beacon Fell Country Park is located just 10 miles outside Preston and offers a variety of trails as well as spectacular views of the nearby Forest of Bowland and Morecambe Bay. The city is also home to Preston North End Football Club. Bowland, sight-seeing in Lancaster, shopping in
home to a range of woodland and lakeside walks and includes a variety of hides to suit all visitors; its Visitor Village scooped awards for Design and Innovation and Tourism and Leisure in 2011. Located a short distance from the coastline, the Lake District and larger cities of Manchester and Liverpool, both of which have international airports, Preston is also one of the most networked cities in the country, easy to get to from across the UK - by road, rail and air. The city is well served by the M6 motorway both north (J32) and south (J31), and the University is half a mile from Preston railway station - a major hub on the West Coast Mainline and just under an hour away from Manchester Airport.
Brockholes is an award-winning local nature reserve which is
following a £1.2 million restoration backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Director of Facilities and Capital Projects
School/Service:
Estates Services
Grade:
Management / Locally Determined Contract
Responsible to: Responsible for:
Chief Operating Officer
Estates Services
Job Purpose:
Leadership of Estates and Capital Projects functions ensuring they work effectively and deliver to the University’s strategic objectives and overall financial viability.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
1. To be the custodian of the University estate, ensuring its condition and presentation is maximised for positive effect for all stakeholders.
2. To ensure the successful delivery large capital programmes from inception to completion; ensuring they remain aligned to corporate and operational plans, are delivered within budget and to a high standard of quality.
3. Development and implementation of the University Estates Strategy.
4. Develop, lead and implement a model of space and resource management that maximises efficiency and user experience.
5. Ensuring compliance with all appropriate regulatory frameworks.
6. Keep abreast of changes in legislation relating to health and safety, building regulations and other external factors that may impact upon the programme.
7. Leading and directing the operational Estates function, to ensure the provision of a professional and cost effective service which underpins the University’s core business and which is founded on best commercial practice.
8. Developing and implementing robust plans for all the trading accounts and delivering the specified level of contribution to the University, including bringing in external business where appropriate.
9. Monitoring developments in ‘best practice’ within the commercial and HE sectors and ensuring that these are incorporated, where appropriate, into University Facilities systems.
10. Overall responsibility for health and safety of the University’s estate generally, chairing the Univer- sity’s Safety, Health and Environment Committee, as well as responsibility for the health and safety of Facilities and Capital Projects staff and the immediate implementation of safe working practices in line with changes implemented.
11. Any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to and commensurate with the level of responsi- bility of the role, as determined by the COO.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Attributes Work Experience
Essential
Desirable
Proven track record in the management of the delivery of large and complex capital projects from inception to completion. Demonstrable experience of managing multiple projects throughout the development life cycle in a changing and demanding environment. Sound understanding of the legal, procurement and financial aspects of major property projects. Significant senior management experience within a Facilities Environment sensitive to commercial practices.
Implementation of projects that have led to increased organisational effectiveness or that have significantly contributed to the achievement of strategic objectives. Experience in working to ensure projects contribute towards sustainability goals. Track record of success within a commercial organisation and/or higher education institution.
Experienced change manager with a demonstrable track record of success. Must be educated to Degree level
Education / Qualifications
Management Qualification eg. MBA Possess equivalent relevant professional qualification/or be a member of a professional body, e.g. BIFM. Recognised Project Management qualification. Member of RICS / CIOB or other post- graduate construction related qualification. Sound knowledge of statutory and contract legislation. Entrepreneurial and commercial approach to delivering objectives. Understanding of the context and current issues affecting the HE sector.
Skills / Abilities
Leadership experience in the development and implementation of large scale, complex projects. Demonstrable leadership and management skills, able to manage internal staff and external consultants, contractors and suppliers. Strong interpersonal skills and a track record in motivating and developing staff. Ability to communicate at a strategic level to positively influence senior internal and external stakeholders. Must be able to demonstrate: - Successful team leadership/motivation of others - Vision and strategic thinking. - Communication skills. - Negotiation skills. Enthusiastic attitude and willingness to deliver a customer focused service. Self-motivated and able to work under pressure. Maintain expert market knowledge through analysis and benchmarking. Understanding of and commitment to the mission of the University.
Have managed the specification and implementation of IT based Facilities Management solutions.
Other
WORKING AT UCLan UCLan is an organisation that is committed to delivering a welcoming and inclusive culture which promotes equality and values diversity, a commitment reflected in the shared values of those who work and study with us. Our vision is to strengthen our culture of equality, diversity and inclusion for our diverse University community, where everyone can feel safe, valued and supported. We proactively work to promote and embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do; through a range of equality awards, accreditations, networks and equality leads. We strive to ensure that our work is central to all policy development, decisions and practice, and that employment, study and other services are genuinely accessible to everyone. At UCLan we believe in allowing everyone an opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our framework of equali- ty, diversity, dignity, respect and fairness extends to all of our community; staff, students, partners, visitors and the wider community and is strongly aligned to the University’s overarching strategy of proudly ‘trans- forming lives’. We recognise that continuing to draw on the widest and most diverse range of talent for our students and staff is essential to the continuing success of the University. UCLan values the unique contribution of all staff, students and the community. We strive to create a trans-inclusive culture, workplace and learning environment; free from discrimination, harassment or victi- misation where all trans people are treated with dignity and respect in the gender with which they identify.
As well as offering a welcoming, inclusive and aspirational environment, UCLan offers a comprehensive benefits package to staff.
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
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