Director of Estates, Facilities & Commercial Services CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
Dear Candidate Thank you for your interest in joining the University of Sussex as Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services. The distinctive ethos with which Sussex was established over 60 years ago still animates our work today. From the start, Sussex challenged convention and fostered critical, and at times dissenting, thinking. Sussex set out to disrupt traditional ways of creating and organising knowledge, and in doing so, developed a distinctively progressive identity which fostered a strong sense of community and purpose. Now in our seventh decade, our early emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinarity, intellectual rigour, and internationalism continues to define Sussex. Our success as a world-leading university is built on these practices and is underpinned by the institutional values that we strive to enact – collaboration, courage, inclusion, integrity, and kindness – and by our foundational commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech. The University has a beautiful and diverse campus estate located in Falmer, on the outskirts of Brighton & Hove. It is situated in rolling parkland in the South Downs National Park and has amongst its buildings a listed core heritage estate designed by Sir Basil Spence. Over the past two decades, Sussex has doubled in size in terms of activity, with the University accommodating this growth within its existing campus. The University has invested significantly across the campus, delivering new academic and student accommodation facilities, social space and upgrading critical infrastructure. The Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational management for the University’s estate and all associated facilities management and
commercial services which underpins the University’s aim to have a world-class physical environment to support the delivery of its academic ambitions, and exceptional student, staff and visitor experience. This is a critical role that will support the realisation of our new strategy ‘Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures’. We are seeking to appoint a candidate with extensive experience in estates and facilities leadership roles at a senior and strategic level and a strong commitment to, and knowledge of, addressing the challenges of environmental sustainability and climate adaptation. The successful candidate will have excellent portfolio-level leadership experience, as the role has a broad remit spanning masterplanning and capital development, property and space management, facilities management, environmental sustainability and commercial services (such as catering, hospitality, student accommodation and sport). I believe that the role of Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services at Sussex will be both intellectually stimulating and highly rewarding, and I look forward to the new Director joining me, the senior team, and the whole Sussex community in realising our ambitions for this very special University.
Contents About the University of Sussex The Sussex Estate Sustainability at Sussex The Role Person Specifications Working at the University of Sussex Brighton and the local area How to Apply
Professor Sasha Roseneil FAcSS PFHEA Vice-Chancellor and President
About the University of Sussex
The University of Sussex received its Royal Charter in 1961 and immediately set about offering an alternative to the traditional higher- education landscape. Now in our 64h year, we have established a global reputation. We are ranked 31st in the UK and joint 246th overall in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025, with 10 subjects listed within the UK top 20 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 and Development Studies ranked first in the world for the eighth consecutive year, reflecting the radically global orientation of our research and education. Given our strong institutional commitment to environmental sustainability, we are also very pleased to be recognised as the 8th most sustainable university in the UK and joint 26th in the world for sustainability in the QS World University Rankings 2025. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, more than 89% of our research was recognised as world leading or internationally excellent and we have recently been awarded Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
We particularly value our strong sense of campus community, as is demonstrated by our outstanding record for student retention, and we nurture our students to give them the best life chances beyond university. We also maintain fantastic connections with our alumni from more than 150 countries, who are proudly associated with the University and who frequently tell us how their time at Sussex fundamentally shaped their lives and careers, giving them the courage to stand up for their beliefs. Their continuing support enables us to provide bursaries and scholarships for a wide range of disadvantaged students, as well as networking and mentoring opportunities. Looking to the future, we aim to build on our strengths and remain committed to Sussex providing high-quality education, excellence in academic research, and fruitful engagement with our international partners and local communities.
The Sussex Estate
The University of Sussex is home to one of the most beautiful campus locations in Britain.
Situated in rolling parkland on the edge of the lively city of Brighton & Hove, the campus combines award-winning architecture with green open spaces. Designed by Sir Basil Spence, the buildings that make up the heart of the campus were given listed-building status in 1993. Falmer House is one of only two post-war educational buildings in the UK to be Grade 1 listed in recognition of its exceptional interest. Over the past two decades, Sussex has doubled in size in terms of activity, with the University accommodating this growth within its existing campus. The University has invested significantly across its estate, delivering new academic and student accommodation facilities, social and hospitality space and upgrading critical infrastructure for 5G connectivity. We are now entering a new phase of Masterplanning and crucial to this is to have in-depth knowledge of the current estate usage and condition. Our new Student Centre is fundamental to an ambitious transformation in how our students access friendly, consistent, expert, and personalised services across campus and digitally. We want to create a strong sense of belonging and community for all students, creating spaces to build relationships, be creative and share ideas. The campus is undergoing sustained investment and development to support Sussex’s academic mission with new teaching buildings, new student residences, refurbishment of several teaching buildings and the Library, and the reopening of the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts. At the heart of our programme of building and regeneration work is a sensitively thought-through plan to enhance the unique setting of our campus within the South Downs, whilst preserving the character of the distinct architecture.
Environmental Sustainability at Sussex
Our ambition is simple and clear – to be one of the most sustainable universities in the world.
From our aims to reach net zero by 2035 and to embed environmental sustainability across the curriculum and beyond, to our wide-ranging research, our commitment to sustainability permeates everything we do. We already have sector-leading performance in key issues of sustainability, such as our own renewable energy farm with 3,000 solar panels and being the first UK university to introduce an aerobic digester for food waste. We scored 100 per cent in three areas of the 2022/23 People & Planet University League Table. Building on this, we have recently published our ambitious and comprehensive sustainability strategy, setting out a roadmap for Sussex. What is remarkable about ‘Sustainable Sussex’ is its breadth. We are addressing all 17 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Our strategy is grounded upon consultation and collaboration at every level. It has been co-created with the University’s students, staff, partners and stakeholders. Our academics have also been doing tremendous work to protect and restore the environment. For example, Sussex biologists are involved in conservation projects across the globe, including joining a local initiative to protect and restore the Sussex coast’s kelp fields that have been depleted by trawling, and we have a new Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre, which received £20m from UK Research and Innovation. All these sustainability efforts, and more, have earned us praise and recognition. Sussex continues to be ranked within the top 50 in the world for impact, asessed against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023)
OUR KEY AIMS INCLUDE:
Reach net zero by 2035 – including both direct and indirect carbon emissions via decarbonised infrastructure and ethical procurement activity.
Embed sustainability into all aspects of student learning and experience.
Recycle 50 per cent of waste by 2025 – and reduce the waste produced per student by 10 per cent by 2025. Create the UK’s most biodiverse campus – setting aside up to half of the site for nature. Have more staff and students volunteering in their local community – including through a new charity partnership with Surfers Against Sewage.
The Role Job Title:
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Leadership and management of all Estates development including build, redevelopment, investment and optimization of all assets. • To be accountable for the provision of first-class ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ Facilities Management, including campus security, using a mixed portfolio of in-house and out- sourced arrangements. • Ensure that developments to the estate, and service provision are responsive to the changing needs of the University community and managed in a sustainable manner to achieve continual improvement in environmental performance. •Leadership and oversight of projects including acquisition, building, hard and soft FM service development, maintenance and commercial services development (including service procurement, contract letting and review) to support the delivery of the Sussex 2035 Strategy. • Leadership of key partnerships (e.g. FM and Catering) and relationships (e.g. local authority) to ensure the smooth operation of the estate’s portfolio. • Leadership and oversight of commercial suppliers and contracts ensuring high quality service provision at optimal cost within procurement, contract management and Value for Money policies/principles. • Ongoing review of all service provision in an agile way to respond to pressures and fit arrangements to meet needs and manage risk (i.e. reviewing in-house / out sourcing on rolling basis). • Development and implementation of the Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services Strategic Plan to deliver the objectives and to ensure complete synergy with other key streams (e.g. IT, HR, Student Experience), in support of the Sussex 2035 Strategy • Ensure that campus space is utilised efficiently, in light of changes in working practices and behaviours. • Management of the estates and facilities aspects of health and safety ensuring recommendations of the Health and Safety Committee are enacted. • Ensure the work of the team supports an exceptional experience for every student through partnership with the University of Sussex Students Union and the student body.
•Drive environmental sustainability and carbon management initiatives and policy provisions to achieve the University’s Net Zero Carbon ambition. Our estate will play a crucial role in this by implementing energy- efficient technologies and sustainable construction and maintenance practices, as well as seeking to embed sustainable practices across all University activities. •Understanding of the needs and requirements of the academic community which will entail close partnership working with them to ensure a high-quality research environment including the management and development of highly specialised research facilities. • Ensure the integration of the physical and digital estate, working closely with the Chief Information Officer and other Professional Service Directors. • Leadership of the Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services team including overseeing management and staff development, Customer Service Excellence (CSE) accreditation and the shaping of the operating model to be agile, responsive and commercially focused whilst ensuring alignment with the Sussex Values as outlined in the Sussex 2035 Strategy. • Active engagement as a Sussex Senior Leader, working collaboratively and constructively with other Professional Services divisions and the academic and student communities. •Membership and contribution to the University Leadership Forum and Professional Services Leadership Team and other committees and working groups as required, providing expert advice as it relates to the estate’s portfolio and the interplay between that and the University’s strategic aims. • The role holder will hold responsibility for maximising commercial income from the estate’s portfolio, including Sussex Sport and commercial spaces on campus (supermarket, car parking, conference facilities etc). • To undertake any other as reasonable duties and responsibilities requested by the Chief Operating Officer.
Director of Estates, Facilities & Commercial Services
Grade 10
Grade:
Professional Services Chief Operating Officer
School/Division: Responsible to:
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB The Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational management for the University’s estate and all associated Facilities Management Services which underpin the University’s aim to have a world-class physical environment to support the delivery of its academic ambitions. The Director will oversee all masterplanning and real estate development, property and space management, facilities management (hard and soft services), the management of commercial services (e.g. catering, student accommodation and sussex sports), ensuring environmental sustainability across the campus. This will require managing a mixed portfolio of in-house and out-sourced services, while at all times ensuring a high-quality service delivery at optimal cost. The Director will lead the full estates portfolio, working closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice- Chancellor (DVC), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to ensure alignment with the University strategy, and with the University’s financial priorities and objectives, which includes significant investment in the estate and infrastructure, with the needs of our students at its heart. The post-holder will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the planning and delivery of the estates- related elements of the capital programme, including significant developments to our campus such as the West Slope project. The Director will work closely to integrate the Estates Strategy with the Education & Students, Research and Innovation, People and IT portfolios. The Director reports to the COO but works collaboratively with all members of the University Executive and Professional Services Directors. As a member of the University Leadership Forum, the Director will make a significant impact on the long-term direction, strategy and objectives of the University to meet current and future business needs.
JOB CONTEXT • The post holder reports directly to the COO, but enjoys a high level of autonomy and responsibility to enable the post holder to manage their own work and that of their Division, to achieve the strategic and operational goals of the University, Professional Services, their Division and their personal objectives. The post holder is expected to work collaboratively with fellow Directors, academic leaders and other key stakeholders to deliver single team working that efficiently and effectively supports the achievement of those goals and objectives. • The Director of Estates is responsible for the development of a capital programme of investment to modernize and improve the campus so that we provide the best facilities for our students, researchers, and academic and professional services staff, as well as the local community. • The Director for Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services, will chair the Long- Term Maintenance (LTM) Project Board and has responsibility for the oversight and management of all Capital Expenditure as it relates to the Estates portfolio. • At the heart of our programme of building and regeneration work is the need for a sensitively thought-through plan to enhance the unique setting of our campus within the South Downs, whilst preserving the character of the distinct architecture. • The campus development programme includes the West Slope Project, delivering a new modern, affordable student accommodation, social and work spaces, plus will review the status of our academic and research buildings, and investment in sports and leisure facilities. DIMENSIONS • The Director has budgetary responsibility of c.£54m revenue, plus £63m of operational costs and a Capital plan of c.£31m+ (not including West Slope and subject to Capital review). In addition, the Director is responsible for the annual Long-Term Maintenance (LTM) programme of works with an annual spend of c.£7m.
• The role holder is responsible for ensuring the maintenance and development of the University Estate, which comprises a site area of 95 hectares, with 133 buildings (49 non- residential, 84 residential) with Gross Internal Area of 151,742sqm non-residential and 154,505sqm residential. • The Estates Division comprises the following departments and responsibilities: •Facilities Management and Contract Management of Sussex Estates Facilities (SEF) • Project Management • Commercial Services – Student Accommodation; Sussex Sport; Catering; Property Management • Plus, management responsibility for the University’s Sustainability team. • The Director is currently responsible for 5 direct reports ranging from Grade 6 to Grade 10 and a Staff headcount of c.80 FTEs and 250+ Contractors. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS The Director will communicate on a regular basis with: •Members of the University Executive, Professional Services’ Directors and members of the University’s Council and Senate. • Academic community • Students’ Union • Sussex Estates and Facilities (a joint venture currently between Mitie and the University of Sussex) • University Governance and Compliance and General Counsel team (GCGC) • University Finance • University Procurement • University Health & Safety • University’s appointed professionals including lawyers, architects and other advisers • Local Planning Authority Departments.
Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services
Executive Assistant to Director of Estates, Facilities & Commercial Services
Deputy Director of Estates, Facilities & Commercial Services
Head of Commercial Services
Head of Service Delivery
Head of Capital Projects
Person Specification SKILLS
• Procurement and construction contracts • Project delivery methods and process • Masterplanning, Space Planning and Space Management • Environmental Sustainability • Property procurement and leasing • Project budget developemnt and management • Property and Asset management (to include Condition Surveys) • UK HEI and research environment (desirable) EXPERIENCE • Senior experience of leading, facilities and commercial services in a complex environment • Senior experience of leading and managing multi-disciplinary internal and external teams of estate professionals • Experience of team leadership • High-level programme and project management experience, with project management qualification desirable. • Experience of working on environmental sustainability PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES • Committed, flexible team player • Presence, confidence and credibility
• Exceptional leadership skills • Ability to work strategically and engage in detail as needed, with a proven record of translating strategy into operational excellence • High degree of commercial acumen • Excellent management and leadership skills preferably with a suitable qualification (e.g. MBA / IoM accreditation) • Financial planning and management skills • Ability to operate successfully in a large scale organisation • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Excellent partnership and stakeholder management skills. • Strong negotiation and influencing skills • Understanding of environmental sustainability QUALIFICATIONS • Degree in a relevant construction and property related subject • Relevant construction and property related professional membership • Appropriate senior technical
qualifications (engineering/ architecture/FM management building)
KNOWLEDGE Excellent knowledge of the construction and property industry including: • Facilities Management and Site / Campus operations • Capital planning including development appraisal • Construction design
at a senior level within a large scale, complex organisation
• Service focused • Commitment to working in a values driven organisation. • Commitment to environmental sustainability
Working at Sussex There are a range of staff benefits at Sussex, including generous annual leave entitlement and pension schemes, access to world-class resources, discounted gym and sports memberships, interest-free season ticket loan and staff activities throughout the year.
CHILDCARE There is a nursery on campus for children aged three months to five years, operated by The Cooperative Childcare. It is open daily from 7.30am–6.30pm.
RETAIL There is a supermarket and post office, the Students’ Union shop, a pharmacy and a bank on campus. In term time, there is also a weekly outdoor market. SPORT Sports facilities include sports halls, fitness rooms, a dance studio, squash courts and outdoor pitches. There is an extensive drop- in group exercise and courses programme including yoga, dance, Pilates, trapeze, circuit training and aerobics. Sussex Sport holds an annual boundary walk and boundary run for staff and students around the Sussex campus. It also offers children’s
birthday and sports parties from age two upwards and a full programme of sports camps and activities in the school holidays for children aged five–16 years. SUSSEX CENTRE FOR LANGUAGE STUDIES The Sussex Centre for Language Studies provides a range of courses throughout the calendar year in English Language and Modern Languages that are open to staff as well as students. You can also use the Language Learning Centre to study over 50 world languages. CATERING AND CONFERENCES Sussex Food offers extensive catering facilities in Bramber House as well as cafés across
campus. There are also conference and hospitality services. You can also use the Students’ Union bars and shop. SUSSEX LECTURES All staff are welcome to attend professorial lectures by Sussex academics and other talks by visiting lecturers and speakers. ATTENBOROUGH CENTRE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS The Attenborough Centre is a state-of-the-art performance and display space that reopened in 2016 after extensive refurbishment. The Attenborough Centre has a growing programme of performances and events and is a Brighton Festival venue.
LIBRARY Library facilities are available to all
members of staff. The Library is open around the clock during term time. The Library’s special collections, now housed at The Keep, include the papers of Rudyard Kipling, the New Statesman Archive, Virginia Woolf’s Monks House Papers, many of Lord Richard Attenborough’s scripts and papers, and the Mass Observation Archive.
Brighton and the local area
THE UNIVERSITY’S LOCATION The University campus is located at Falmer, on the outskirts of Brighton & Hove, and is just 55 miles (90 km) from London. Frequent trains from central London take as little as 50 minutes to Brighton & Hove, with a quick nine- minute connection to Falmer to reach campus. London Gatwick airport is only 30 minutes from Brighton, and London Heathrow is just over an hour’s drive away. BRIGHTON AND THE WIDER REGION The city of Brighton & Hove has much to offer to both staff and students and provides a quality of life that is hard to match. With a fabulous variety of shops, restaurants and pubs, the city also has a range of good schools and a very tolerant, relaxed atmosphere. The South Downs National Park, historic sites such as the Royal Pavilion, and the beautiful South Coast are within easy reach of the campus, and there is also plenty on offer for nature and history lovers alike. Brighton has a truly diverse cultural scene, with a wealth of theatres, cinemas and galleries. From pre-West End premieres at the Theatre Royal to the variety of experimental fringe productions staged throughout the year, and the Brighton Festival every May, there is plenty on offer. Both Glyndebourne and Chichester, with their own distinctive cultural offerings, are easily accessible. The historic market town of Lewes is also close to campus, and many members of staff choose to live there because of its wide choice of housing and excellent schools.
How to Apply The University is being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy The Management Recruitment Group (MRG).
To arrange a confidential briefing discussion please contact:
Michael Hewlett michael.hewlett@mrgglobal.com 07972 579 938
Ben Duffill ben.duffill@mrgglobal.com 07976 125 010
To apply, please submit a CV along with a short supporting statement that sets out your interest in the role and highlights pertinent experience/expertise that you would bring to the position. Applications and enquires should be submitted to sally.brockway@mrgglobal.com
Closing date: Monday 11th November 2024 Informal Interviews: Wednesday 8th January 2025 Panel Interview: Wednesday 15th January 2025
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT The appointment will be subject to: • Confirmation of the right to work within the UK • Higher level qualifications • Satisfactory health clearance and satisfactory references. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY The University values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of society. It is committed to promoting equality and diversity, providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all. The University aims to ensure that job applicants and members of staff are treated solely on the basis of abilities and potential, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, trade union membership or non-membership, socioeconomic background or any other inappropriate distinction. In order to ensure the effectiveness of this policy, it is necessary to collect information from applicants on factors which relate to equal opportunities. The information provided will be handled in strictest confidence and will only be used for statistical monitoring purposes.
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