HEAD OF PROJECTS
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
01 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY UAL is a global leader in creativity, innovation, and invention across the knowledge economy. Drawing together six Colleges with international reputations in art, design, fashion, communication and performing arts, UAL is a fundamental part of the UK’s creative ecology. Ranked second in the world for Art and Design for the 7th consecutive year, reaffirming its status as a creative powerhouse. Now is an exciting time to be joining UAL to take up this role. Following the creation of the UAL Strategy 2022- 2032, a 10-year Estates Strategy has been developed, which will see the delivery of new campuses for London College of Fashion (completed in 2024) and London College of Communication (to be completed in 2027) as well as a period of estate transformation across our existing portfolio that ensures the UAL estate is fit for purpose, sustainable and provides world- class facilities and experience to our students, staff and partners. Reporting to and deputising for the Associate Director Estate Development, the Head of Projects will lead a multi- disciplinary Projects team spanning capital project, estate infrastructure, decarbonisation and long-term maintenance programme delivery. You will work collaboratively with the Space Management team, ensuring the integrated planning and delivery of project and space management initiatives across the estate. This is a fantastic career opportunity to lead the delivery of estates capital projects for a world-renowned university and arts organisation with an extraordinary London estate portfolio.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 02 ABOUT UAL 03 UAL STRATEGY 2022 – 2032 04 UAL ESTATES STRATEGY
05 JOB
DESCRIPTION
06 PERSON
SPECIFICATION
07 WORKING AT UAL 08 APPLICATION PROCESS
02 ABOUT UAL University of the Arts London generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842 our Colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. Our Estate spans across London and includes a diverse range of world renowned colleges that reflect the university’s commitment to creativity, innovation, and sustainability: • Camberwell College of Arts • Central Saint Martins • Chelsea College of Arts • London College of Communication, • London College of Fashion • Wimbledon College of Arts EVERYONE’S IDENTITY MATTERS With a vibrant, multicultural community, UAL is home to a diverse body of almost 23,000 students from 130 countries. We are proud of our international student and staff community and we are committed to ensuring that the University offers an inclusive and supportive environment that nurtures the next generation of creative talent.
03 UAL STRATEGY 2022 - 2032 THE WORLD NEEDS CREATIVITY Since our last strategy, the world has changed. To deliver our social purpose and to meet the needs and expectations of our staff and students, we need to change, too. We believe the world needs creativity. This strategy shows how we will bring creativity to the world. Three guiding policies We identified the challenges and opportunities that are most important to UAL and its future. The guiding policies are our response to each of these issues in turn. GUIDING POLICY 1 To give our students the education they need to flourish in a changing world. GUIDING POLICY 2 To bring a high-quality creative education to more students than ever before. GUIDING POLICY 3 To change the world through our creative endeavour. Further information on the UAL Strategy 2022 – 2032 is available for you to view at: https://www.arts.ac.uk/about-ual/strategy- and-governance/strategy
04 UAL ESTATE STRATEGY This Estates Strategy is created for the period from 2022 to 2032, coincidental to and supporting of the UAL Strategy launched by the President and Vice Chancellor and his Executive Board in March 2022. It sits alongside other enabling strategies for finance, people and digital. Within this 10 year period we aim to complete the delivery of two major developments for LCF (completed 2024) and LCC/ University Services (2027) thus rehousing circa 50% of the UAL population over the period. We will be disposing of surplus properties to raise the capital receipts to contribute to the funding of these developments. We plan to further rationalise the estate to replace buildings that are restrictive in accessibility and efficiency. We will continue to mould the University’s residential estate to provide for the needs of our students. We will look to increase the number of beds offered near to our new campus locations.
The significant capital development opportunities identified in that strategy and consequential disposal opportunities have progressed largely on proposed timelines. Progress in our sustainability credentials, improvements in the condition of the estate, in our facilities management and our retail, catering and halls services have improved steadily over this period. This has created a robust platform from which students and staff can live and work in safe environments with effective support structures in place and had the capability of handling the significant challenges of the pandemic. This strategy continues the work of rationalising the estate and enhancing or creating places to live, learn and work that will meet pedagogical requirements as they change, enabling new and existing businesses to evolve and flourish in high quality environments.
In a digital age we understand that estates environments must be adaptive, flexible and attractive for the physical contact elements of university life whether it is places to live, for learning/teaching, research, knowledge exchange, management or administration. We are committed to engendering inclusivity in all our operations and in the design of our physical estate. We see fair terms and conditions of contracted staff and exceeding University BAME staffing targets as a minimum requirement. Though our EDI initiatives and Inclusive Design standards we aim to be at the forefront of designing and operating a University estate fit for all whilst also engendering a strong social purpose.
Whilst the backlog of maintenance legacies should reduce as we dispose of our obsolete buildings, we must maintain the existing LCC estate to avoid infrastructure failures up to 2027. We will address this need with a separate, targeted campaign of improvements. During the period of this Strategy, we will also need to consider the long term approach to the Chelsea campus. Our Facilities services will be adapted to suit the changing estate and the way in which we ensure security and effective back of house services. Finally, but very importantly, we must maintain our focus on reducing the absolute carbon footprint, despite likely challenges with longer operational daytime usage to maintain our trajectory to hit our target of net zero scope 1 + 2 emissions by 2030. The timing of this new strategy comes at an important and opportunistic time in the rationalisation and development of the estate that was initiated and developed in the previous 10 year strategy.
05 JOB JOB TITLE: ACCOUNTABLE TO: DEPARTMENT/TEAM: CONTRACT LENGTH: TERM: SALARY: LOCATION: GRADE:
DESCRIPTION
Head of Projects Associate Director Estate Development Estates/Estate Development Permanent 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year £85,000 plus benefits CSM Associate Director/Deputy Service Heads
• Ensure that statutory and legal client duties are discharged, including compliance with CDM Regulations, planning law, Building Regulations, and health and safety requirements. • Lead financial management across the Projects section, overseeing budget planning, financial control, value engineering, and forecasting activities, and embedding sustainability principles into procurement and delivery decisions. • Lead communication and reporting processes to internal and external stakeholders, producing regular updates for senior management, committees, and governance boards. • Oversee the appointment, performance management, and delivery assurance of external consultants, contractors, and supply chain partners. • Champion continuous improvement in project management practice, governance frameworks, reporting systems, and sustainability outcomes across all projects. • Ensure that design quality, functionality, sustainability, whole-life cost, and operational requirements are fully considered and embedded throughout projects. • Manage stakeholder engagement activities across departments, faculties, and professional services to ensure effective consultation, communication, and satisfaction.
• Support lessons learned and post-occupancy evaluation processes, embedding continuous improvement and sustainability best practices into future project delivery. • Represent the Estates Development function professionally at internal and external meetings, committees, and events, acting as a senior point of leadership within the Division. MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES • Staff Leadership: Full line management responsibility for a team of Project Managers and Senior Project Managers, including recruitment, performance management, development, and fostering a high- performance culture. • Resource and Operational Management: Plan and prioritise resource allocation across the Projects section to ensure programme objectives and project milestones are achieved. • Financial Oversight: Oversee project budget management, ensuring financial control and value-for-money delivery across all assigned projects and programmes. • Decision-Making and Deputisation: Exercise delegated authority on operational, financial, and staffing matters as required, deputising for the Associate Director of Estate Development.
space efficiency, operational functionality, and user experience. • Lead programme-level planning, coordination, and delivery of capital, revenue, and maintenance projects, aligning outputs with the University’s strategic and operational priorities. • Oversee the full project lifecycle, ensuring robust governance, compliance with procedures, and effective risk and issue management, and the application of UAL’s design, construction, technical, and sustainability standards throughout. • Deputise for the Associate Director Estate Development, attending governance boards, contributing to strategic planning, and providing programme-level oversight. Represent the Estate Development function at relevant governance boards, committees, and strategic groups when deputising for the Associate Director Estate Development. • Plan and allocate project management resources effectively across a portfolio of complex projects, working closely with Principal Project Manager LTM where required. • Develop and maintain project programmes, risk registers, master plans, and resource forecasts across the projects portfolio, providing the Project Support team with information as required.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE To lead the Projects section within the Estate Development team, ensuring the successful delivery of capital, revenue, long-term maintenance, and fabric projects across the estate. The role provides strategic oversight, leadership, and full line management of the Project Managers and Senior Project Managers, supporting the University’s strategic aims and estates objectives. The Head of Projects reports to and deputises for the Associate Director Estate Development and works collaboratively with Space Management and Project Support functions, ensuring the integrated planning and delivery of project and space management initiatives across the estate. The role promotes a culture of excellence, sustainability, and inclusion within the Estates team and ensures the University’s statutory duties and client responsibilities are discharged across all project activities while embedding environmental sustainability and climate action objectives into project outputs. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Provide leadership, management, and professional guidance to the team of Project Managers and Senior Project Managers to ensure the successful delivery of all assigned projects, ensuring close collaboration with the Head of Space Management to optimise
• Undertake continuous personal and professional development, and to support it for any staff you manage through effective use of the Planning and Review Conversations (PRC) scheme and staff development opportunities. • Make full use of all information and communication technologies to meet the requirements of the role and to promote organisational effectiveness. • Conduct all financial matters associated with the role in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures, as laid down in the Financial Regulations. • Contribute to the University’s Climate Action Plan and Social Purpose Strategy which sets out our principles, commitments and goals towards climate justice and our socio- environmental purpose. ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR SENIOR APPOINTMENTS • You may be required to work such additional/ different hours as may from time to time be necessary for the proper and efficient discharge of duties which may include evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. • You may be required to regularly travel to other sites and internationally as necessary.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Managers and other staff, and external partners, suppliers etc; with whom regular contact is required. Regular contact is required with the following: Internal Stakeholders • Estates Team. • Finance and Procurement Business Partners. • Senior Management, Colleges, Institutions and the like. • Business Support Unit. External Stakeholders • Consultants and Contractors. • Statutory Authorities (e.g., Planning, Building Control, Utilities). • Legal and Insurance Representatives. • LLDC and other landlords. GENERAL DUTIES These duties below are in addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above: • Demonstrate the ability to produce clear, insightful, and timely reports that accurately communicate project status, risks, and recommended management actions. • Perform duties and tasks consistent within the scope and grade of your role as reasonably may be expected and assigned to you from anywhere within the university. • Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role. • Work in accordance with the University’s Staff Charter and Dignity at Work Policy and anti- racism plans, promoting equality diversity and inclusion in your work.
06 PERSON
SPECIFICATION
This section provides a list of up to 10 essential criteria (and up to 2 desirable criteria if specified) that you will need to demonstrate you meet as part of the recruitment process. EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS • Degree in project management, construction, surveying, architecture, engineering, or a related built environment discipline (or equivalent extensive professional experience), with full membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., RICS, CIOB, RIBA, APM). • Extensive experience (typically 7+ years) in leading and delivering complex capital and maintenance projects within large operational estates, with strong technical expertise in construction, sustainability, building services, and whole-life cost planning. • Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams, external consultants, and contractors across diverse project portfolios using recognised project management frameworks, procurement strategies, and standard contract forms (e.g. JCT, NEC). COMMUNICATION SKILLS • Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, adapting style and method to suit different audiences, and successfully negotiates and influences to manage stakeholders across complex organisations. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT • Demonstrates strong leadership by setting clear objectives, motivating teams, managing performance, and supporting professional development, while embedding equity, diversity, and sustainability principles. RESEARCH, TEACHING AND LEARNING OR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE • Contributes to advancing professional practice/research or scholarly activity in own area of specialism.
PLANNING AND MANAGING RESOURCES • Effectively plans, manages, and delivers large- scale projects and programmes, ensuring robust budget forecasting, value engineering, and financial control aligned to long-term strategic objectives. TEAMWORK • Builds and sustains effective teams and professional networks, promoting collaboration, inclusion, and knowledge- sharing across internal and external stakeholders. STUDENT EXPERIENCE OR CUSTOMER SERVICE • Makes a meaningful contribution to enhancing the student and customer experience by delivering well-designed, inclusive, and sustainable estate solutions in live operational environments. CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING • Applies strategic insight and creativity to solve complex technical, operational, or stakeholder-related challenges, delivering added value across the project lifecycle. DESIRABLE CRITERIA • Experience of delivering projects within higher education, healthcare, research, or other complex, live operational environments requiring phasing, continuity, and high stakeholder sensitivity. • Experience in supporting or shaping long- term estate strategies, masterplans, or maintenance programmes within a large organisation.
07 WORKING AT UAL Our staff have access to a range of benefits, which recognise and reward their contributions – including: GENEROUS ANNUAL LEAVE Employees at UAL enjoy a generous annual leave allowance on top of bank holidays. The FTE leave entitlement for this role will be 34 days per annum. FLEXIBLE WORKING UAL are committed to supporting our employees in achieving a healthy work life balance by offering flexible working arrangements that enables them to balance the needs of their work life with other priorities. LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME (LGPS) In this role you will have the opportunity to join the LGPS and UAL will make substantial contributions to your pension. Your contribution will be dependent on your pensionable pay. FREE PLACES ON UAL SHORT COURSES We offer UAL staff the opportunity to attend certain short courses free of charge if undersubscribed, subject to availability. Find out more about our range of short-courses. FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES We offer generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave packages, which are more favourable than statutory requirements after a qualifying period. INTEREST-FREE SEASON TICKET LOAN Interest-free loans are available to help staff buy an annual season ticket for their journey to and from work. This includes rail, London Underground, bus or other season tickets.
WELL-BEING Employees can benefit from corporate rates at a number of gyms and fitness centres across London. • If you use a computer at work you are eligible for a free eye test plus a discount on glasses via Specsavers. • Discounts on private healthcare insurance with Bupa Eduhealth Scheme or Universities and Colleges Personal Healthcare Scheme. • A Cycle to Work scheme can enable you to purchase a bike via salary sacrifice – saving on tax and paying for it in monthly instalments deducted from your pay. • A supportive sick pay scheme for those times when you’re ill and access to a specialist occupational health service. • Confidential Care is a counselling and advisory service available online or over the phone to all employees at UAL. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, covering any issues that may be affecting you. STAFF DEVELOPMENT We aim to do everything we can to support your personal and professional development and offer a range of courses and opportunities to nurture this, e.g. coaching and mentoring, part- funded further study.
08 APPLICATION PROCESS For a confidential discussion to learn more about the role and opportunity please contact UAL’s appointed recruitment partners at The Management Recruitment Group: Charley McCarthy 07355 093 390 charley.mccarthy@mrgglobal.com
Nick Coppard 07896 079 495 nick.coppard@mrgglobal.com
Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter and should be submitted via our website here . Closing date for applications is Sunday 7th September and interviews will be held on Thursday 2nd October.
We are committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments for all staff and students to work and learn – a university where we can be ourselves and reach our full potential. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and Staff Support Networks. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and caring responsibility. Disability Confident Employer University of the Arts London (UAL) is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, demonstrating our dedication to inclusive recruitment and workplace support. We ensure accessible hiring practices, offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria, and provide reasonable adjustments throughout employment. If you feel you meet these requirements, please reach out to Charley McCarthy for assistance.
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