Director of Capital Projects CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
Executive Summary Welcome to the University of Oxford. We aim to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Oxford’s researchers engage with academic, commercial and cultural partners across the world to stimulate high-quality research and enable innovation through a broad range of social, policy and economic impacts. We believe our strengths lie both in empowering individuals and teams to address fundamental questions of global significance, while providing all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to develop and do their best work. Recognising that diversity is our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, we aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution. While we have long traditions of scholarship, we are also forward looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe’s most entrepreneurial universities and we rank first in the UK for university spin outs, and in recent years we have spun out 15-20 new companies every year. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise. The University’s buildings and estate are not only necessary for our academic work; they also contribute to Oxford’s reputation as a city of learning, heritage and culture. They form a vital part of the rich architecture of the city and provide a beautiful environment for visitors and Oxford residents, as well as University staff and students. The Director of Capital Projects leads the delivery of an extraordinary capital programme of circa £160m annually (total programme is up to £1.0 billion) including many large-scale and high-profile projects emanating from the University’s estate strategy. As a leader of the Capital Projects function, you will thrive in guiding both in-house teams and external delivery partners, fostering a positive, collaborative and high-performance culture. Join us and you will find a unique, democratic and international community, a great range of staff benefits and access to a vibrant array of cultural activities in the beautiful city of Oxford.
Trevor Payne Director of Estates
About the University of Oxford
1 st
26,000 23,000 68% 46% 160
Ranked first in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2017 to 2024. A record eight consecutive years.
Students come to Oxford from more than 160 countries and territories (as of 1 December 2022).
Of our total student body is made of International students - around 12,075 students.
Of UK students admitted in 2022 were from the UK school state sector, making the majority of undergraduate students.
People applied to Oxford in 2022 with only 3,300 places available. Entry to undergraduate courses at Oxford continues to be competitive.
There are more than 26,000 students at Oxford, including 12,470 undergraduates and 13,920 postgraduates.
Environmental Sustainability Strategy Oxford University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy was approved by Council on 15 March 2021. The strategy sets two ambitious targets: to achieve net zero carbon and to achieve biodiversity net gain, both by 2035
The strategy is underpinned by the following four ‘enablers’: • Governance - Embedding environmental sustainability in the University’s governance and decision-making; - The Environmental Sustainability Subcommittee, established in 2021 as a subcommittee of the Planning and Resource Allocation Committee (PRAC), is chaired by Dr David Prout, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Resources) and has representatives from across the University and student body. The Subcommittee holds overall responsibility for environmental sustainability at the University. • Reporting - Developing a system of annual reporting of carbon emissions and biodiversity impact within the first twelve months, which will be published in the University of Oxford’s Annual Review and financial accounts; • Funding - Establishing the Oxford Sustainability Fund, making £200 million available for sustainability initiatives over the next 15 years, to finance the programme of action required to reach net zero carbon and biodiversity net gain by 2035; • Offsetting - Establishing a policy to guide our use of carbon offsetting and biodiversity offsetting.
The strategy focuses on these ten priority areas: • Research - Increase research and engagement in environmental sustainability.
• Curriculum - Offer all students the opportunity to study environmental sustainability, either within or outside the examined curriculum. • Carbon emissions from University buildings - Reduce carbon emissions related to our energy consumption to a minimal level. • Biodiversity - Identify and address the University’s principal biodiversity impacts through its operations and supply chain, and enhance biodiversity on the University’s estate. • Sustainable food - Reduce the carbon emissions and biodiversity impact of our food. • Sustainable resource use - Reduce the environmental impacts of our consumption and supply chain. • International travel - Reduce aviation emissions from University staff and student travel and offset the balance of emissions. • Local travel - Limit transport emissions by reducing the need to travel, encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport and managing the demand to travel by car. • Investments - Ensure that the University, as an investor, is part of the solution to climate change and biodiversity loss. • Learning from the pandemic - Build on the experience of the pandemic and the potential shift to more environmentally sustainable working practices.
Visit our Environmental Sustainability Strategy Q&A page for responses to some of the key questions regarding the strategy.
Our Estate The University’s estate, comprising buildings for research, teaching, learning, and administration, has been growing at around 5% a year for the last 15 years. Today there are around 260 buildings across 13 sites in and around Oxford. We aim to provide our staff and students with state-of-the-art facilities within an inspiring and historic setting, to improve opportunities for interdisciplinary working, and to minimise our environmental impact. We invest in the estate to enable new or improved ways of working; this includes the decommissioning and transformation of inappropriate spaces. How we manage and develop the estate is underpinned by our environmental policies. To support this investment, we have on average of 80 building and refurbishment projects ongoing at any one time, with an annual expenditure in excess of £100m. This cost is met through a combination of University funds, Government grants and initiatives, and donations.
Click on the pack to view our ambitious Estate Strategy.
University of Oxford Estate Strategy The University’s Estate Strategy 2024–2029 sets out the guiding principles that will enable us to deliver the excellent facilities that will support our academic mission.
Our estate in numbers Over 270 buildings that we use for teaching, research,
The University’s estate is large, diverse, and complex, and it has been growing steadily for many years. We are proud of the many excellent buildings we have created, but we need to balance investment in new facilities with the ongoing maintenance of our existing estate to create far more pleasant and comfortable environments for work and study, supporting the University’s core academic mission of research, education, public outreach and innovation. This means delivering an estate that meets the needs of staff and students and meets modern standards in terms of accessibility and safety, provides a stimulating learning environment, well suited to its purpose and is sustainable over the long term in both financial and environmental terms. We must also ensure we provide the resources needed to maintain this high standard. Our Estate Strategy aims to put us in a position to do all this. It does not exist in isolation; it is one of the enabling elements that will underpin delivery of our overarching strategic aims and the University’s mission: the advancement of learning by teaching and research and its dissemination by every means. The strategy was produced in close collaboration with colleagues all over the collegiate University, and by reflecting on what we have been told through a wide range of engagement and consultation activities. While quality and functional suitability are key priorities, so is the flexibility to adapt as our needs change in future so that the estate continues to support the University’s core mission. It will be delivered through a set of linked guiding principles.
administration, sports, libraries, museums, and ceremonial events. 200 properties that we manage commercially, including office space, warehouses, and property. The University estate contains some of Oxford’s oldest and finest buildings. The oldest dates from 1326 , and 20% of our buildings are listed, including the Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian
Key principles At the heart of the strategy are guiding principles that will inform the long-term management of the estate during this period. They are: z The purpose of the estate is to support the University’s core academic mission of research and education, including public outreach and innovation . z The functional estate must be f i t for purpose and adaptable to meet existing and developing academic priorities . z The University must conserve its historic built and natural environment , ensuring appropriate and careful use of listed buildings and green spaces. z The University estate must meet threshold standards (quality, legal compliance, and environmental sustainability). z The University estate must be affordable and financially sustainable .
Theatre and Old Bodleian Library. Green spaces including 70 acres of green parkland in central Oxford
1000 acres of ancient semi-natural forest at
Wytham Woods Agricultural land around the city,
including over 100 acres at Park Farm on the banks of the Cherwell which can be used for academic research.
University of Oxford Estate Strategy
A virtual tour of the estate can be viewed here.
More information about our major projects can be viewed here .
View our Estates Team Structure here .
The Role
Responsibilities •
Job title
Director of Capital Projects
Department
Estates Services : Operations team The Malthouse, Tidmarsh Lane, Oxford, OX1 1NQ
• As a member of the department’s senior management team, contribute to strategy and effectively manage work and resources • Lead and manage the team in dealing with employee matters, working in conjunction with the Business Manager • Set an example to other staff members and hold the team to account when necessary • Be prepared to be held to account for the performance of the team as necessary • Contribute to and participate in the development and promotion of the ‘One Estates Services vision’, aims and strategic objectives • Provide the Director of Estates and the Senior Management Team (SMT) with practical advice and information on capital projects issues and any associated risks which flow from the consideration of strategic options • Provide advice and support to Estates Services’ governance structures, as required, including Building and Estates Sub-committee (BESC), Planning and Resource Allocation Committee (PRAC) etc. Provide and brief on policies, procedures and operational papers for University committees advising on Estates operations • Establish a clear process to benchmark performance of capital projects so that a basis is developed for measuring identified improvements in performance and associated productivity • Lead, manage and influence people through motivation, agreeing training and development and effective communication • Ensure that all Legislative requirements placed upon the University in the area of responsibility are adhered to and recorded • Interact and negotiate with staff and academics at all levels within the University as well as with external authorities, strategic partners, organisations, consultants, suppliers and contractors • Deliver all projects and services in line with the Estates Services guidance, standards and philosophy documents. • Develop and support the University construction frameworks for the delivery of capital projects.
Develop, implement and manage a Programme Management Office (PMO) and ensure that appropriate governance and assurance is in place • Develop and implement the strategic management and coordination of major programmes and project activities across the University estate • Lead the projects team to ensure that it provides high quality design and specification, value for money and a responsive service within agreed programmes and budgets, using effective and efficient programme and project management processes • Effective management of complex funding, legal agreements, designs, specifications, programmes, statutory obligations, service level agreements and construction contracts • Translate complex technical language into communications for stakeholders and influence critical institutional decisions on procurement, design, delivery and risk. Produce regular progress dashboards in a clear and concise format. • Determine, agree and deliver high quality and complex service standards for internal and external customers through collaboration and agreement • Take a strategic approach to exploring needs and adapting the service as appropriate • Be accountable for programming and allocating resources for all capital projects • Forecast future workload to ensure sufficient staff resources are allocated to design and manage projects • Provide professional guidance and support to the Academic Divisions in connection with the development of capital projects in support of academic strategic plans • Ensure all projects, or parts of projects, commence with adequate funding in place for the scope of work required • Closely monitor the progress of all capital projects to ensure that appropriate action can be instigated should any adverse deviation to programme or cost arise • Lead, motivate and develop a team of professional staff
Location
Hours Full Time Contract type Permanent Reporting to
Director of Estates
The Director of Capital Projects is a member of the Estates Services Senior Management Team and will play an active role in the determination and delivery of strategy and associated business plans. The post holder is responsible for the day to day leadership and management of the Capital Projects team including the Head of Capital Projects, Programme Managers and external consultants ensuring high performance and confident & consistent delivery of services. The post holder will provide the leadership and management for the capital programme of circa £160m annually (total programme is up to £1.0 billion) including many large scale and high profile projects emanating from the University’s estate strategy across the estate. This role also supports the Director of Estates and contributes to the senior management team (SMT) and the corporate management of the Department. The Estates Services Capital Projects Team needs to be responsive, agile and be able to deliver projects on time and on budget. The post holder will have the responsibility and authority with regard to implementing project procedures, liaising closely with the Director of Estates, Finance, the Director of Asset & Space Management and the Director of Operations. The post holder will manage the projects team providing guidance on strategy, team objectives, governance and resource management. This is a strategic role that will develop complex processes and manage complex systems and relationships.
Person Specification
Selection criteria: • Educated to degree level or equivalent with a professional qualification related to the construction industry and membership of a relevant professional body • Significant, relevant post-qualification experience • Proven experience of developing, working within and managing a PMO • Proven experience of management and delivery of major capital building projects to a comparable scale (£50-£169m PA) in a live, operational, high footfall and diverse estate portfolio • Understanding and experience of working with JV (joint venture) partners on the realisation of major capital developments • Excellent presentation skills, both oral and written format • Experience of effectively managing large capital budgets • Expertise in managing a multi-disciplinary professional workforce and evaluating the performance of people • Significant experience of the implications of managing a large site with diverse activities and the inter-relationships which will exist and be factored into the planning process for major projects • Substantial experience of direct customer interface and continued relationship management • Proven ability to analyse and interpret complex data to drive a decision • In-depth knowledge and understanding of health, safety and risk within an estates’ environment • Working knowledge of the formal planning process associated with site development and building construction • Ability to effectively communicate complex information to influence a range of audiences • Proven ability to lead, communicate effectively with and motivate teams of professional staff • Ability to influence, negotiate and command respect • Ability to make judgements on significant new problems where precedent may not apply. • Ensure that multiple projects interface correctly and that overall construction logistics are managed. • Able to recognise obstacles so that teams can deliver. • Able to demonstrate leadership. • Support estates digital transformation. • The University places a very heavy emphasis on Safety and a strong focus on multi-stakeholder engagement. Desirable selection criteria • A formal qualification in project or programme management • Experience of working in the HE Sector • Knowledge and understanding of the impact of change and best practice in change management
How to Apply
The University of Oxford has engaged the services of the Management Recruitment Group, to whom applications should be sent.
To apply, please submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) along with a short covering letter that sets out your interest in the role and highlights any pertinent projects experience/expertise that you would bring to the position. For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact:
Ben Duffill ben.duffill@mrgglobal.com
Nicholas Coppard Nicholas.coppard@mrgglobal.com
Please email your application to nicholas.coppard@mrgglobal.com
Recruitment Programme Closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 12th January 2025 MRG preliminary meetings are scheduled for w/c 20th January Informal meetings/campus tours at the University of Oxford are scheduled for w/c 3rd February Final stage panel interviews are scheduled for w/c 10th February
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