Your Career, Reimagined

Director of EstatesLeadership role

Thank you for your interest in Nottingham Trent University (NTU). I am delighted that you are considering applying for the post of Director of Estates at NTU — one of the UK’s most innovative higher education institutions.

As an important member of the University’s leadership team — and reporting directly to me — you will be joining a successful and ambitious university that continues to drive meaningful change around the world, and which has received a wide range of prestigious national awards for its dynamism and innovation.

In shaping our next strategy, we are reimagining what a university can be. We will be taking bold and distinctive steps to drive even greater excellence — and as Director of Estates, you will be a key player in facilitating our strategy. If you have the passion and creativity to contribute to the ongoing success of one of the UK’s most ambitious universities, and if you have the insights, experience and ambition to help take us forward, I am keen to hear from you.

Steve Denton, Chief Operating Officer and Registrar, Nottingham Trent University

Thank you for your interest in Nottingham Trent University.

Be part of something special

With campuses located across Nottinghamshire, this role will give you the opportunity to lead the strategic direction for our estates, and to enhance the student experience at one of the UK’s largest and most influential higher education institutions. As one of the most environmentally responsible universities in the world, our ‘Embracing Sustainability’ strategy and ‘Net Zero Carbon’ target have established a sustainability culture that is central to everything we do.

We are creating the university of the future at NTU, as summed up by Guardian University Guide editor, Judy Friedberg: “The University delivers overall academic excellence while paying close attention to the success of each individual student, no matter their background”. We are proud to be recognised as a university that opens its arms to all. A quarter of our students come from households with a combined income of £15,000 or less, and we were the first university to sign up to the Government’s social mobility pledge, demonstrating our commitment to improving the prospects of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The University Executive team is proudly supported by a University Shadow Executive Team (USET) made up of a cross section of colleagues representing disability, ethnic and racial diversity, binary and non-binary gender identities and sexual orientation. Collectively, the views of USET inform decisions and influence important strategic initiatives at NTU.

AUDE University Impact Initiative of the Year 2021

Commercial Development of the Year, East Midlands

Bricks Awards 2021

Rated 5 stars for Facilities, QS Stars

5

The key opportunities are:Driving the strategy

As a member of the University Leadership Team (ULT), you’ll make a significant contribution to the strategic direction of the University — and in particular, delivery of the ‘Empowering People’ pillar of our University, reimagined plan.

Championing sustainability

You’ll guide and support our work to align our activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reducing our impact by ensuring that a sustainable and environmentally responsible culture lies at the heart of everything we do.

Leading positive change

You’ll play an active role in developing diverse and inclusive teams to find solutions to challenges. By working together, we will realise our aspirations as a university and inspire others to do the same.

Delivering excellence

By leading and defining the strategy for our estates, you will play an integral role in enhancing NTU’s reputation as a leading university for teaching, research and innovation, whilst shaping the student experience across our distinct campuses.

Our campuses

Based across multiple distinct and characterful locations, our campuses and facilities are a key part of our success. That’s why we’re investing £250m across our sites over the next five years.

City campus At the City campus, you will find stunning Grade II listed buildings such as Waverley, Newton and Arkwright, nestled alongside impressive modern architecture complete with living walls and picturesque roof terraces.

Clifton campusWith beautiful open spaces and outstanding facilities, the Clifton campus is a world of its own. Here you will find some of the UK’s most impressive science and technology labs as well as fantastic teaching spaces and a vast array of indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

Brackenhurst campusLocated just outside the beautiful rural market town of Southwell, the Brackenhurst campus offers a fascinating juxtaposition of nature and science. Key facilities include a 500-acre outdoor classroom, climate controlled greenhouses and polytunnels, a veterinary nursing centre and multiple state-of-the-art laboratories.

ConfettiBased at the heart of Nottingham’s burgeoning arts scene at the Creative Quarter Campus, Confetti offers students access to the very best teaching, technology, studios and equipment that the creative sector has to offer.

MansfieldBased at Vision West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield, our £6.5m site opened in 2020 and provides a range of programmes to meet the needs of residents and employers in the area. Facilities include a state-of-the-art training suite for clinical practitioners, a sport science laboratory, lecture theatres and flexible study spaces.

Pavilion building, Clifton Campus

University Centre, Mansfield

Brackenhurst Hall

Digital Media Hub, Confetti

Arkwright building, City Campus

University strategy

University, reimagined was developed in partnership with our colleagues, students and stakeholders. It articulates our ambitions across six key themes — written from the perspective of 2025 and looking back on what we have achieved.

Creating Opportunity:

We have pursued personalisation of student experience above and beyond expectations. Every student has the potential to develop the knowledge, skills and resilience they seek to create meaning and purpose in their lives. Our global community of lifelong learners has access to flexible courses of equal quality to our celebrated campus provision. The University’s delivery of social mobility through parity of outcomes has bestowed international recognition.

Valuing Ideas:

We have defined, resourced, and promoted a compelling portfolio of world-class research and innovation. We have created new ways for collaborators to share in the spirit of creativity and curiosity that characterises our research, scholarship, and practice.

Enriching Society:

NTU is a widely acknowledged force for good in economic, social and cultural development. We collaborate with those who like us want to address the key challenges of our times and our places.

Embracing Sustainability:

NTU has curated an intergenerational conversation with our students, colleagues, and stakeholders; we are recognised to be the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible University in the UK.

Connecting Globally:

We have gained renown for our truly global perspective. We are not restricted by borders or boundaries and work together to deepen and share our insights and understanding of our world for the benefit of the planet and all its inhabitants.

Empowering People:

Distinctive and disruptive, we have empowered people to do the right thing. We have been bold in pursuing novel solutions and taking unfamiliar.

Department Structure Sustainability

Sustainability

Capital Development

Capital Development

Planning and Performance

Space Information Systems

Space Management

Property

Business Operations

Construction Services

Construction

Minor Works

Design Services

Engineering and Facilities

Engineering

Maintenance

Facilities

Estates Operations

Estates Structure:

Reporting to:

Chief Operating Officer and Registrar

Direct Reports/Reporting Functions:

• Associate Director of Estates (Capital Development)

• Associate Director of Estates (Engineering and Facilities)

• Head of Sustainability

• Construction Services Manager

• Head of Estate Planning & Performance

Role purpose:

To provide strategic leadership for the development, management and sustainability of the physical environment in support of delivery of the University’s Strategic Plan. To lead on the creation of environments that inspire teaching and learning, research and commercial engagement, and a compelling student and staff experience. As part of the University Leadership Team and Heads of Professional Services Team, take a leadership role in the broader leadership and development of Professional Services and the University.

Director of Estates Job Description

Associate Director of

Estates (Capital Development)

Construction Services Manager

Head of Estate Planning &

Performance

Director of Estates

Associate Director

of Estates (Engineering and

Facilities)

Head of Sustainability

Principal duties and responsibilities:

• Lead the formulation and implementation of a medium- to long-term approach to the development of the estate which supports the implementation of our strategic plan, and in particular our ‘Embracing Sustainability’ and digital ambitions.

• Work closely with the academy, student body, University Leadership Team and Board of Governors to develop a comprehensive long-term understanding of the requirements of the estate, including digital innovation and new ways of working.

• Working with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor / Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, lead on the design of innovative learning and teaching spaces to help support the student academic and wider experience, and to enhance the reputation of the University for teaching excellence.

• Working with the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, support the design and development of world-class research and innovation facilities.

• Working with the Pro Vice-Chancellor Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange, contribute to the commercial, social and cultural ambitions of the University through the creation and development of inspiring spaces which enable collaboration and commercialisation of knowledge.

• In support of our ‘Embracing Sustainability’ ambitions, ensure that the development of an environmentally sustainable university is at the heart of everything we do, by acting as an advocate internally and externally and promoting the adoption of innovative approaches.

• Provide expert professional advice on all matters relating to the efficient and effective management and development of the University’s estate and physical resources.

• Provide visible, clear and inspirational leadership to the internal and external interdisciplinary teams delivering the Estates services, with a focus on high-quality performance, continuous improvement, and an adherence to regulatory and statutory standards

• Oversight and management of the long-term Estates revenue and capital plans, ensuring tight and transparent fiscal management across Estates services.

• Take a commercially oriented approach to the proactive management of the University’s physical capital assets, including acquisition and disposal.

• Ensure high standards of governance through: compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, particularly around safety; effective risk management and rigorous and robust project management

• Manage the relationships with Local Authority Planners, statutory agencies and other third parties who can influence the environment in which the estate operates.

• Manage the relationships with the University’s supply chain providing services within the estate.

• Oversee liaison with the Association of University Director of Estates and other external bodies as appropriate.

Personal Attributes

• Knowledge of translating organisation strategy into estate development, refurbishment and maintenance long-term plans.

• In-depth knowledge of revenue and capital financial management.

• Up-to-date knowledge of sustainable development.

• Knowledge of the regulatory and statutory requirements.

• Understanding and translation of a wide range of stakeholder requirements into long-term estates plans.

• Delivering organisational goals as part of a senior leadership team.

• Understanding of managing risk within a complex estate’s environment.

• Communicating and influencing with a diverse group of stakeholders.

• Negotiating complex and financially significant contracts.

• Working with large data sets that ensure services and developments are delivered on time and to budget.

• Good IT knowledge and ability to use a variety of applications.

• Leadership of multifunctional teams within a large and complex organisation.

• Experience leading all or part of the development of a significant long-term estates plan that directly delivers against institutional strategic aims.

• Experience of leading a large or sizeable part of an estates function that successfully delivers against performance objectives in a complex environment across multiple sites (urban and rural).

• Successful track record of having initiated, developed and delivered large-scale and/or complex capital programmes — including new builds and refurbishments — in a complex estates portfolio.

• Successful delivery of a broad range of operational Estates services.

• Developing and using key data metrics to monitor the progress and success of delivery of key functional objectives.

• Successfully engaging with stakeholders to ensure that the physical estate is developed to meet immediate and long-term requirements.

• Chartered professional membership in a relevant discipline.

• Degree or equivalent experience.

Our city

From stunning country parks to bustling city streets, Nottingham is a city that’s bursting with character. As a thriving cultural hub in the East Midlands, it’s home to some of the best art galleries, music venues, museums and cinemas in the UK.

Nottingham boasts a £12.1 billion economy, with £1 billion currently being reinvested into the city’s travel and business infrastructure. It offers excellent transport links and close proximity to East Midlands airport, giving you easy access to countless destinations across the UK, Europe and beyond.

Home of HistoryFrom hand-carved caves to the legend of Robin Hood, Nottinghamshire has a rich and varied history, with many museums, stately homes and historical venues for you to explore.

Parks and open spacesOver 20% of Nottingham is devoted to public parks and gardens. Our castles, caves and cultural attractions unite the past and present, providing fascinating opportunities for all types of activities.

Sport and leisureWe’re a city of sporting legends – from the oldest professional football club in the world, to sporting giants like Carl Froch, Rebecca Adlington and Stuart Broad. For a taste of the action, visit the iconic Trent Bridge cricket ground, or the National Water Sports Centre.

A home from homeLiving expenses in Nottingham are around five to seven percent lower than the UK average, so you might find that your salary goes a little further here. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, property across the city stretches from airy loft conversions in the city’s historic Lace Market, to gothic Victorian mansions in the Park Estate.

“Nottingham is a bold and ambitious city, with a proud history of people doing things their own way — from makers and thinkers to artists and athletes. It’s old and new; it’s grass and it’s glass; it’s big and it’s small. It’s a place that rewards the curious: a city you truly need to see and feel for yourself.”

NTU is wholly committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Expressions of interest from diverse backgrounds and communities — especially with regards to age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, and religion or belief — would therefore be particularly welcome.

To apply, please submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae along with a covering letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the required criteria. Please include in a separate document your current salary details and the names and addresses of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages, and not without prior permission from candidates.

The preferred method of application is online at www.odgers.com/84254. If you are unable to apply online, please email your application to 84254@odgers.com.

All applications will receive an automated response.

All candidates are also requested to complete an online Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which can be found at the end of the application process. This will assist the University in monitoring selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. Any information collated from the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Forms will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential.

In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and / or biometric data) in your CV and application documentation.

Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or details (e.g. referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion.

QueriesFor a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact:

Alice Field, Researcher, Education Practice +44 (0) 20 3743 1725 | alice.field@odgersberndtson.com

Nick Willis, Consultant, Education Practice +44 (0)20 7529 6305 | nick.willis@odgersberndtson.com

How to apply

Nottingham Trent University has engaged the services of Odgers Berndtson, to whom applications should be sent by the closing date of Friday 26 November 2021.

ntu.ac.uk