The University of Manchester
Associate Director of Estates Property
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
About the Role
We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as Associate Director of Property. This senior role offers an exciting opportunity to provide strategic leadership of the University’s property portfolio, transforming land and buildings into active, value-generating assets that support long-term institutional objectives. You will operate within a dynamic and inclusive environment, contributing to the delivery of the University’s strategic priorities, place ambitions and financial sustainability.
Reporting to the Director of Estates (Partnering), you will act as the University’s senior property and commercial adviser and a key interface with external partners, investors and public-sector stakeholders. The role plays a critical part in delivering the University’s Integrated Infrastructure Plan and 2035 Vision, including leadership of large-scale, innovation-led estate developments and joint ventures.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing senior-level oversight of complex estate developments, acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures, ensuring long-term value creation and compliance
- Leading the development and delivery of the University’s property strategy, aligned to institutional priorities and the Integrated Infrastructure Plan
- Establishing a portfolio-based approach to asset management, including recommendations to retain, invest, repurpose, develop or dispose of assets
- Providing strategic leadership for space planning, utilisation and rationalisation, supported by robust governance, data and digital tools
- Leading, managing and developing the Property Team and specialist consultants, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.
Essential Criteria
- A first degree (or equivalent) and full membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Extensive experience of client-side property and estate management within a large, complex organisation
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience with valuations, income/outgoings and business case development
- Proven experience of strategic space planning, estate optimisation and major property-related projects
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder-influencing skills
Desirable Criteria
- Experience leading innovation-led developments or public/private partnerships
- Experience with digital estate systems, CAD/BIM and space management technologies
- Experience operating in a complex, matrix organisational environment
We value transferable skills, professional judgement and collaborative leadership as much as formal qualifications.
Our Benefits
- Fantastic market-leading Pension scheme
- Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
- Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
- Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
- Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
For more information, please see https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here/.
You can also find information on Flexible and Hybrid working here: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/people/current-staff/flexible-and-hybrid-working/.
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=32905.
Enquiries About The Role, Shortlisting And Interviews
Email Address: talent.attraction@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and administrative support: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk
Technical and job portal support: https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills