Heriot-Watt University
Global Director of Estates
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Role: Global Director of Estates (Edinburgh based)
Grade and Salary range: Grade 10, Competitive
FTE and Working Pattern: Full Time, Open Ended
Organisation Name: University Executive (Professional Services) – Estates & Facilities Directorate
About our School/Directorate and Team: Enabling a global university through resilient, future-focused estates and facilities.
Heriot-Watt University is a distinctive, research-led institution with a truly global footprint. With campuses in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia, and a growing portfolio of international partnerships, the University is operating within an increasingly complex academic, regulatory and commercial landscape.
With a history dating back to 1821 and as the University continues to evolve its global operating model and develop future partnerships, the effectiveness of its estates and facilities has never been more critical. We are therefore seeking a Director of Estates to provide senior leadership at a pivotal moment, shaping the operational foundations that enable academic excellence, international growth and long-term sustainability.
Our headquarters is in Edinburgh, with additional UK campuses in the Scottish Borders and Orkney. In Dubai, we operate a flagship international campus that is central to our financial sustainability. In Malaysia, we have a further campus serving a growing student community with flexible transnational education as standard. Both international campuses operate on outsourced Facilities Management models — an arrangement this role will review, challenge and evolve as we begin the transformation towards the University’s Strategy 2035.
Purpose of Role You are the executive lead for the University’s Global Estates and Facilities Directorate with core services covering Operational Excellence in service delivery and resilience, capital projects and investment, Commercial Real Estate mgmt., and Campus and Location strategy and transformation. The dual purpose of this role within the first year is to drive change across operational, commercial and transformational priorities across Global Campuses, Locations and Estates, whilst simultaneously restoring and holding the highest standards of operational delivery for the current Directorate’s Services and Commercial Operations.
Serving as a member of the extended University leadership and Global Operations Executive you will contribute to strategy and influence operational decision-making in the University. You will lead, run and transform a global Estates directorate with accountability, pride in the University, its students, your team and services, and with a future-focussed commerciality. You will do this by enhancing line management, consistent service standards and a culture of commerciality, accountability, sustainability and excellence in all campuses with an immediate focus on the Edinburgh campus estate.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities: Line reporting into the Executive Director of University Global Operations and line management of a global team of c400 Estates and Facilities colleagues in 5 global campuses, incorporating internal and outsourced services valuing ~ £100m, with full budget, P&L accountability Lead and transform the directorate towards a world-class, high performing and engaged global estates capability where high performance is acknowledged and rewarded, and under-performance is visibly and consistently managed via clear priorities and SMART and appropriate goals within the University’s performance leadership processes Develop the strategic transformation and transition to a virtual campus within the next 10 years whilst simultaneously enabling and protecting our core missions of flexible accessible education; signature student experience; world class research and innovation; operational excellence Own the University’s pathway to net zero across all estates, campuses and services, embedding sustainability into every commercial and operational decision with student experience front and centre; with prime objective of meeting the University’s commitment to being net zero by 2035. Lead and be a key stakeholder in the commercialisation of the University’s real estate and partner with development partners on maximising economic value from our assets Assess the university’s readiness for Strategy 2035 implementation from an Estates & Facilities perspective and leverage and role model subject matter expertise to design the core operating model for the directorate including a flexible service and resource model incorporating increased scaling through partners Act as an ambassador for Operations in the University globally and contribute to the Strategy 2035 Operational Excellence steering group as a key stakeholder Partner with third party Strategic consultants and partners for Strategy 2035 implementation as appropriate, and influence the basis of these commercial models Credible leader of cultural change, role modelling both the University’s purpose and values, as well as a climate of risk, accountability, commerciality, and innovation Transform the Directorate operationally to data and digital based Service management, standards, and performance tracking, ensuring operational planning is robust, future-focused, and adaptable to changing institutional needs. Assess the current state of strategic Estates projects and change, ensuring good change practice, as well as sound investment and commercial decision-making ensuring return on investment and value are realised and tracked. Transform the University’s approach to space planning, incorporating the latest thinking and technology solutions, ensuring decisions are evidence-based, student-centred, and aligned with academic priorities. Accountable lead for a multi-union relationship and engagement model, simultaneously winning the trust of both union representatives and a partial union workforce operating within the University and the Directorate Maintain and enhance the value of the University’s assets, ensuring procurement and purchasing are efficient and compliant with public funding and charitable status obligations Lead and manage the organisational change required in Strategy 2035, influencing and managing stakeholder expectations, and prioritising team needs alongside the future University’s. Cultivate open, transparent, and proactive partnerships across all areas of the University.
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Education, Qualifications & Experience: Essential Criteria Highly experienced Estates & Facilities executive leader (10-20+ years in Estates leadership roles) with significant track record of transforming operations at scale and maturity Significant experience leading organisational change design and implementation with demonstrable skill in selling the vision and basis for change in partnership with team and stakeholders alike Significant near-time recruitment experience of recruiting senior management hires with a strong emphasis on people, commercial and transformation leadership capability Demonstrable experience earning the trust of union-represented workforces; managing through a period of change or instability Experience designing and implementing flexible service delivery models including the right balance of in-house capability and a flexible partner-delivery model, with a focus on quality, resilience and value. Experience as senior client or Executive sponsor on major construction or infrastructure projects, with a strong track record of delivery at pace and to commercial indicators Significant experience of legislation and operational compliance including Health and Safety and regulatory requirements preferably within a Higher Education Sector context, or other relevant industry sector equivalents Demonstrable experience commercialising property or facilities assets and leveraging value from income-generating strategies. Experience leading decarbonisation or net zero programmes across complex built environments and services, with measurable successes Credibility and presence to advise at Court (Board) or executive level; able to translate technical complexity into strategic insight for non-specialist audiences, including operational and strategic risk assessment and reporting. Ability to develop and hold a long-horizon strategy including a campus and location transition framework whilst maintaining relentless focus on day-to-day operational delivery. Significant experience managing outsourced FM contracts and major public procurement processes; knowledge of relevant legislation and best practice. Experience collaborating with business units including Operations, HR, Finance, and external parties with specific ability to integrate and align technology and business strategy with credibility. Strong understanding of organisational change and operating model transformation Experience of working in a complex global environment and demonstrable experience of matrix management, preferably on a global level Demonstrable experience in strategic and operational planning at organisational level.
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Desirable Criteria Experience in higher education or similarly complex public-sector environments with understanding of the regulatory, governance and funding frameworks. Professional membership (e.g., MRICS, MCIBSE, CIOB, CIWFM, RIBA or equivalent) or postgraduate management qualification. Knowledge of digital estate technologies and smart campus solutions to drive operational efficiency and decision-making across complex estates.
How to Apply Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on the Friday 10th July 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place in July 2026.
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