Operational Readiness and Mobilisation Manager

About us

At UCL, we create world-leading environments that enable our students, researchers and staff to thrive. UCL Estates is responsible for delivering and managing the spaces where our community lives, studies and works, providing sustainable facilities and an exceptional campus experience.

The Estates function comprises Campus Experience & Infrastructure (CE&I) and Estates Development (ED), delivering a diverse range of services including capital projects, engineering and maintenance, sustainability, safety, security, catering, cleaning, student residences, nursery services, teaching spaces and event management.

As UCL continues to invest in its estate and deliver ambitious capital programmes, we are seeking an experienced Operational Readiness and Mobilisation Manager to ensure new buildings transition seamlessly from construction into fully operational, high-performing environments.

About the role

This is a pivotal role within the Estate Management team, acting as the single point of contact for Operational Readiness planning and mobilisation across UCL's major capital projects.

You will lead the development and delivery of comprehensive operational readiness programmes, ensuring all people, processes, services, governance arrangements and suppliers are fully prepared ahead of building occupation. Working across academic departments, professional services, Estates teams and external partners, you will ensure that every new facility is operationally ready, service-enabled and positioned for long-term success.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading Operational Readiness and Mobilisation programmes across new building projects.
• Developing and managing mobilisation plans from pre-handover through to post-Practical Completion fit-out and occupation.
• Acting as the operational lead for Facilities Management service mobilisation, ensuring all services, systems, contracts and operational processes are in place before occupation.
• Coordinating the mobilisation of facilities services including Security, Cleaning, Maintenance, Logistics, Concierge and Help Desk functions.
• Working closely with project teams throughout commissioning and handover, adapting mobilisation plans in response to programme changes and operational risks.
• Embedding operational requirements throughout design and construction phases, ensuring stakeholder needs are identified and incorporated early.
• Supporting procurement activities and overseeing supplier mobilisation and contract compliance.
• Managing mobilisation budgets and providing accurate reporting to senior Estates leadership.
• Leading Soft Landings processes to ensure a smooth transition into business-as-usual operations.
• Establishing governance frameworks, performance measures and KPI reporting structures.
• Representing Estates Operations and Residences in project meetings, commissioning activities, procurement exercises and stakeholder forums.
• Championing service excellence and enhancing the experience of students, staff and visitors through effective operational planning and service integration.
• Contributing to new ways of working that support the successful occupation and operation of UCL's evolving estate.