NERC Transformation - Senior Estate Manager (information specialist)

Natural Environment Research Council

Salary: £46,965 per annum
Band: UKRI E
Contract Type: Open Ended
Hours: Full-time / Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Location: Swindon - Hybrid working available

Closing date: Monday 7th September 2026
Proposed Interview Date: Thursday 24th September 2026

Location:

Based at the NERC Head Office, Swindon, but operating in a hybrid arrangement with occasional requirements to attend meetings in person at other locations as necessary.

Background:

UK Research and Innovation is an entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the largest funder of environmental science in the UK. We invest £300 million each year in research, training and innovation through UK universities and research centres. Our scientists study and monitor the whole planet from pole to pole, from deep Earth and oceans to upper atmosphere and space. Through collaboration with scientific partners, business and policy-makers, our science supports sustainable economic growth and improves public wellbeing. Our Headquarters in Swindon provides the corporate policy, planning and administrative focus for NERC.

The NERC UK property portfolio consists of 91 buildings over 15 sites including research centres, field sites and storage facilities. There are complex estate arrangements across the portfolio requiring advanced data curation & management to effectively monitor building condition, ensure compliance and delivery costs effective investments.

To deliver the NERC UK Estates Strategy, a new c.£200m, 4-year programme has been agreed to deliver a fit purpose estate which enables globally leading science to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth. It will deliver a mix of capital investments and longer business case planning activity. Effective estate information management and expert advice will be central to this programme.

Role Purpose

The position is responsible for delivering a modern, data-driven estate through smart building technology, Building Information Modelling (BIM), electronic asset information and integrated systems. The role acts as the technical authority for electronic estates standards, drawings, surveys, governance, CAFM systems, IoT solutions and electronic asset lifecycle management. Establish a unified framework for creating, organising, sharing, and controlling electronic information for all NERC buildings and infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development and implementation of the estates’ information asset strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and long-term estate transformation goals.
• Defining and embedding estate information policy, standards, processes and governance frameworks, including BIM (ISO 19650), asset information requirements and system assurance, including leading on adoption of a one organisation wide approach.
• Escalating risks and opportunities associated with information assets across the estates, adopting a solution-focused and data-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Overseeing integration of platforms including BIM, GIS, digital twins, CAFM/CMMS and smart-building technologies to ensure consistent and accurate estate information.
• Providing oversight of AutoCAD drawings and set procedures for consistent records.
• Ensuring governance, quality and lifecycle management of digital asset data, promoting effective information flow across projects and operational functions.
• Leading collaborative working with DDaT, sustainability, FM, capital projects and external specialists, ensuring consistent delivery and technical alignment.
• Providing oversight for Condition Surveys data platforms and management of asset data and commissioning of all related surveys.
• Providing (with training) technical and architecture for building estates Smartsheet/BI management platforms.
• Managing relationships with suppliers and technology partners, ensuring high-quality performance, effective communication and clear reporting on progress, risks and priorities.
• Acting as the principal subject matter expert for estate information management, providing guidance, assurance and oversight across projects and transformation initiatives.
• Supporting financial planning and monitoring for estate information activities, ensuring effective cost controls and accurate reporting.
• Preparing briefing materials, technical summaries and updates for senior colleagues, governance groups and internal/external stakeholders.
• Deputising for the Head of Estate where required on estate information management matters and representing the organisation at internal and external forums.
• Working with the senior real estate manager, ensure data and documentation storage system(s) is effective and efficient.
• Enabling regular reporting through digital platforms e.g. setting up template to enable efficient data collection and verification.