Chief Property Officer

As a proud Manchester institution with a growing international reach since 1824, we are in search of our next Chief Property Officer as we embark on our transformative journey to elevate the University of Manchester’s legacy and world-class status during our bicentenary year and beyond.

Come on a journey with us and be the spearhead and visionary of the strategic evolution of our expansive Estates portfolio.

Our global community strives to bring our shared values of Knowledge, Wisdom, Humanity, Courage, and Academic Freedom to life. From life-saving research to life-changing teaching, the strategic management of our estate and our facilities portfolio stands as a cornerstone of our mission.

As an integral member of our Professional Services Leadership Team, you will orchestrate the efficient operation, maintenance, and expansion of our physical infrastructure to propel the University towards our ambitious goals, and proactively contribute towards our collective activity to transform our Professional Services in alignment with PS vision.

Your role will entail providing strategic direction in the conception, design, and execution of sector leading estate development initiatives, meticulously aligning them with our academic and research priorities. Moreover, you will oversee the holistic management of our campus facilities, ensuring they embody safety, sustainability, and inclusivity, thereby fostering an environment conducive to learning, collaboration, and innovation.

About you:

The ideal candidate will be a visionary, collaborative leader who possesses a wealth of experience in navigating the complexities of large-scale estate management, alongside adept leadership skills honed through successful project delivery. Exceptional interpersonal acumen and communicative finesse are imperative, enabling seamless collaboration with stakeholders across our University and within the broader Manchester community.

This opportunity beckons those poised to leave an indelible mark on the trajectory of our prestigious institution for years to come.

Seize the chance to shape the future narrative of our University and elevate its standing on the global stage.

Thank you for your interest in this role at the University of Manchester. Our University has a rich heritage of discovery, social change and a pioneering spirit, which has been at the heart of what we do since 1824.

When you join our university, you become part of a truly diverse and global community of staff, students and alumni all focused on ensuring we are recognised globally for the excellence of our people, research, learning and innovation, and for the benefits we bring to society. In an increasingly competitive and challenging environment, how we recruit, retain, and develop our people has never been more important.

A career in Higher Education has always been rewarding but never more so than now. The opportunities and challenges presented by our commitment to achieving zero carbon, by the fundamental changes to the world of work, the opportunities of a seamless digital and physical environment, all in the context of a challenging funding environment, mean that the role of CPO gives you the opportunity to make a fundamental difference to our university and its community over the next decade and more. As a pivotal member of the Professional Services Leadership Team (SLT), you will lead on a transformative journey to enable our world-class status through visionary estate and facilities management.

Over the next decade and beyond, this strategic role is dedicated to reshaping our campus, enhancing services, and fostering a culture of excellence befitting a truly global institution to deliver our mission and purpose, details of which can be found here: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/our-future/.

You will provide leadership and direction to our Estates and Facilities Directorate teams to work in partnership with academic & professional services leaders and staff across our institution.

You will also provide advice and support to me, the President and Vice- Chancellor, and other senior leaders on delivering our ambitions. You will act at all times in line with our shared values, with an emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusion.

We are seeking someone with significant strategic Property/Infrastructure experience that blends innovation, authentic leadership, and proven ability to deliver strategic transformation, all gained in a large and complex organisational context. In such a multi-layered, multifaceted, and multi- stakeholder setting, key to your success will be your professional judgement, insight, and ability to influence strategic direction.

I very much look forward to meeting you later in the recruitment process.

Patrick Hackett, Registrar, Secretary and COO