Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services

About the role

The University of Sussex is seeking to appoint its next Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services.

The first of the new wave of UK universities founded in the 1960s, Sussex received its Royal Charter in 1961 and immediately set about offering an alternative to the traditional higher education landscape. From the very start, Sussex was intended to be a new kind of university: challenging convention and fostering critical thinking. Today, our courses, research and culture aim to stimulate, excite, and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead.

Now in our 63rd year, we have established a global reputation. We are ranked 31st in the UK and joint 246th overall in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025, with 10 subjects listed within the UK top 20 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 and Development Studies ranked first in the world for the eight consecutive year, reflecting the radically global orientation of our research and education. Given our strong institutional commitment to environmental sustainability, we are also very pleased to be recognised as the 8th most sustainable university in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and joint 26th in the world for Sustainability.

About you

The Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational management for the University’s estate and all associated facilities management and commercial services which underpin the University’s aim to have a world-class physical environment to support the delivery of its academic ambitions, and exceptional student, staff, and visitor experience.   This is a critical role that will support the realisation of our new strategy ‘Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures’. 

We are seeking to appoint a candidate with extensive experience in estates and facilities leadership roles at a senior and strategic level, and with a deep knowledge and understanding of, and a strong commitment to, delivering estates solutions to the challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability. The successful candidate will have excellent portfolio-level leadership experience, as the role has a broad remit spanning masterplanning and capital development, property and space management, facilities management, environmental sustainability and commercial services (such as catering, hospitality, student accommodation and sport).

The University offers a compelling employer proposition including significant investment in staff wellbeing and development, a generous pension scheme and annual leave allowance, and access to campus facilities. There is also relocation support available for individuals seeking to relocate to the area to take up the position.

About our Division

Please find further information regarding the division at Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services: University of Sussex

Why work here

Find out more about our reward and benefits package. 

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion 

Further Key Information 

Please contact Michael Hewlett (07972 579 938 / michael.hewlett@mrgglobal.com) or Ben Duffill (07976 125 010 / ben.duffill@mrgglobal.com) for informal enquiries.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK. 

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code, and meets the salary requirements for Skilled Worker Sponsorship if full time. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.

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