Associate Director of Estates, Facilities and Capital Planning

NHS National Services Scotland; Inverness; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a strategic leader for Estates Operations and Capital Planning within NHS Highland. This role is pivotal in ensuring the safety and quality of healthcare environments, while also driving operational efficiencies and strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will exhibit exceptional leadership and communication skills, ensuring adherence to best value principles and supporting clinical and non-clinical services across the organization. Join a dedicated team committed to upholding high standards of care and compassion.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Supportive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic and operational leadership within a health or facilities management setting.
• Strong analytical skills to drive decision-making.
• Effective communication skills with stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Estates Operations and Capital Planning.
• Ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Contribute to corporate decision-making and national policy formulation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational management

Technical expertise in Facilities Management

Risk management

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Estates, Facilities and Capital Planning directorate of NHS Highland provides a wide range of essential services which enable the continuous delivery of safe, high-quality care to patients and supports our staff and the public in our healthcare locations. Our services are delivered by a team of over 1000 NHS staff.

The role will provide strategic, operational and technical leadership to the Estates Operations and Capital Planning function across NHS Highland’s diverse and complex portfolio of property, services, staffing and budgets, ensuring adoption of ‘best value’ principles, the development and maintenance of standards, and minimisation of risk exposure.

The successful candidate will have responsibility for ensuring a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors, and for the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and service delivery across Estates Operations and Capital Planning services. Promoting awareness of the contribution of Facilities and Estates services to the patient journey in terms of quality and effectiveness to staff and managers within and outwith the Directorate.

The role will bring a great opportunity for development contributing to corporate level decision-making including deputising for the Deputy Director on NHSH Board and Executive Directors Group meetings, The successful candidate will be a key member of the directorate senior leadership team, contribute to the formulation and implementation of national policy and guidance, through Health Facilities Scotland and collegiate agreement. Contribute to the strategic and operational management of NHS Highland through various forums and groups such as the NHS Highland Senior Leadership Team, Area Partnership Forum, H&SCP management teams etc.

The ability to provide future long term strategic planning and provision of all Facilities and Estates services; that directly support all clinical and non-clinical services of NHS Highland and delivery of organisational objectives.

The suitable candidate will act as a positive role model for NHSH and NHS Scotland values of care and compassion, quality and teamwork, dignity and respect and openness, honesty and responsibility ensuring that these values are reflected in every day practice.

Informal enquiries should be made to: Richard MacDonald, Director of Estates, Facilities and Capital Planning; tel: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]

This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa or a Health and Care Worker visa. NHS Highland is unable to provide candidates with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• Effective from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reduced from 37 to 36 hours. Part-time hours will be adjusted on a pro‑rata basis. There will be an increase in the hourly rate to ensure that pay remains unaffected.
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NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.

Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.

CORE VALUES

• Care and compassion
• Dignity and respect
• Openness, honesty and responsibility
• Quality and teamwork