Director of Estates and Facilities

TPP RECRUITMENT; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer research institute in Greater London is seeking a Director of Estates and Facilities to provide strategic leadership for estates management. The role involves overseeing specialist teams, managing compliance and risk, and driving capital projects. Candidates should have senior leadership experience in estates management within complex environments, ideally in research or healthcare. Excellent benefits include 28 days of annual leave, flexible working, and a pension plan. Apply with your CV by 7th January 2026.

Benefits

28 days’ annual leave

USS or NHS pension

Flexible working

Family-friendly policies

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in estates/facilities within complex environments.
• Strong track record in compliance, risk management, and capital programme delivery.
• Skilled in motivating teams and building effective relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all aspects of the estate.
• Lead a directorate covering Building & Maintenance, Planning & Development, and more.
• Support the Estates Framework Plan and drive major capital projects.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Estates management

Compliance and risk management

Capital programme delivery

Collaboration and relationship building

Education

Degree-level education (or equivalent)

Full membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., RICS, CIOB, BIFM)

Job description

Be part of a world-leading organisation making discoveries that defeat cancer.

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, with a 100-year legacy of scientific breakthroughs. TPP is excited to be supporting ICR in the search for an outstanding Director of Estates and Facilities to lead specialist teams and ensure the estate enables world-class science.

About the role

You’ll provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all aspects of the estate; specialist laboratories, teaching spaces, and offices across the Chelsea and Sutton sites. You’ll lead a multi-disciplinary directorate covering Building & Maintenance, Planning & Development, Site Management, and Sustainability, Health & Safety.

You’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering the Estates Framework Plan, driving major capital projects (including the London Cancer Hub), and ensuring infrastructure is safe, resilient, sustainable, and future-ready. You’ll work closely with senior research leaders and the hospital partner, The Royal Marsden, to support cutting-edge science and clinical care.

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

About you

You’ll bring senior leadership experience in estates/facilities within complex, safety-critical environments (e.g., research, higher education, healthcare, or pharma/biotech). You’ll have a strong track record in compliance, risk management, business continuity, and capital programme delivery.

You’ll be a skilled leader and collaborator, able to motivate high-performing teams and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Essential

• Degree-level education (or equivalent)
• Full membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., RICS, CIOB, BIFM)
• Deep understanding of estates management in a research or HE context

Why join ICR?

• Shape the future of a world-class research estate
• Lead a talented, committed team
• Work in a values-driven, inclusive environment
• Excellent benefits: 28 days’ annual leave, USS or NHS pension, flexible working, family-friendly policies, staff discounts, and more

How to apply

We’re working to a tight deadline: please apply here with your tailored CV by 7th January 2026 and a member of the TPP team will be in touch with you shortly.

1st stage interviews will be held on 16th January

Join ICR and help make the discoveries that defeat cancer.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.