Director of Infrastructure (Higher Education)

Virtual Hire Staffing; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Virtual Hire Staffing has placed an Interim Director of Infrastructure for a leading London university. The role oversees estates, facilities management, maintenance, security and sustainability across a multi-campus estate, with hybrid work in London and an initial 3-6 month duration starting January 2027.

The successful candidate will lead senior teams, ensure statutory compliance and budget oversight, and work closely with the university's executive team to deliver continuity and a pathway to

Qualifications

• Senior estates, facilities or infrastructure leadership in higher education or another complex, multi-site organisation.
• Strong command of statutory compliance and building safety.
• Experience managing significant budgets and outsourced contracts.
• Ability to lead people through change and engage at executive level.
• Available from early January 2027.
• Previous interim experience and professional membership (MRICS, CIOB, IWFM, CMIOSH or similar) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and operational delivery across hard and soft FM, planned and reactive maintenance, security and campus services.
• Lead and support an established team through a period of transition.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, fire, water, asbestos, gas and electrical requirements.
• Manage service contracts and suppliers, driving performance and value for money.
• Own the operational budget and report to the senior executive team.
• Support the university’s sustainability and net zero ambitions.
• Work closely with capital projects and estates development colleagues.

Skills

Estates Management

Facilities Management

Statutory Compliance

Health & Safety

Contract Management

Budget Management

Sustainability

Stakeholder Management

Job description

Required Skills

• Estates Management
• Facilities Management
• Statutory Compliance
• Health & Safety
• Contract Management
• Budget Management
• Sustainability
• Stakeholder Management

Job Summary

Interim Director of Infrastructure (Higher Education)

Location: London | Duration: 3-6 month Interim | Start: Early January 2027

Client: A leading London university (named to shortlisted candidates only)

Rate: Negotioable

Location: London - Hybrid

Ref: INT-INFRA-0127

The Opportunity

Our client is a well-regarded, diverse London university with a strong civic mission. It is looking for an experienced interim leader to take charge of its Infrastructure function from January 2027.

What does the role entail?

You will lead estates operations across a multi-campus estate, including facilities management, maintenance, security and sustainability. You will provide continuity and strong leadership, keep services running at a high standard, and prepare for the permanent solution.

This is a high-visibility role, working directly with the university’s senior executive team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and operational delivery across hard and soft FM, planned and reactive maintenance, security and campus services.
• Lead and support an established team through a period of transition.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, fire, water, asbestos, gas and electrical requirements.
• Manage service contracts and suppliers, driving performance and value for money.
• Own the operational budget and report to the senior executive team.
• Support the university’s sustainability and net zero ambitions.
• Work closely with capital projects and estates development colleagues.

About You

• Senior estates, facilities or infrastructure leadership in higher education or another complex, multi-site organisation.
• Strong command of statutory compliance and building safety.
• Experience managing significant budgets and outsourced contracts.
• Ability to lead people through change and engage at executive level.
• Available from early January 2027.
• Previous interim experience and professional membership (MRICS, CIOB, IWFM, CMIOSH or similar) desirable.