Executive Director of Estates and Campus Services

MRG Global Pty; Preston; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Lancashire is seeking an outstanding estates leader to join the University as Executive Director of Estates and Campus Services.

This role provides strategic leadership across the Estates and Campus Services portfolio to ensure that buildings, infrastructure and services support the University's academic ambitions and student experience.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and visible leadership across the Estates and Campus Services portfolio.
• Lead the development and implementation of an estate strategy and masterplan.
• Prioritise estate rationalisation, investment planning, sustainability and decarbonisation, compliance and operational performance.
• Build productive relationships with civic/regional partners, authorities and advisers to support regeneration and campus services.

Education

Undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification

Job description

The University of Lancashire is seeking an outstanding estates leader to join the University as Executive Director of Estates and Campus Services.

This is a significant opportunity to shape the next phase of development of a large, diverse and operationally complex university estate. The successful candidate will provide strategic and visible leadership across the full Estates and Campus Services portfolio, ensuring that the University's buildings, infrastructure, facilities and services actively support its academic ambitions, financial sustainability and the experience of students, colleagues and visitors.

The University of Lancashire is an international, multi-campus university with roots dating back to 1828 and a strong commitment to delivering practical, real-world education. With a substantial presence across Lancashire, West Cumbria and a campus in Cyprus, the University plays an important educational, economic and civic role within the communities it serves.

Working closely with colleagues across the University, the Executive Director will lead the development and implementation of an ambitious, affordable and deliverable estate strategy and masterplan. Priorities will include estate rationalisation and optimisation, capital investment planning, sustainability and decarbonisation, statutory compliance, operational performance and the continued improvement of campus services.

The Executive Director will create a strong culture of collaboration, accountability and customer service, ensuring that teams are aligned around clear priorities and equipped to deliver excellent outcomes. This is also an important external-facing position. The successful candidate will build productive relationships with civic and regional partners, local authorities, professional advisers and delivery partners, ensuring that the University’s estate contributes positively to regeneration, placemaking and its wider regional impact.

We are seeking a visible, credible and inclusive leader with a strong track record of leading estates and facilities functions within a large and complex organisation. Candidates will bring experience of developing and implementing estate strategies, prioritising investment, optimising property and space, and leading operational services. Candidates must also have an undergraduate degree or an equivalent professional qualification.

Strong commercial and financial judgement will be essential, together with the interpersonal skills and executive presence required to build trust, influence senior stakeholders and lead large, diverse teams. Above all, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ambition, resilience and long-term commitment required to shape an estate and service environment that supports the future success of the University.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 1 November 2026. The interview date is 19th November 2026.

We are proud to be a diverse, multicultural university. We are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will support the diversification within the University and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.