Head of Capital Projects

Marlborough College; Marlborough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Marlborough College in Wiltshire is seeking a Head of Capital Projects to lead the delivery of its ambitious 10-Year Refurbishment Plan, overseeing heritage conservation, boarding house modernisation, academic facilities and infrastructure renewal on a live campus.

You will manage projects from concept to completion, coordinating with consultants, contractors and internal stakeholders to deliver safe, on-time, within-budget programmes while shaping long-term estate strategy and governance.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex construction, refurbishment and development programmes across large operational estates.
• Experience in higher education, independent schools, healthcare or heritage organisations is valuable.
• Strong technical and commercial expertise with governance, procurement and contracts.
• Experience with listed buildings and heritage-sensitive projects.
• Balance strategic planning with practical delivery.
• Confident communicator with senior stakeholders and governance committees.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the 10-Year Refurbishment Plan across a live campus.
• Oversee concepts through feasibility to completion and post-occupancy evaluation.
• Ensure programmes are delivered safely, on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with consultants, contractors and internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to long-term estate planning, governance, risk management and sustainability strategy.
• Engage with Senior Management Team, Finance Committee and Estates Committee.

Skills

Capital projects

Construction management

Stakeholder management

Governance & procurement

Heritage/conservation experience

Communication with senior leaders

Job description

Founded in 1843, Marlborough College is one of the UK's leading independent boarding schools, educating more than 1,000 pupils across a remarkable 250-acre estate in the heart of Wiltshire. Combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care, the College is home to a diverse portfolio of buildings and facilities, including 16 boarding houses, academic departments, sports venues and a unique collection of Grade II\* listed heritage assets.

The estate plays a central role in the experience we provide to pupils, staff and the wider College community. Over the last decade, Marlborough has invested approximately £90 million in maintaining, modernising and enhancing its built environment. With a further £90 million programme planned over the next ten years, this is an exciting opportunity to join the College at a pivotal stage in its development and help shape the future of one of the most significant educational estates in the country.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Bursar (COO), the Head of Capital Projects will lead the delivery of Marlborough College's ambitious 10-Year Refurbishment Plan, taking responsibility for a diverse programme of capital investment encompassing heritage conservation, boarding house modernisation, academic facilities, infrastructure renewal, sustainability initiatives and new developments.

Acting as the College's client-side development lead, you will oversee projects from initial concept and feasibility through to completion and post-occupancy evaluation, ensuring programmes are delivered safely, on time and within budget. Managing multiple concurrent schemes across a live and operational campus, you will work closely with consultants, contractors and internal stakeholders to deliver projects that enhance both the physical estate and the educational experience.

This is a highly visible leadership position requiring regular engagement with the Senior Management Team, Finance Committee, Estates Committee and College Council. Alongside project delivery, you will play a key role in long‑term estate planning, business case development, financial forecasting, governance, risk management and sustainability strategy. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence some of the most significant estate investment decisions within the independent education sector.

About You

We are seeking an experienced capital projects professional with a proven track record of delivering complex construction, refurbishment and development programmes across large operational estates. You may have gained your experience within higher education, independent schools, healthcare, heritage organisations, major property estates or similarly complex environments where buildings remain occupied throughout project delivery.

You will bring strong technical and commercial expertise, together with a thorough understanding of project governance, procurement, construction contracts and stakeholder management. Experience of working with listed buildings, conservation constraints and heritage‑sensitive projects will be particularly valuable, as will the ability to balance strategic planning with practical project delivery.

You will be a confident communicator who can build credibility with senior leaders, professional advisers, contractors and end users alike. Equally comfortable presenting investment proposals to governance committees as you are walking a live construction site, you will combine sound judgement, attention to detail and a collaborative leadership style with a passion for delivering exceptional environments that support long‑term organisational success.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a major capital programme within an institution of national standing, helping preserve its heritage while delivering the facilities and infrastructure that will support future generations of pupils and staff.

The candidate brochure can be viewed at Marlborough College - Head of Capital Projects

Closing date for applications is Sunday 13th September.

Panel interviews are scheduled for w/c 28th September.

Marlborough College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the College is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are \"spent\" unless they are \"protected\" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.