Head of Estate Transformation

Oryx Executive Search Ltd; Camberley; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is embarking on a major capital programme to modernise its 600-acre estate. We are looking to appoint a high-calibre Head of Estate Transformation to act as intelligent client and programme integrator.

The successful candidate will lead the Estate Master Plan, provide strategic oversight across capital programmes, and coordinate advisers while working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to navigate governance and approvals.

Qualifications

• Experience shaping projects from inception, including feasibility, business case development, scope definition.
• Credibility to challenge consultants and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with DIO or comparable public-sector organisations would be highly relevant.
• Understanding UK planning, procurement and statutory approvals within complex environments would be useful.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the Estate Master Plan.
• Provide strategic oversight across the capital programmes, coordinate professional advisers and work closely with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to navigate governance, assurance and approvals.

Skills

Senior project/programme management

Client-side delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Regulated environment experience

Job description

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has a history spanning more than 200 years, is one of the world's most distinguished military institutions, and is embarking on an ambitious programme to renew and modernise its 600-acre estate, ensuring it is fit for the future generation of British Army officers.

With funding secured, RMAS is progressing a portfolio of major capital projects including the Innovation Centre and an emerging High-Performance Training Centre, alongside the refurbishment and modernisation of existing facilities.

As the programme moves into its next phase, the Academy is looking to appoint a high‑calibre Head of Estate Transformation to act as its intelligent client and programme integrator.

The successful person will:

• Lead the development and implementation of the Estate Master Plan.
• Provide strategic oversight across the capital programmes, coordinate professional advisers and work closely with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to navigate governance, assurance and approvals.

We are looking for:

• An experienced senior project or programme management professional with substantial client‑side experience delivering complex capital programmes.
• Ideally within Defence, government, infrastructure, heritage or another highly regulated environment.

You will have:

• Proven ability to shape projects from inception, including feasibility, option appraisal, business case development, scope definition and early‑stage risk management.
• Just as importantly, is the credibility to challenge consultants, hold advisers to account and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with DIO, central government or comparable public‑sector organisations would be highly relevant.
• An understanding of UK planning, procurement and statutory approvals within complex or operationally constrained environments would be useful.

This is not simply a project management role. It is an opportunity to establish the client‑side capability that will shape the future of a nationally significant estate, balancing long‑term strategy with the practical realities of funding, governance and delivery.

For an accomplished project or programme leader, this represents a rare opportunity to leave a legacy at one of the UK's most important military institutions.