Operational Readiness and Mobilisation Manager

UCL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 days annual leave (extra)

CARE pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Relocation support

On-site nursery and gym

Staff Support Service

Discounted medical insurance

Job summary

UCL Estates seeks an experienced Operational Readiness and Mobilisation Manager to ensure new buildings transition from construction to fully operational, high-performing environments. You will lead comprehensive readiness programmes ensuring people, processes, services, governance, and suppliers are prepared before occupation.

You will coordinate facilities services mobilisation, embedding operational requirements in design and construction, and oversee budget and supplier mobilisation to

Qualifications

• Experience leading operational readiness or mobilisation programmes within large-scale developments.
• Experience managing facilities management services and building operations.
• Strong ability to develop mobilisation plans, governance frameworks and delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Lead Operational Readiness and Mobilisation programmes across new building projects.
• Develop mobilisation plans from pre-handover through to occupation and post-occupancy.
• Coordinate services mobilisation including Security, Cleaning, Maintenance, Logistics, Concierge and Help Desk.

Skills

Operational readiness

Mobilisation

Facilities management

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Communication

Risk management

Strategic & hands-on

Job description

At UCL, we create world-leading environments that enable our students, researchers and staff to thrive. UCL Estates is responsible for delivering and managing the spaces where our community lives, studies and works, providing sustainable facilities and an exceptional campus experience.

The Estates function comprises Campus Experience & Infrastructure (CE&I) and Estates Development (ED), delivering a diverse range of services including capital projects, engineering and maintenance, sustainability, safety, security, catering, cleaning, student residences, nursery services, teaching spaces and event management.

As UCL continues to invest in its estate and deliver ambitious capital programmes, we are seeking an experienced Operational Readiness and Mobilisation Manager to ensure new buildings transition seamlessly from construction into fully operational, high-performing environments.

About the role

This is a pivotal role within the Estate Management team, acting as the single point of contact for Operational Readiness planning and mobilisation across UCL's major capital projects.

You will lead the development and delivery of comprehensive operational readiness programmes, ensuring all people, processes, services, governance arrangements and suppliers are fully prepared ahead of building occupation. Working across academic departments, professional services, Estates teams and external partners, you will ensure that every new facility is operationally ready, service-enabled and positioned for long-term success.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading Operational Readiness and Mobilisation programmes across new building projects.
• Developing and managing mobilisation plans from pre-handover through to post-Practical Completion fit-out and occupation.
• Acting as the operational lead for Facilities Management service mobilisation, ensuring all services, systems, contracts and operational processes are in place before occupation.
• Coordinating the mobilisation of facilities services including Security, Cleaning, Maintenance, Logistics, Concierge and Help Desk functions.
• Working closely with project teams throughout commissioning and handover, adapting mobilisation plans in response to programme changes and operational risks.
• Embedding operational requirements throughout design and construction phases, ensuring stakeholder needs are identified and incorporated early.
• Supporting procurement activities and overseeing supplier mobilisation and contract compliance.
• Managing mobilisation budgets and providing accurate reporting to senior Estates leadership.
• Leading Soft Landings processes to ensure a smooth transition into business-as-usual operations.
• Establishing governance frameworks, performance measures and KPI reporting structures.
• Representing Estates Operations and Residences in project meetings, commissioning activities, procurement exercises and stakeholder forums.
• Championing service excellence and enhancing the experience of students, staff and visitors through effective operational planning and service integration.
• Contributing to new ways of working that support the successful occupation and operation of UCL's evolving estate.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the operational success of some of UCL's most significant estate developments and leave a lasting legacy across the university.

A full job description is attached to this advert.

About you

We are looking for an experienced operational readiness, mobilisation or facilities management professional with a strong track record of delivering complex projects within large, multi-stakeholder environments.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading operational readiness, mobilisation, transition or facilities management programmes within large-scale developments or capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of Facilities Management services and building operations.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships across multiple disciplines and organisational levels.
• Proven ability to develop and implement mobilisation plans, governance frameworks and operational delivery models.
• Experience supporting project commissioning, handover and Soft Landings activities.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, including budget management and supplier oversight.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Experience identifying and managing operational risks while maintaining programme momentum.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery.
• A collaborative, customer-focused approach with a passion for creating exceptional user experiences.

Experience within higher education, healthcare, property, corporate real estate or large public-sector environments would be advantageous, but we welcome applications from candidates with transferable operational readiness and mobilisation expertise from other complex sectors.

If you are passionate about turning world‑class buildings into fully operational, service‑ready environments and enjoy working at the intersection of estates, operations and project delivery, we'd love to hear from you.

What we offer

As well as exciting opportunities, UCL offers a range of great benefits. Find out more:

• Option to purchase 5 additional days' annual leave
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and immigration loan
• Relocation support for eligible posts
• On-site nursery and gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Staff Support Service (employee assistance programme)
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL's workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and - for Grade 9 and 10 roles - women.

Read more: UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with UCL's policies on: Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Personal Relationships Policy