Sub-Category Manager – Infrastructure

UCL Eastman Dental Institute; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK seeks a Sub-Category Manager to support its Estates Infrastructure programme, driving procurement and supplier management for sustainable outcomes. The role requires excellent organizational skills, stakeholder engagement, and experience in managing procurement processes. The ideal candidate will enjoy a dynamic environment while contributing to the university's strategic infrastructure goals. Key benefits include 41 days of holiday, a pension scheme, and an on-site gym.

Benefits

41 Days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Qualifications

• Experience in managing procurement processes and negotiating with suppliers.
• Strong understanding of procurement, supplier management, and value-driven commercial practices.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Support UCL's Estates Infrastructure programme and contribute to the Infrastructure Masterplan.
• Manage tenders, contract negotiations, and supplier performance.
• Identify opportunities to innovate, streamline processes, and support sustainable outcomes.

Skills

Proactive and commercially astute

Excellent organizational skills

Advanced Excel

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Job description

About the role

Join UCL’s Commercial & Procurement team and help shape the university’s future infrastructure. We’re looking for a proactive and collaborative Sub-Category Manager (Estates Infrastructure) to play a key role in supporting UCL’s Estates Infrastructure programme — including the delivery of our long-term Infrastructure Masterplan.

The Infrastructure Masterplan is a strategic, data‑led roadmap that ensures our campuses remain safe, inclusive, sustainable, and fit for the future. It guides how we invest in our buildings to deliver the greatest benefit to the widest number of people. Over the next two years, UCL will invest £ million in a mix of essential upgrades and ongoing maintenance — investment you’ll directly help to shape through effective commercial and procurement leadership.

In this role, you’ll partner closely with Estates, operational teams, and suppliers to deliver high‑quality, value‑for‑money commercial solutions across a range of hard FM and infrastructure requirements. You’ll manage tenders, contract negotiations, and supplier performance, lead on sub‑category planning, and identify opportunities to innovate, streamline processes, and support sustainable outcomes.

This role also offers the opportunity to contribute to cross‑functional projects that improve ways of working, enhance procurement effectiveness, and support the delivery of UCL’s strategic estates priorities. It’s a dynamic position for someone who enjoys balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery in a fast‑paced, purpose‑driven environment.

To broaden experience and foster collaboration, the sub‑category manager role offers a unique job swap opportunity with the IT&Telecoms category team. This will allow the successful candidate to gain exposure to IT&Telecoms‑related experience while sharing Estates expertise, enhancing career development and cross‑functional knowledge.

About you

You are a proactive and commercially astute professional with a strong understanding of procurement, supplier management, and value‑driven commercial practices. You bring excellent organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to achieving results in a complex and fast‑moving environment.

You’ll have the confidence to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels — from Estates colleagues to operational teams and suppliers — building trusted relationships and providing sound commercial advice. You’re experienced in managing procurement processes, negotiating with suppliers, and using data to inform decision‑making. Advanced Excel and strong written and verbal communication skills will be essential to your success.

Ideally, you’ll have experience in large or decentralised organisations and an understanding of infrastructure, hard FM, or operations‑related procurement. Above all, you’ll be motivated by the opportunity to improve how a world‑leading university invests in and manages its built environment. You’ll be committed to delivering outstanding service, driving continuous improvement, and contributing to UCL’s ambition to support world‑leading teaching and research through efficient, sustainable procurement practices.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On‑Site nursery
• On‑site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme : Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance