Ref Number
B28-00344
Professional Expertise
Estates, Facilities, Accommodation and Safety
Department
Finance, Commercial and Estates (B28)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£56,431-£66,437
Contract Type
Permanent
Working Type
Hybrid
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
16-Sept-2026
The UCL Estate comprises over 270 buildings valued at over £3 Billion, more than four million square feet of academic accommodation and approaching 4,250 student bedrooms. The scale, variety and complexity of the Estate are unparalleled in the Higher Education sector
The Area Facilities Management Team (AFM Team) is part of the Campus Experience and Infrastructure Division. The AFM Team enables and facilitates the smooth running of the Estate and enhances the customer experience by overseeing campus operations.
The buildings supported by the AFM Team are split across five geographical areas, each managed by an Area Facilities Manager (AFM). Reporting into each AFM are Facilities Managers each assigned their own group of buildings to manage.
- Develop a detailed understanding of all activities within an allocated area to support customers and colleagues in the smooth operational management of the estate.
- Line management responsibility for Facilities Manager(s) and Facilities Assistant(s) including recruitment, appraisals and development.
- Build and maintain strong trusted relationships with relevant Department Managers and Heads of Department and liaise with Directors of Operations as required.
- Act as a point of escalation, coordinating responses to complaints and incidents.
- Advise on and influence planned works or activities that are not within a single building assigned to a specific Facilities Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide cover for Facilities Manager(s) during periods of absence.
- Analyze data from inspections and other sources to identify trends and compile reports to present at committees and meetings as required.
- Oversee work for the allocated area, managing Facilities Managers and planning and prioritising works as required.
- Consolidate feedback from Facilities Managers related to campus operations and provide feedback to senior managers.
- To directly lead, manage and track actions on escalated matters within the area, working with CE&I teams and landlords to resolve issues and enacting a comms plan as necessary.
- Work closely with colleagues and customers to identify opportunities to improve services and facilities.
- Manage a delegated budget for specific works to enhance the customer experience, including the initiation of projects.
- Represent CE&I or AFM Team at working groups and committees as required, including critical incident response groups.
- Chair or attend Building User Group (BUG) meetings and schedule site walkrounds with key customers.
- Oversee completion of site inspections, resolution of safety issues and investigations by Facilities Managers, assisting and/or escalating where necessary.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders to resolve escalated issues related to implementation of reasonable adjustments.
- Engage with the Landlord, Property and other CE&I teams to ensure lease responsibilities are fulfilled where necessary.
- Act as key contact for Landlord’s operational teams to escalate service provision issues, and review and co-ordinate proposed project works.
You will bring substantial practical experience of managing or overseeing estates and facilities services within a large, complex organisation, with a strong understanding of health and safety legislation and its application in an operational environment. You will have experience of working with contractors and in-house teams, and of balancing competing priorities in a fast-paced setting.
An experienced people manager, you will be confident leading, supporting and developing staff, and comfortable taking accountability for performance, decision-making and outcomes. You will have a collaborative leadership style and be able to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing effectively and communicating clearly even in pressured or ambiguous situations.
You will be confident using IT systems to support and oversee facilities operations, including helpdesk or integrated workplace management systems, and will be comfortable using data to inform decisions and report on performance. Experience of working within higher education or a similarly complex estate would be advantageous, as would familiarity with service specifications, contracts or SLAs.
You will be motivated by delivering high-quality services, improving the campus experience and working inclusively with colleagues, students and partners. Above all, you will bring sound judgement, resilience and a proactive approach to solving complex operational challenges.
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
Full details: UCL Rewards and Benefits.
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
