Head of Capital Projects

Our growing Capital Projects team are looking for an experienced Head of Capital Projects to join us at an incredibly exciting time for Unite Students. Capital Projects are key to supporting the growth, sustainability, and operational needs of Unite Students by investing in the physical infrastructure and facilities of our estate. Your role will be to lead the Capital Projects Team to manage and oversee the planning, execution, and completion of the Capital Investments Plan across our estate, which is intended to create, upgrade, and maintain assets with long-term value. The Capital Projects Team will ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and provide assurance that all required quality, compliance and regulatory standards are met.

The Head of Capital Projects is a key leadership role in overseeing the development, planning, execution, and delivery of capital projects. This role will lead and develop a high performing Capital Projects team, as well as collaborating with other senior leaders across the business to deliver a coordinated capital planning strategy.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and manage a portfolio of capital projects, including the planning, design, and construction of new PBSA buildings, refurbishments, and major upgrades to existing assets.
• Oversee the full project lifecycle from concept through to completion, ensuring timely and efficient delivery.
• Establish project goals, timelines, and budget forecasts, ensuring that projects are delivered within scope and cost parameters.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of project managers, engineers, and contractors.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (finance, operations, development, etc.) to align capital projects with business goals and customer needs.
• Work closely with external consultants, contractors, architects, and other third-party service providers to ensure smooth project execution.
• Develop and manage the capital project budget, ensuring financial control and cost optimization throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide strategic guidance on future capital investments, ensuring that projects align with the company’s growth plans, market trends, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all projects comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, including health and safety, sustainability, and planning approval processes.
• Implement best practices for quality control, risk management, and safety on all projects.
• Drive sustainability initiatives in capital projects, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into project designs and delivery.
• Seek out innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies that improve the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of our properties.
• Provide regular project updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders, including progress reports, financial updates, and risk assessments.

What We’re Looking for in You

• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Excellent problem-solving abilities
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Budget management and cost control
• Knowledge of construction and engineering practices
• Risk management and mitigation
• Knowledge of building regulations, health and safety, and sustainability standards
• High level of proficiency in project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project, Procore, etc.)
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Full UK driving licence.

What You’ll Get in Return

• A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company’s success
• 25 days’ paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
• A generous pension scheme - employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
• Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
• Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents
• Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK’s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn’t just what we do but who we are. People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone We’re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we’re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people.

Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what’s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us. We are US.