Associate Director in Cambridge

Associate Director in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Astute People

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead complex real estate projects and build trusted client relationships.
  • Company: Join a leading professional services consultancy in Cambridge/East Anglia.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, pension, and flexible hybrid working.
  • Other info: Opportunities for growth and varied project exposure across multiple sectors.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in real estate while developing your career with a supportive team.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in project management with strong leadership and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

Astute is partnering with a leading professional services consultancy to recruit an Associate Director for its Cambridge / East Anglia office. The strategically important Associate Director (Real Estate) role comes with a salary of approximately £85,000, £5,700 annual car allowance and flexible hybrid working.

If you're an experienced Associate Director, Project Manager or senior real estate project leader and are looking to work for an organisation that gives people the opportunity to influence the business, build trusted client relationships and take ownership of their careers, then submit your CV to apply today.

Responsibilities and duties of the Associate Director - Real Estate role:

  • Lead the end-to-end delivery of complex real estate projects, ensuring agreed time, cost, quality and performance objectives are achieved.
  • Act as the senior day-to-day client interface, building trusted relationships and translating client objectives into effective delivery strategies.
  • Provide strategic advice from project conception through to delivery.
  • Establish and maintain effective project governance, controls, processes and reporting systems.
  • Prepare and maintain detailed project plans, programmes and formal progress reports.
  • Monitor project performance using appropriate KPIs and implement corrective action where required.
  • Manage change control, project finances, budgets, risks and programme performance.
  • Champion quality, safety, health and environmental requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Lead, mentor and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams.
  • Develop new opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
  • Identify cross-selling opportunities and contribute to business growth.
  • Support the preparation of bids and proposals and represent the business at client pitches and relationship-development meetings.
  • Identify opportunities to improve project management services and ways of working.

Professional qualifications:

  • Approximately 8+ years of relevant project management experience, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility.
  • A strong track record of delivering substantial real estate projects, budgets and programmes.
  • Consultancy-side or client-side experience in a strategic, client-facing project management position.
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing senior stakeholders.
  • Strong commercial judgement, including financial control, change management and risk management.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advise, influence and present at senior level.
  • A relevant degree in construction, engineering, real estate or project management, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
  • Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally when required.
  • APM qualification or professional membership such as RICS, PMI or CIOB would be advantageous.
  • Experience in life sciences, healthcare or commercial property would be beneficial.
  • Experience supporting bids, pitches, account growth or cross-selling would be desirable.
  • Current or previous security clearance, including Ministry of Justice clearance, would be advantageous but is not essential.

Personal skills:

  • Commercially aware and strategically minded.
  • Confident operating at senior level with clients and stakeholders.
  • An experienced leader who can motivate, mentor and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong at building trusted client relationships.
  • Highly organised, with excellent project governance and delivery skills.
  • Comfortable managing complex projects, budgets, programmes, risks and change.
  • A clear and persuasive communicator with strong influencing skills.
  • Proactive in identifying new business and growth opportunities.
  • Collaborative, adaptable and committed to delivering high-quality client outcomes.
  • Comfortable working across a varied regional portfolio and travelling as project requirements dictate.

Salary and benefits of the Associate Director - Real Estate role:

  • Approximately £85,000 salary, subject to experience.
  • £5,700 annual car allowance.
  • 8% pension contribution.
  • Discretionary annual bonus of up to 10%.
  • Annual salary and grade reviews.
  • Flexible start and finish times by agreement with the line manager.
  • Hybrid working, typically around three days per week in the office or on client site, with the balance potentially worked from home.
  • Varied project exposure across Cambridge and the wider East Anglia market, including life sciences, healthcare and commercial real estate.
  • Opportunities to lead teams, develop client relationships and contribute to business growth.

Astute People are acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy. We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and comply with all relevant UK legislation. We encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Astute is also committed to the government's Disability Confident Employer initiative. We endeavour to get back to everyone, however, if you have not heard anything after 7 days, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Associate Director in Cambridge employer: Astute People

Join a leading consultancy in Cambridge that values innovation and excellence, offering a dynamic work culture where your expertise in project leadership will thrive. With competitive benefits including a strong bonus scheme, private healthcare, and a hybrid work model, you'll find ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment. This is not just a job; it's a chance to make a meaningful impact in the construction industry while enjoying a balanced work-life experience.

Astute People

Contact Details:

Astute People Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Director in Cambridge

Get Involved in Local Property Events

Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.

Connect with Local Agents on Social Media

Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Astute People.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach

Got your eye on a specific company like Astute People? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.

Utilise Property Management Platforms

Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Astute People's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director in Cambridge

Project Management
Client Relationship Management
Strategic Advice
Project Governance
Budget Management
Risk Management
Change Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!

Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!

Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Associate Director role at Astute People, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!

Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!

How to prepare for a job interview at Astute People

Know Your Market Trends

In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Astute People operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.

Showcase Your Connections

In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Astute People. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.

Demonstrate Technical Savvy

Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Astute People.