At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic oversight of the Estates project portfolio and implement best practices.
- Company: Join the University of Sheffield, a world-class institution with a diverse community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41+ days of annual leave, flexible working, and generous pension schemes.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on campus facilities while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Portfolio Management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 61759 - 69488 £ per year.
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement, a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
Overview
The Department of Estates and Facilities Management (EFM) at the University of Sheffield is responsible for maintaining the University's buildings, facilities and grounds, managing its property and facilities and procuring new buildings. The EFM team is at the forefront of the University's strategic and capital programme - planning, managing and delivering developments and commitments that underpin its world‑class facilities. The Head of Estates PMO is a strategic leadership role within the EFM team designed to provide strategic oversight and quality control across the entire Estates project portfolio.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Establish, embed, and lead the cross‑Estates PMO function acting as the strategic lead.
- Develop standardised project management methodologies, templates and process flows for the Estates Team.
- Act as the strategic interface between Estates and the University's Governance Committees in relation to the portfolio and recommendations on portfolio health, strategic alignment, and future investment.
- Lead in formulating business cases and investment appraisals, ensuring they are regularly reviewed and aligned with strategic goals.
- Partner with peer Heads of function to facilitate and govern the portfolio prioritisation and selection process, utilising analytical data to ensure resources are reviewed and allocated to projects.
- Provide high‑level oversight of the entire Estates portfolio, monitoring progress to mitigate financial risks or delivery delays.
Portfolio Reporting & Financial Management
- Lead the production of high‑level, automated dashboards for the Estates Executive and University Governance groups on all Estates projects.
- Translate complex data into actionable insights on project status, risks, and portfolio‑level financial commitments.
- Manage the strategic interface with Capital Finance to establish a unified reporting framework aligning data structures and forecasting to provide an integrated view of both capital and revenue expenditure across the entire Estates portfolio.
- Implement robust financial management processes to track performance, manage risk, and achieve strategic objectives.
- Lead resource profiling and predictive models to forecast future staffing and consultancy requirements based on the five‑year capital plan.
- Lead the Post‑Project Evaluation process.
- Ensure lessons learned are formally captured and integrated back into the delivery process to enhance value for money and occupant satisfaction.
- Optimise the interfaces between project data and core University systems to ensure data integrity and reduce manual duplication.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate with Heads of service to align programme strategies and ensure resource allocation.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and technical mentorship to the PMO team, internal project delivery staff, sponsors, and teams to enhance departmental capability.
- Lead the strategic evolution of the PMO team to ensure the function remains responsive to changing requirements.
- Lead the development and delivery of project‑related training for internal teams.
Person Specification
- Relevant professional accreditation in Portfolio or Programme Management or significant equivalent experience.
- Proven experience within a Portfolio Management Office role coordinating a substantive capital project programme and managing a team of professional analysts.
- Expert knowledge of Portfolio, Programme, and Project Management principles and governance methodologies.
- Understanding of Estates management processes, including the asset lifecycle, capital planning and financial reporting.
- Experience in defining and embedding project governance, policy, and process at a strategic level.
- Demonstrable analytical and problem‑solving skills, with proven ability to design and execute complex data models for forecasting.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing portfolio‑level budgets and financial reporting.
- Demonstrable strategic leadership and decision‑making skills, with the ability to manage risk and provide expert guidance to senior management.
- Proven track record of developing Workforce or resource planning models within a project environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare and present high quality strategic reports and complex information to non‑specialist audiences.
- Able to work as a senior member of a multidisciplinary management team.
Further Information
- Grade: 9
- Salary: £61,759 to £69,488 per annum, with potential to progress to £80,524 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution.
- Work arrangement: Full Time
- Line manager: Associate Director, Development, Space & Property
- Website: www.shef.ac.uk
- Contact: Ashley Roberts, Associate Director, Development, Space & Property, ashley.roberts@sheffield.ac.uk
Benefits
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development.
- Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
- A range of generous family‑friendly policies.
- Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies.
- Access to menopause support in the workplace.
- Paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more.
We are a Disability Confident Leader. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Head of Estates Portfolio Management Office employer: Diversity Dashboard
The University of Sheffield is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and development of its staff, offering a competitive benefits package including generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to professional growth. With a vibrant work culture that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, employees are encouraged to engage in various staff networks and recognition programmes, making it a fulfilling environment for those seeking meaningful careers in higher education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates Portfolio Management Office
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Sheffield on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the role and the department. Understand the key projects and challenges the Estates team is facing. This way, you can showcase how your skills align perfectly with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in portfolio management can help the University achieve its strategic goals. Keep it concise and impactful – think of it as your personal brand statement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the University of Sheffield family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates Portfolio Management Office
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Estates PMO role. Highlight your relevant experience in portfolio management and how it aligns with the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about strategic leadership, so don’t hold back on sharing examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. We love to see candidates who can inspire and guide others, so let us know how you’ve done that!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our fantastic benefits there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diversity Dashboard
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Head of Estates PMO and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with the University of Sheffield's strategic goals and how the Estates team contributes to them. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their vision during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your strategic leadership experience, especially in managing a Portfolio Management Office. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams, developed methodologies, and ensured project governance in previous roles. This will show that you can step into this leadership position with confidence.
✨Data is Key
Since the role involves translating complex data into actionable insights, brush up on your analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decision-making and manage financial risks in past projects. Consider bringing examples of dashboards or reports you've created to illustrate your capabilities.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've collaborated with various stakeholders in your previous roles. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully aligned programme strategies or facilitated resource allocation. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively with different teams and senior management, which is crucial for this role.
