At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the future of campus infrastructure and facilities at Edinburgh Napier University.
- Company: Join a modern, ambitious university with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive executive package, generous pension, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive meaningful transformation and enhance campus experience.
- Why this job: Shape the university's estate strategy and leave a lasting legacy.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in estates leadership within complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Edinburgh (multi-campus)
Salary: Competitive executive package including generous pension, annual leave and a comprehensive benefits offering
Reports to: Director of Finance, Strategy & Planning
Edinburgh Napier University is seeking an outstanding senior leader to shape and deliver the future of its estate, infrastructure and campus experience. This is a pivotal executive-level role with enterprise-wide impact, offering the opportunity to lead a large, multi-disciplinary function and deliver a modern, sustainable and financially resilient estate aligned to an ambitious institutional strategy.
The Role
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will set the strategic direction for Property & Facilities and play a central role in enabling the University’s long-term ambitions. You will lead one of the University’s largest professional services functions, with responsibility for estate strategy, capital investment, facilities management and a diverse portfolio of commercial services. Operating within a complex, resource-conscious environment, you will balance ambition with pragmatism, shaping an estate that is both future-ready and financially sustainable. This includes driving innovation in how space is utilised, aligning estate strategy with operational demand, and ensuring assets are deployed to maximise both organisational and commercial value. The role will require a thoughtful and strategic approach to estate optimisation, including the potential reshaping of the University’s campus footprint to better reflect future teaching, working and financial models. You will bring a strong understanding of how complex, multi-site organisations operate, including the relationship between operational delivery, space utilisation and long-term estate planning. Experience of aligning estate strategy to demand, whether in education, public services or similarly complex environments, will be highly valued. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring credibility at executive and Board level, alongside the ability to lead complex change with clarity, pace and sensitivity.
Key Responsibilities
- Set and deliver a forward-looking, financially sustainable estate strategy
- Lead major capital programmes, estate optimisation and long-term asset planning
- Drive innovative approaches to space utilisation, cost efficiency and service delivery
- Provide executive leadership across estates, facilities, accommodation and commercial services
- Lead transformation to create a more agile, efficient and insight-led operating model
- Enhance commercial performance while ensuring the estate effectively supports core organisational activity and demand
- Act as a trusted advisor to Executive and Court on estate investment, strategy and risk
- Build strong partnerships internally and across the sector
- Represent the University at senior external forums and networks
- Lead and embed a high-performing, inclusive and values-led culture
About You
You will be an experienced executive leader with a strong track record in estates, property or infrastructure leadership within a complex, values-driven organisation. We are interested in leaders who have operated in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, such as higher education, the public sector or similarly regulated settings, and who are comfortable balancing strategic ambition with financial constraint. You will bring:
- Significant experience shaping and delivering estate strategies in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
- A track record of delivering impact in financially constrained or resource-sensitive settings
- Experience leading estate optimisation, rationalisation or campus-wide transformation, including footprint reduction or reconfiguration
- Experience aligning estate strategy with operational delivery and demand, including space utilisation, service planning or equivalent in a complex organisation
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to prioritise investment and drive value
- Experience operating at, or influencing, Board and Executive level
- Deep understanding of sustainability, asset lifecycle management and long-term estate planning
- Outstanding stakeholder leadership, communication and influencing capability
- The ability to lead organisations through change with credibility, empathy and clarity
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future footprint and experience of a modern, ambitious university. You will have the scope to lead meaningful transformation, balancing strategic ambition with financial reality, and to leave a lasting institutional legacy. Ready to lead at this level? We welcome applications from candidates motivated by scale, complexity and the opportunity to deliver creative, high-impact solutions in a resource-conscious environment.
Director of Property & Facilities in Dunfermline employer: Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive executive package alongside generous benefits such as a robust pension and ample annual leave. The university fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, providing significant opportunities for professional growth and the chance to lead transformative projects that shape the future of its campuses. Located in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, employees benefit from a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and sustainability in higher education.
Contact Details:
Edinburgh Napier University Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Property & Facilities in Dunfermline
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like Edinburgh Napier University, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
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If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like Edinburgh Napier University and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
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We think you need these skills to ace Director of Property & Facilities in Dunfermline
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Edinburgh Napier University and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Edinburgh Napier University
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Edinburgh Napier University, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Edinburgh Napier University.
