At a Glance
- Tasks: Co-lead UCL's long-term estates strategy and optimise space for future needs.
- Company: Join a prestigious university in London with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the university's estate for 47,000 students and 13,000 staff.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for significant influence and career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 28 - 40 £ per hour.
Pay Rate: up to £38.97 per hour PAYE
Location: London
Start Date: Feb 2026
Contract Length: 12 months
About the role
As Senior Estates Strategy Manager, you will co‐lead the development and implementation of UCL's long‐term estates strategy—ensuring our estate evolves to meet future academic, research and student needs. You'll champion a strategic, holistic and customer‐focused approach to space, collaborating across faculties, professional services and Estates teams to ensure the effective allocation, utilisation and transformation of space across the university. This is a high‐impact role, influencing major decisions, shaping strategic investment, and helping deliver a resilient, sustainable and inspiring estate for our 47,000 students and 13,000 staff.
Key responsibilities
- Strategic estates planning
- Co‐lead the development and implementation of the UCL Estates Vision and associated strategies.
- Develop short, medium and long‐term consolidation and space optimisation plans at portfolio and building level.
- Lead research, innovation and feasibility work relating to space, utilisation and new ways of working.
- Space strategy & data leadership
- Create and implement space norms, metrics and policies to drive effective space management.
- Collate, analyse and present complex space and utilisation data to inform strategic decisions.
- Advise faculties and academic departments on improving space efficiency and experience.
- Stakeholder engagement & business case development
- Engage extensively with academic leaders, Estates teams and students to understand needs and shape solutions.
- Develop strategic and outline business cases and guide these through internal governance.
- Manage and lead space‐related forums across schools and faculties.
- Project and programme support
- Shape the early stages of projects (typically up to RIBA Stage 1), ensuring clarity and alignment with strategy.
- Work closely with PMO, Property & Asset Management, Workplace, Space Data, and project delivery teams to ensure smooth transitions from feasibility through to implementation.
- Contribute to post‐project reviews and continuous improvement.
About you
You will bring the professional expertise and strategic capability to influence senior leaders, drive complex change, and deliver high‐quality Estates strategy work in a large, multifaceted organisation.
Essential skills and experience
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills.
- Strong analytical ability, including interpreting and presenting complex data.
- A collaborative approach, with experience working with diverse stakeholders at all levels.
- Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and delivering high‐quality customer service.
- Ability to evaluate information quickly, identify key issues and make sound recommendations.
- Experience following through on commitments and making informed, sometimes difficult decisions.
Desirable
- Degree‐level education and/or a relevant professional qualification.
- Experience in space strategy, space management, complex project management, or property strategy.
- Budget management, business planning or business administration experience.
- Knowledge of procurement, contract management or supply chain management.
- Experience with change management and developing systems or processes.
Senior Estates Strategy Manager in London employer: Guidant Global
Contact Detail:
Guidant Global Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estates Strategy Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those at UCL or similar institutions. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in estates strategy. Show that you’re not just a candidate, but someone who’s genuinely passionate about shaping the future of space management.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to be able to clearly articulate how your experience aligns with the role. Think about specific examples where you've influenced change or improved space efficiency.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estates Strategy Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Estates Strategy Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in strategic estates planning and stakeholder engagement, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills—demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work that illustrate your excellent communication, analytical ability, and collaborative approach. We want to see how you’ve made an impact in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex data and strategies.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Guidant Global
✨Know Your Strategy Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand UCL's long-term estates strategy and how it aligns with the role of Senior Estates Strategy Manager. Familiarise yourself with their current projects and challenges, so you can discuss how your experience can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your ability to interpret and present complex data. Bring examples of how you've used data to inform strategic decisions in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with diverse stakeholders, from academic leaders to students. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated with various teams to achieve a common goal.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Consider potential challenges UCL might face in space management and how you would approach them strategically.