Interim Head of Facilities Management

FTE and Working Pattern: Full time, Fixed term for 2 years. Competitive Salary based on experience. Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff.

Overview

Heriot-Watt University is a distinctive, research-led institution with a truly global footprint. With campuses in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia, and a growing portfolio of international partnerships, the University operates within an increasingly complex academic, regulatory and commercial landscape. The Interim Head of Facilities Management will provide senior leadership at a pivotal moment, shaping the operational foundations that enable academic excellence, international growth and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Global Director of Estates and Facilities, the role will lead the strategic and operational delivery of Facilities Management services across a multi-campus, international estate.

This position sits at the intersection of global consistency and local responsiveness, ensuring diverse campuses and partnership environments are supported by clear standards, strong governance and high-quality service delivery. The focus of the interim period will be on stabilising and modernising Facilities Management operations, reviewing and strengthening service delivery models, and developing a clear roadmap for a future operating model capable of supporting international campus complexity and new partnership arrangements. Working closely with academic leaders, professional services colleagues and executive stakeholders, you will ensure Facilities Management actively supports teaching, research, student experience and collaborative activity with external partners. You will play a key role in ensuring the University’s estates are adaptable, compliant and resilient across different regulatory regimes, cultural contexts and operating environments.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of Facilities Management services across multiple UK and international campuses.
• Develop and implement a business improvement plan to modernise services, systems and operating models in line with global best practice in higher education.
• Establish clear, consistent standards for facilities operations, compliance and service performance across diverse international settings.
• Strengthen statutory compliance, health and safety performance and risk management across the estate, taking account of differing local regulatory requirements.
• Provide leadership across maintenance, works management, compliance, fabric, landscape and environmental services.
• Manage significant operational budgets and ensure value for money across in-house provision, contractors and partnership arrangements.
• Work closely with the Energy and Environment Operations Manager to embed sustainability and Net Zero principles across Facilities Management activities globally.
• Lead, motivate and develop multidisciplinary teams, building capability and resilience within a complex, distributed operating model.
• Act as a senior member of the Estates and Facilities leadership team, deputising for the Global Director of Estates and Facilities as required.
• Build effective relationships with Schools, Professional Services, international campus leadership teams and external partners.

Essential Criteria

• Significant senior-level experience in estates or facilities management within a large, complex organisation.
• A proven track record of leading service transformation and operational improvement, ideally within an HE or public sector context.
• Experience of working across multiple sites and jurisdictions, with an appreciation of international regulatory, cultural and operational complexity.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety legislation, statutory compliance and estate operations.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience managing substantial budgets and complex supplier and contract arrangements.
• The ability to lead and develop large, multidisciplinary teams within matrixed or distributed structures.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with credibility at executive level and confidence working with international partners.
• A clear commitment to service excellence, sustainability and enabling academic and research activity.
• Degree-level education in a relevant discipline and membership of a professional body (e.g. IWFM, NEBOSH, RICS or equivalent) are expected.

How to apply

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment. Applications can be submitted up to midnight UK time on Friday 27 February 2026.

For an informal discussion, please contact: Lynda Johnstone, Global Director of Estates and Facilities; Christina Lourenco, Talent Acquisition Lead.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. We value diversity across our university community and welcome applications from all sectors of society.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.