At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the vision for King's health and life sciences estates, driving strategic development and innovation.
- Company: King's College London, a leader in health and life sciences education and research.
- Benefits: Part-time role with flexible hours, competitive salary, and a focus on sustainability.
- Why this job: Shape the future of health education and research while making a real impact in the community.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in academic strategy and stakeholder engagement.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to inclusive innovation and sustainable development.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About us: King's 2030 strategy commits us to growing and developing our strength areas, and Health and Life Sciences are key priorities, leveraging the academic excellence of our health faculties, our NHS partnerships (via King's Health Partners), and place-based presence to deliver world-leading research, education and impact.
Our estate, often embedded in healthcare infrastructure and at the heart of the SC1 innovation ecosystem, presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of translational research and infrastructure, interdisciplinary education and student experience, inclusive innovation and population health.
Reporting to the SVP (Health and Life Sciences), Professor Graham Lord, this role seeks a senior academic leader to define and drive the vision for the next generation of King's estates, as relevant to health and life sciences. The role-holder will work closely with a number of stakeholders including the Associate Principal (Campus Futures) and health faculty leadership to oversee the development of our academic strategy for campus development, delivered through the Campus Futures Programme, to integrate our institutional ambitions in health and life sciences with NHS priorities, SC1 innovation opportunities, and the city's wider health and economic growth agenda.
The postholder will ensure that our estate (particularly Denmark Hill, London Bridge and Waterloo, including St Thomas' Hospital), enables and accelerates the full spectrum of academic activity, from early-phase research and student experience to enterprise generation and clinical innovation, whilst supporting inclusive growth, digital transformation and space optimisation.
About the role: The postholder will report to the SVP for Health and Life Sciences, with a dotted line to the Assistant Principal (Campus Futures). Key stakeholders include the Health Faculty Executive Deans and Directors of Operations, and SVPs (Academic) and (Operations), and the Assistant Principal (Innovation).
Key responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and deliver a strategic vision for King's health and life sciences estates, to enable delivery of King's 2030 strategy, Health+, SC1 London, and NHS partner ambitions. Ensure integration with broader campus initiatives (including through Campus Futures), and translation of strategic priorities into actionable plans that optimise resources, enhance student experience, support world-class education and research, and support our innovation agenda.
- Navigate Multi-Stakeholder Governance: Work across King's internal committees and joint KCL-NHS Trust partnership governance structures. Ensure transparent decision-making, shared ownership, and timely progress across all stakeholder groups while participating actively in the overarching Campus Futures Health Programme Board and overseeing/participating in any specific project delivery boards.
- Represent King's in key external forums and place-based partnerships: e.g. SC1 London, NHS infrastructure planning, and London's life sciences growth agenda. Champion inclusive innovation by ensuring campus developments promote equitable access to research, education, and health outcomes for underrepresented communities.
- Academic Integration & Innovation: Foster future-facing academic and clinical collaboration by developing flexible, integrated health campus spaces that support interdisciplinary education, digital learning, and research in partnership with NHS and faculties. Provide visible leadership and a compelling narrative, engaging the King's community while driving productivity and efficiency in space use aligned with broader university initiatives.
- Operational Excellence & Sustainability: Ensure operational and financial coherence of the health campus strategy through close collaboration across estates, finance, planning, digital, and research infrastructure teams, while supporting strategic investment and funding proposals to advance sustainable long-term development. Embed environmental sustainability and resilience into all planning, aligning with the NHS Green Plan and the King's Sustainability Strategy to deliver measurable improvements in performance.
- Performance, Risk & Community engagement: Establish robust performance frameworks to track outcomes against strategic priorities, provide visible leadership and community engagement, ensuring all stakeholders at King's and our partners are well-informed, consulted, and engaged throughout the programme, and proactively manage risks, issues, and dependencies, working closely with central functions e.g. Campus Futures Programme Management Office and King's Portfolio Office.
This is a part-time post, offered at 0.2 – 0.4 FTE to be agreed with the successful candidate. You will be offered a fixed-term contract for 3 years.
Academic Director of Estates Strategy in London employer: Kings College London
Contact Detail:
Kings College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Academic Director of Estates Strategy in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to colleagues and connections within King’s to express your interest in the Academic Director of Estates Strategy role. A friendly chat can go a long way in making you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Brush up on your knowledge about King’s 2030 strategy and how it aligns with health and life sciences. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to shaping the future of our estates.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've successfully navigated multi-stakeholder governance or championed inclusive innovation. We want to see how you can drive our vision forward.
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at King’s.
We think you need these skills to ace Academic Director of Estates Strategy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Academic Director of Estates Strategy role. Highlight your relevant experience in health and life sciences, and how it aligns with King's 2030 strategy.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about strategic leadership, so don’t hold back on showcasing your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to navigate multi-stakeholder governance and drive innovation.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Make sure your points are easy to understand and get straight to the point. Avoid jargon unless it's necessary, and keep your language professional yet approachable.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll find all the details you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kings College London
✨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to really understand King's 2030 strategy and how it relates to health and life sciences. Be prepared to discuss your vision for the future of estates in this area and how you can contribute to the strategic goals.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Familiarise yourself with the key stakeholders mentioned in the job description. Think about how you would navigate multi-stakeholder governance and ensure transparent decision-making. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with diverse groups in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a senior academic leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style. Be ready to share specific instances where you've fostered collaboration and innovation in academic settings, particularly in health and life sciences.
✨Emphasise Sustainability
Given the focus on environmental sustainability in the role, come prepared with ideas on how to embed sustainability into campus planning. Discuss any previous experience you have in aligning projects with sustainability strategies, especially in relation to NHS initiatives.