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- Tasks: Lead planning for UCL's Capital Works Programme and manage complex development projects.
- Company: UCL, a leading global university with a diverse and vibrant community.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, gym access, and employee support services.
- Why this job: Shape UCL's physical environment and make a real impact on campus development.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning large-scale construction projects and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
The UCL Estate comprises over 240 buildings, more than 6.5 million square feet of academic accommodation and around 4500 owned student bedrooms. The location, scale, variety and complexity of the estate are unparalleled in the Higher Education sector, including world-leading research, teaching, offices and student accommodation within our Bloomsbury and UCL East campus, at Stratford.
Together, Campus Experience and Infrastructure and Estates Development (CE&I and ED) is responsible for managing all aspects of the UCL Estate from the strategic to the operational, including property asset management, master-planning, capital projects and seamless end to end operational support. The function comprises approximately 350 FM and property professionals, project managers and customer facing operational colleagues. From providing student accommodation, security and catering, to delivering an estates masterplan and all forms of capital projects in a sustainable manner. We are a collective of technical professionals who work together to deliver a resilient, functional, and vibrant estate.
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Planning to play a pivotal leadership role within the Capital Projects Programme team. Reporting to the Director of Estates Development, Capital Programme, you will lead the planning (programme and schedule) function for UCL's Capital Works Programme and wider Estates Development portfolio.
The Capital Programme team oversees the delivery of all capital works across the UCL Estate, from inception through to operational handover. This includes refurbishment, adaptation and new build projects, as well as infrastructure and public realm works. Our projects are highly bespoke, designed and delivered to industry-leading standards, and play a critical role in shaping UCL's physical environment. The team also leads the development of Built Environment Opportunities, identifying and progressing property initiatives that deliver exceptional buildings and places for UCL.
In this role, you will establish and lead a robust, portfolio-wide planning function, working closely with PMO colleagues, Project Officers and Project Managers to plan ahead for stage-gate reviews and coordinate engagement across the wider Estates function. You will be responsible for capturing and maintaining an accurate, integrated programme overview across all works, setting the programme-wide planning and reporting model, and working with programme leadership to challenge performance and drive improvement. You will also partner closely with the Estates Leadership Team to manage and optimise the estates pipeline programme.
You will bring demonstrable experience of leading and delivering the planning function across a large and complex portfolio of development and construction projects, spanning both early development and delivery stages. You will be comfortable working across the full project lifecycle and will have a strong understanding of how effective planning underpins successful programme delivery.
You will hold an HNC, degree or equivalent qualification in a construction-related discipline, or relevant trade qualifications, and will be able to operate confidently at both a strategic portfolio level and at detailed project level. You will thrive in environments characterised by ambiguity and complex interdependencies, using sound judgement and professional expertise to manage competing priorities and evolving requirements.
You will have demonstrable experience of working with a range of contract forms, including JCT and NEC, alongside a strong understanding of the RIBA process. You will be experienced in reporting to Executive and Board-level governance and will be adept at using accurate, insightful programme information to inform decision-making and drive improved performance.
You will have excellent working knowledge of industry-standard planning software, such as Asta Powerproject and/or Primavera, and will be a confident and effective communicator. You will be able to convey complex or technical information clearly and persuasively, both in writing and verbally, to a wide range of stakeholders, including non-specialist audiences.
Experience of working within a Higher Education and/or infrastructure environment would be highly advantageous.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Head of Planning (Estates) employer: UCL
Contact Detail:
UCL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Planning (Estates)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at UCL through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the role and help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into UCL's projects and values. Show us that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about shaping the estate.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to convey complex ideas clearly, so grab a friend and do some mock interviews. The clearer you are, the more confident we’ll feel about you.
✨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 us you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Planning (Estates)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific requirements of the Head of Planning role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your past roles, focus on your experience in leading planning functions and managing complex projects. We want to see how you've successfully navigated similar challenges in your previous positions.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant, and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application is processed correctly and gives us a chance to review it thoroughly. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at UCL
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into UCL's recent capital projects and their impact on the estate. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their bespoke project delivery and how you can contribute to shaping UCL's physical environment.
✨Master the Planning Tools
Familiarise yourself with industry-standard planning software like Asta Powerproject and Primavera. Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with these tools and how they can enhance the planning function for UCL's complex portfolio.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice conveying complex information in a straightforward manner. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so think of examples where you've done this successfully.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading planning functions across large portfolios. Prepare examples that showcase your strategic thinking and ability to manage competing priorities, especially in ambiguous environments, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
