Estates Associate Director

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is seeking an exceptional senior leader to join as Associate Director, Estate Operations. In this pivotal role, you will drive excellence across our national research estate, lead sustainability initiatives, and ensure our world-class facilities continue to enable groundbreaking science. If you are passionate about strategic leadership, innovation, and building resilient, sustainable environments, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape the future of MRC’s research estate. The Associate Director, MRC Estate will play a pivotal role within the senior management team, providing strategic leadership and assurance that MRC facilities are compliant, safe, secure, and capable of enabling world-leading research. You will act as deputy to the Director of Capital and Estate, overseeing cross-functional workstreams, and contributing to UKRI-wide estates initiatives. You will be responsible for health and safety, business continuity, physical security, and environmental sustainability across the MRC estate. You will work closely with Institute Directors, COOs, and other stakeholders to drive continuous improvement, manage risk, and deliver on strategic goals. This role involves regular interaction with senior stakeholders across MRC and UKRI and requires occasional UK and international travel.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the MRC Estates Plan 2025–2030, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.
• Provide strategic direction to workstream leads, identifying and overcoming challenges and managing risks proactively.
• Oversee health and safety, physical security, and business continuity across all MRC-owned facilities, working closely with COOs and reporting quarterly to MRC SET and UKRI Health, Safety and Mitigation Committee.
• Act as Deputy for the Director of Capital and Estate at internal and external meetings and on the MRC Estates Oversight Board.
• Manage the MRC Estates risk register, ensuring timely updates, effective mitigation plans, and escalation of significant risks.
• Oversee the estates budget in partnership with MRC finance teams, ensuring robust financial management and reporting.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies for building maintenance and improvement.
• Oversee budgeting and financial planning for building projects and maintenance activities.
• Lead and develop assurance processes to ensure compliance and continuous improvement across the estate.
• Collaborate with the MRC Programme Director for Environmental Sustainability to integrate Net Zero goals into estates planning and operations.
• Engage with internal and external partners to deliver infrastructure projects and influence policy development at UKRI level.
• Support investment panels by providing assessments of operational and environmental impacts.
• Champion an inclusive, safe, and sustainable research environment.

Person Specification

The below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)

Essential:

• Demonstrable personal integrity and ability to achieve security vetting at DV level. (S)
• Extensive experience managing scientific research estates, particularly in health and safety, security, and business continuity (S).
• Strong understanding of regulatory and statutory requirements affecting life sciences facilities (S).
• Proven project and programme management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-level initiatives (I).
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders (I).
• Excellent communication and reporting skills, with a focus on transparency and clarity (S).
• In-depth knowledge of UK health and safety law and estates-related compliance requirements (S).
• Practical knowledge of relevant standards and landlord obligations (I).
• Experience in financial management, including estates budgets (I).
• Commitment to ongoing professional development for self and team members (I).
• High IT literacy, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and SHE reporting systems (S).
• Flexible and proactive approach, with willingness to travel as required (I).

Desirable: (optional)

• Formal project management qualification (Prince 2, Agile, etc.) (S)
• Technical qualifications relevant to this role (S)
• Experience of working in the research & innovation sector (S)

How to apply: Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role. A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.