Estates Operations Manager

The University of Derby Estates Department is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable campus environment that supports our passion for delivering world‑class education and cutting‑edge research. The Estates team has over 250 colleagues, working across all of our sites on everything from the refurbishment of buildings to catering.

The Estate Operations Manager provides professional coordination and oversight for all facilities, space and infrastructure activities within the Nuclear Skills Academy and Infinity Prototype Centre. The role ensures that environments are safe, well‑managed and able to support high‑quality teaching, research and operational activity. Acting as the key intermediary between academic staff, occupiers, Facilities Management contractors and the University Estates team, this role will hold responsibility for building management and the safety and security of users of the facilities.

The post holder will represent University requirements, coordinate planned and reactive projects, oversee maintenance, statutory compliance, process development and the provision of accurate management information, ensuring alignment with University policy, priorities and assurance frameworks. You will ensure compliance with all relevant Health & Safety and statutory requirements, while overseeing daily operational delivery through the TFM contractor across waste, cleaning, visitor management and building maintenance.

You will engage with key stakeholders, review monthly performance data to support effective Service Level Agreement management, and plan resources up to three months ahead using Gantt charts and CAFM‑based PPM schedules. The role also includes preparing quarterly risk reports, contributing to Health & Safety meetings and audits, and supporting ISO 14001 compliance. You will manage small works projects, ensuring coordination with contractors and adherence to legislation, while maintaining regular communication with building occupiers to resolve issues proactively.

About You: You have strong experience managing complex buildings, overseeing Facilities Contracts and coordinating a multi‑skilled workforce across maintenance and small project works. You’re confident managing events and VIP visits, ensuring stakeholders are aligned and visitor needs met. You can analyse operational data to support informed decisions and service improvements. You bring solid IT capability, including MS Project and Excel, and you communicate clearly in writing and speech. You understand Building Regulations and Health & Safety requirements, and you build strong working relationships. Your approach to problem‑solving is creative, and you motivate teams while encouraging continuous improvement.

You meet key business requirements, including the ability to hold or obtain Security Clearance and an Enhanced DBS check, and the flexibility to support University events – some outside normal working hours. You’re highly motivated, customer‑focused, and able to travel between sites as needed. You may also bring desirable strengths such as professional membership (e.g. CIOB, CMI, MIOSH), project management qualifications like PRINCE2 or APM, experience in contract administration or trades, work within Further/Higher Education, or familiarity with CAFM systems.

Important Information: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post. To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage. The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role.