Senior Estates Strategy Manager

Job Title:
Senior Estates Strategy Manager
Pay Rate: up to £38.97 per hour PAYE

Location:

London

Start Date:

Feb 2026
Contract Length: 12 months

As Senior Estates Strategy Manager, you will co‑lead the development and implementation of UCL's long‑term estates strategy—ensuring our estate evolves to meet future academic, research and student needs. You'll champion a strategic, holistic and customer‑focused approach to space, collaborating across faculties, professional services and Estates teams to ensure the effective allocation, utilisation and transformation of space across the university. This is a high‑impact role, influencing major decisions, shaping strategic investment, and helping deliver a resilient, sustainable and inspiring estate for our 47,000 students and 13,000 staff.

In this role, you will:

• Co‑lead the development and implementation of the UCL Estates Vision and associated strategies.
• Develop short, medium and long‑term consolidation and space optimisation plans at portfolio and building level.
• Lead research, innovation and feasibility work relating to space, utilisation and new ways of working.

• Create and implement space norms, metrics and policies to drive effective space management.
• Collate, analyse and present complex space and utilisation data to inform strategic decisions.
• Advise faculties and academic departments on improving space efficiency and experience.

• Engage extensively with academic leaders, Estates teams and students to understand needs and shape solutions.
• Develop strategic and outline business cases and guide these through internal governance.
• Manage and lead space‑related forums across schools and faculties.

• Shape the early stages of projects (typically up to RIBA Stage
  1), ensuring clarity and alignment with strategy.
• Work closely with PMO, Property & Asset Management, Workplace, Space Data, and project delivery teams to ensure smooth transitions from feasibility through to implementation.
• Contribute to post‑project reviews and continuous improvement.

You will bring the professional expertise and strategic capability to influence senior leaders, drive complex change, and deliver high‑quality Estates strategy work in a large, multifaceted organisation.

• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical ability, including interpreting and presenting complex data.
• A collaborative approach, with experience working with diverse stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and delivering high‑quality customer service.
• Ability to evaluate information quickly, identify key issues and make sound recommendations.
• Experience following through on commitments and making informed, sometimes difficult decisions.

• Degree‑level education and/or a relevant professional qualification.
• Experience in space strategy, space management, complex project management, or property strategy.
• Budget management, business planning or business administration experience.
• Knowledge of procurement, contract management or supply chain management.
• Experience with change management and developing systems or processes.

Guidant, Carbon
60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.