SOAS - Assistant Director of Estates – Property Services

SOAS - Assistant Director of Estates – Property Services

Assistant Director of Estates Property Services Candidate Information Pack

Contents

Introduction

Background and Key Facts

Job Description

Person Specification

Benefits

How to Apply

Introduction

Welcome message from Rychard Scrase Field, Director of Estates and Property Services, SOAS University of London Thank you for considering an application for the position of Assistant Director of Estates at SOAS University of London. SOAS is a unique institution, a University dedicated to the study of the human condition with a special focus on Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It is dedicated to a study of the planetary questions of our historical moment, but it tries to understand these from the perspective of the Global South. In fulfilling this mandate, SOAS has brought together an incredible array of scholars, students and professionals who are dedicated to academic excellence and social justice, all of whom are intent on changing our world for the better. A short while ago SOAS confronted a financial crisis. But with timely intervention and bold decisions by a transitional team, the institution has very quickly turned this loss into a small profit. It has also brought in a new executive team including a new director. This team has initiated a strategic planning exercise to develop a new academic agenda for the 21st century and to consolidate the firm financial foundation which has recently been developed.

With space at a premium in central London, meeting expectations of staff and students for a quality learning environment is a key requirement for SOAS. Campus services are also in an important front-line position, so the role of SOAS estates is a vital one. Our Assistant Director is a key position in ensuring that we deliver as a service. Reporting to the Director of Estates and Property Services, the Assistant Director of Estates will be expected to lead a professional team and deliver a fit for purpose service to support the teaching and research agenda of the school. We are particularly interested in individuals who are passionate about making a difference in customer service; ensuring we achieve high standards to meet the needs of our staff and students; and in strengthening a team within a University committed to social justice, and thereby making a significant impact on the UK and the world. If this agenda is of interest, and your skillsets and experience speak to our mandate, we would welcome an application from you.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Background

Celebrating more than 100 years of research and teaching excellence, SOAS University of London is a unique institution specialising in the study of Africa, Asia, and the Near and Middle East.

About SOAS SOAS is a remarkable institution. With our vast repository of knowledge and expertise on our specialist regions, we are particularly well-placed to inform and shape current thinking about the economic, political, cultural, security and religious challenges of our world. Our programmes are taught by respected academics engaged in fieldwork and research which influences government policies and the lives of individuals across the globe. SOAS scholars engage with the pressing issues confronting humankind today: democracy, development, economy, finance, language, public and corporate policy, human rights, migration, identity, legal systems, poverty, religion, and social change. SOAS is home to some of the world’s leading experts and researchers in these regions who are regularly interviewed by the international media including the BBC, ITN, Reuters and CNN. They act as advisors, commentators

and consultants to government departments and non-governmental organisations, as well as the private sector and multinational companies. Through its research excellence, the School has gained a global reputation as a leading institution for the study of these regions, a reputation which is reflected in its diverse staff and student community. The library is one of just five National Research Libraries in the country and houses the world’s largest concentration of scholarly works on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Amongst its 1.5 million items, the library has many treasures including a 9th century Tibetan prayer book, priceless Japanese scrolls and original colonial maps of Africa drawn in the 19th century. Approximately 5,200 students from 133 countries study at undergraduate and postgraduate level, 40 per cent of whom are from outside the UK. 4,000 students around the world study through distance learning programmes.

We have a well-established and active alumni community in more than 180 countries who are involved in hosting events around the world each year. The many high-profile alumni include world leaders, human rights lawyers, politicians, diplomats, journalists, museum curators, philosophers and writers, many of whom have helped bring about change to improve the world in which we live. As an institution set up 100 years ago with a clear colonial mission, SOAS has been leading work towards decolonising education, by reviewing its curricula and tackling the awarding gap for BAME students. Further information about SOAS can be obtained from our website at www.soas.ac.uk .

Key Facts The world’s leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East • World-class research and teaching expertise, equipping people for a global economy and multicultural society. Specialist and interdisciplinary strengths • 200+ undergraduate degree combinations; 200+ postgraduate programmes (taught and distance learning) with a distinctive regional focus and global relevance. • First in UK and fifth in the world for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” (THE Impact Rankings 2020) . • SOAS rose by seven places to 37th in the Complete University Guide 2021 . • Ranked in the World Top 50 for Arts and Humanities (QS World Rankings by Subject 2020) . Unrivalled range of non-European languages • All SOAS languages may be studied without prior knowledge.

• Ranked eighth in the UK for Modern Languages (QS 2020) .

Intimate and ambitious • 87% of students found staff good at explaining things and their course intellectually stimulating (National Student Survey 2020) . • SOAS Law graduates rank second highest for graduate pay in the UK, ahead of Cambridge and Oxford ( Chambers Student 2019) . First class facilities • One of only five National Research Libraries in the UK; 1.5 million volumes, periodicals and audio-visual materials in 400 languages, focusing on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. • 90% of students think that Library resources have supported their learning well (National Student Survey 2019) . The world meets SOAS • 5,200 students from 133 countries on campus. • 4,000 students around the world on distance learning programmes.

• 39,000 active alumni worldwide.

Job Description

Job Title:

Assistant Director of Estates – Property Services

Department:

Estates and Facilities

Hours:

35 hours per week (full time – 1.00 FTE) Director of Estates and Property services

Responsible to: Responsible for:

Campus Services Manager and Security and Risk Co-ordinator Department Background

The Estates and Facilities Directorate is responsible for the delivery of the Estates and Infrastructure Strategy which covers the areas of major construction and refurbishment projects; facilities operation and space management, including on campus commercial activates and energy management. The Directorate aims to ensure that the quality, functionality and operation of the estate and its associated infrastructure meets the needs of its users and supports the activities of SOAS.

Job Summary To manage both staff, systems and budgets in order to deliver value for money and cost effective facilities management across SOAS. To provide strategic direction and leadership to Campus Services and Facilities demonstrating broad, clear and innovative thinking with the objective of delivering operational excellence. Reporting to the Director of Estates and property services, it will be necessary to work closely with the assistant director of capital and infrastructure to ensure that a seamless provision of service is planned and delivered from an operational and strategic viewpoint.

Key Tasks • To lead and promote Campus Services and Facilities (Security, Cleaning, Logistics, Reception, Helpdesk and, external Hospitality) as business units ensuring that Section Managers take responsibility for a Quality, customer focused service whilst improving productivity and cost effectiveness. • Ensure that accurate management information to measure outcomes and Performance >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32

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