Staffordshire University - Assistant Director - Campus Oper…

Staffordshire University - Assistant Director - Campus Oper…

Assistant Director - Campus Operations Candidate Information pack

We are the Connected University. We’re connected to the needs of our students, to business and to society.

About Us Our city campus in Stoke-on-Trent is the University’s nerve centre. We deliver world class healthcare education at our specialist Centre of Excellence in Stafford. And a global network of more than 20,000 people study our degrees internationally. Our industry connections and emphasis on experience make our graduates among the most employable in the UK. A leading university for digital technologies, we are always building on our proud computing heritage and strong reputation for computer games courses. 78 per cent of our research is world leading or of international importance (Research Excellence Framework 2014). Our interdisciplinary network of research centres drive the publication of hundreds of papers each year.

The Masterplan

Staffordshire University has started a journey to implement an exciting Estates Masterplan over the next 10 years having completed the first phase with the recent of handover of its new £42m Catalyst Building, our New Centre of Health and Innovation at Stafford and our net Carbon Zero Nursery and Forest school. With our new Student Village at an advanced stage of planning we are now looking at our next ambitious buildings to ensure Staffordshire University remains at the forefront of delivering state of the art learning and teaching.

Job Description Job title: School/Service: Normal Workbase: Tenure: Hours/FTE: Grade/Salary: Date Prepared:

Assistant Director - Campus Operations Estates and Commercial Services Stoke Campus Permanent 1 FTE Grade 12 October 2021

Job Purpose

The role of the Assistant Director of Campus Operations will be responsible for the development, implementation and management of a first-class Facilities Management service, establishing quality communication mechanisms, excellent management information processes and procedures as well as delivery of excellent customer service standards to a wide customer base. A key requirement will be the ability to develop the in-house teams and deliver a strong sense of leadership, ensuring the University delivers the very best service levels and a strong engagement to cultural and behavioural change. Reporting to the Director of Estates and Commercial services, the Assistant Director of Campus Operations will lead provision of high quality, effective and value for money facilities services, including leading the maintenance and compliance teams in the delivery of the maintenance, statutory compliance functions, helpdesk, cleaning, security, portering, post, catering and commercial services, sports and active lifestyles and any other activities required to support the University’s operations across the Estate. Operating at both a strategic and operational level, the postholder will lead and motivate a large scale in-house team as well as external contracted services and associated budgets. More generally the role will ensure the team maintains its focus on delivering key University objectives and adopts a proactive, customer focused approach in the delivery of services which support high quality environments for students, staff and other stakeholders.

Relationships Reporting to: Responsible for:

Director of Estates and Commercial Services

Catalyst Building Manager Maintenance both buildings and grounds

Statutory Compliance / Helpdesk / Car Parking Security, Cleaning, Postal Services, Portering, Catering and Commercial services / Sports and Active Lifestyles

Main Activities 1. Lead and take overall management responsibility for the effective provision of:- • Maintenance of the University’s land and buildings – owned and leased – to support the University’s aims. • Ensuring that the University estate is compliant with statute in relation to Health and Safety in collaboration with the Health and Safety team and supporting the Director in providing advice to the Senior Leadership Team, Executive and the Board of Governors. • Ensuring all aspects of the department’s work are carried out in line with University Health and Safety requirements, statutory obligations and best practice requirements. • Deputise for the Director of Estates and Commercial Services as required and therefore taking responsibility for reporting to the Senior Leadership Team. • Developing and maintaining relationships with internal/external partners; and representing the University for Estates and Commercial Services as required. • Campus security services covering all areas of the estate [including halls of residence], including security patrols, incident management, emergency response, [security advice, police liaison]. • Provision of high quality, student and staff focused cleaning services (including the University’s residential accommodation portfolio) that respond to changing requirements and expectations over time. • Provision of efficient, customer focused post, delivery and courier services • Provision of efficient and effective portering service • Provision of efficient and effective helpdesk providing excellent customer service 2. Provide leadership to all staff within the maintenance, helpdesk and campus facilities teams ensuring that skill and competency levels are appropriate, developed or acquired and the importance of learning and professional development is emphasised.

3. Take overall responsibility for the procurement, negotiation and management of external contracts for services relating to campus facilities ensuring that such contracts are delivered to agreed standards of service and remain cost effective. 4. Responsibility for the preparation, monitoring and delivery of annual maintenance and campus facilities budgets, expenditure plans, income targets and key performance indicators, working closely with the Finance Department.

5. Overall responsibility for emergency and business continuity planning for the University’s Estate.

6. Ensuring all aspects of the department’s work are carried out in line with University Health and Safety requirements, statutory obligations and best practice requirements.

7. Management of car parking arrangements.

8. Identifying and realising opportunities for improved efficiency in the estate, including acquisitions, disposals, reconfiguration, partnerships and commercial opportunities.

9. Ensuring appropriate planning and strategies to support the sustainable travel and transport needs of staff and students to and between our campuses.

10.To lead and develop commercial activities including conferences, retail shops and business villages to ensure that operations are able to compete in a commercial environment. 11.To lead, manage and motivate the catering team to deliver the highest service standards that enhance the student and staff experience and supports the catering and events business. 12.To lead the strategic and operational planning, management and control of the University’s sports facilities and to deliver high standards of service delivery to enhance the student and staff experience. 13.Actively contribute to the work of the Estates and Commercial Services Senior Management Team and take responsibility for cross-divisional initiatives and performance.

14.Support the Director in the development, delivery and periodic review of the Estates and Commercial Services Strategy and Business Review presentations to Executive.

15.Responsible for ensuring strategic and operational business plans are in place and capture the plans as part of the annual business planning cycle.

16.Ability to manage performance at individual and operational level e.g., developing, managing and reporting on service KPI’s.

17.Working with the Director to design strategies for the future development of the Estate in support of the University’s plans and priorities.

18.Deputise for the Director of Estates and Commercial Services as required and therefore taking responsibility for reporting to the Senior Leadership Team; leading the Estates and Commercial Services Department; developing and maintaining relationships with internal/external partners; and representing the University for the Estates and Commercial Services Department as required.

19.Represent the University in relevant national and regional networks and on associated professional bodies.

Special Conditions The role holder will be required to travel between sites from time to time in a cost- effective manner, which may be through the use of a car. To be committed to working with the University to further improve the carbon footprint/environmental issues.

Variation to Job Description Staffordshire University reserves the right to vary the duties and responsibilities of its employees within the general conditions of the Scheme of pay and conditions and employment related matters. Thus, it must be appreciated that the duties and responsibilities outlined above may be altered as the changing needs of the service may require.

Conditions of Service The post is subject to such terms and conditions of employment as negotiated between the Board of Governors of the University and the recognised trade unions, and/or the employees of the University. In negotiating such terms and conditions the Board of Governors will consider any appropriate advice received from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).

Person Specification

Essential [E] or Desirable [D]

Selection Criteria Description

Educated to degree level or equivalent in a construction/property discipline (e.g., Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, Engineering, etc). A relevant professional qualification (e.g., MRICS, MRIBA, MCIOB, MCIBSE).

E

MBA or other management qualification. Evidence of recent professional development.

D

Experience of contributing to the strategic leadership within an estate’s environment and development of effective strategic links across a large, complex multi-site organisation. Demonstrable financial management experience, with a track record of managing high value budgets. Extensive practical experience and relevant technical knowledge including the management of maintenance and statutory compliance operations using contractors and directly employed staff. Extensive practical experience of successfully leading, managing and motivating a broad facilities management portfolio of high performing in-house teams including the helpdesk, catering, cleaning, security, portering and post services. Ability to prioritise complex and often conflicting project demands ensuring appropriate risk management techniques are implemented. Ability to develop new working methods, providing novel and imaginative solutions to improve work procedures and culture. Ability to communicate complex information to a range of audiences and stakeholders effectively using a variety of mediums. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage a range of audiences and stakeholders and influence at all levels, both internally and externally.

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

Excellent organisational skills with experience of managing multiple activities with competing deadlines and challenging budgets.

E

Ability to manage performance at individual and operational level e.g., developing, managing and reporting on service KPI’s. A strong working knowledge of the legal compliance framework for facilities management including Health & Safety legislation. To have overall responsibility for ensuring that Business Continuity Plans and the University Emergency plan are reviewed and updated regularly, liaising with Deans in Schools, with Directors of Professional Services and with the University’s` Health & Safety Advisor. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the University’s strategic plan and a commitment to the University’s values.

E

E

E

E

Previous experience of working in Higher Education.

D

Application Details Should you wish to apply for this position, please send a CV and covering statement outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post.

Applications should be sent to our recruitment advisor, The Management Recruitment Group:

Michael Hewlett M: 07972 579 938 E: [email protected]