University of Suffolk - Director of Estates

University of Suffolk - Director of Estates

DIRECTOR OF ESTATES CANDIDATE BROCHURE

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Director of Estates

CONTENTS 4 Executive Summary 6 University Profile 12 Strategic Estates Framework 20 Job Description 24 Application Process

Candidate Brochure 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The University of Suffolk is strongly embedded in our local region, and our unique and integrated partnership with our regional stakeholders is central to our identity. Our plans to deliver national and international impact through teaching, research and innovation will bring increased recognition, wealth and opportunity to the region. The student experience is at the heart of what we do, and the partnership between students and staff is one of the University’s key strengths. Our students experience the highest quality in teaching, learning and social environments. Scholarship and high impact research is pervasive within the institution, and we offer our students a transformational experience. As a relatively newly-established university, we have ambitious plans for growth. We keep a very close eye on student recruitment trends and anticipate the point where our projected growth will enable us to realise our long-term vision of a marina-based campus in the heart of Ipswich. The principal purpose of our Estate Strategy will be to proactively deliver and maintain a cost effective, fit for purpose and inspirational higher education campus that will attract students to study at the University of Suffolk as well as contributing significantly to their experience through the provision of high-quality student facilities. To achieve this, changes will be required in the coming years, the delivery of which will require us to explore options including the construction of new buildings and the upgrading of existing buildings. Close collaboration with our stakeholders to understand and deliver to their needs and the wider interests of the region will inform and assist in our future campus development.

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Director of Estates

We will continue to enhance the utilisation of all our buildings and deliver improvements in energy consumption and carbon emissions. In delivering facilities and services to staff and students, high service standards will be maintained including an appropriate balance of in-house and contracted- out provision. Our previous estate strategies have focussed on the establishment of the University in Ipswich, including the construction of statement buildings in a marina setting. The University continues to hold land on the Ipswich Waterfront for further development, subject to demand which will largely be driven by student numbers. We will also look for opportunities to develop innovative partnerships to help facilitate campus development. We look forward to working with a Director of Estates who will share our ambition for growth and expansion, but who will also understand the importance of delivering high quality campus services and facilities which has such an important part to play in the experience of our students, staff and visitors.

Professor Helen Langton Vice-Chancellor, University of Suffolk

Candidate Brochure 5

UNIVERSITY PROFILE

Having been awarded full university status in 2016, the University of Suffolk is the one of the newest independent UK higher education institutions. The University is governed by a Board of Directors with formal decision-making conducted through academic and executive governance structures. Before August 2016 the University was known as University Campus Suffolk (UCS). UCS was launched in 2007 by the University of Essex and the University of East Anglia together with strategic partners of Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, The East of England Development Agency and Suffolk New College. One of the primary drivers for setting up UCS was that Suffolk is a ‘cold spot’ in higher education participation, and was one of the few counties in the UK without dedicated HE provision. Today the University works with a range of regional, national and international partners, broadening its reach whilst continuing to deliver to its local market from its Ipswich campus and through its regional partners.

The University of Suffolk is committed to supporting and encouraging students in aspiring to higher education, succeeding on their course, and progressing into employment or postgraduate study. The University was originally created to provide higher education to the people of Suffolk, and while the reach of the University has grown, we remain committed to working with our local communities to ensure both young and mature students alike are aware of their local opportunities for studying.

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Director of Estates

Candidate Brochure 7

UNIVERSITY PROFILE

The University aims to be a beacon of excellence attracting students from Suffolk and beyond, helping to reverse the net export of graduates and the low post-16 education participation rate, which has adversely affected Suffolk for many years. Widening participation continues to be central to the mission of the University, and the profile of its student population reflects this. We have a high proportion of students from under-represented groups, and there is a broad mix of students across the undergraduate student body. We are pleased with the progress being made against the ambitious targets set for student access, success and progression. The University’s performance in access of POLAR4 Quintile 1 students is very good, reflecting our commitment to and achievements in widening participation. The proportion of 18 year olds and all full-time students at the University is higher than the proportion across the sector. The student body is diverse and inclusive with 16.67% studying part- time and 57.57% classed as mature (over 21) in 2019/20. 14.87% of students in 2019/20 were from an ethnic origin that is not White or White British/Irish/Scottish/Welsh. In 2019/20, 21.09% of our students disclosed a disability and 8.39% were in receipt of the Disabled Students Allowance.

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Director of Estates

The majority of our students are from the eastern region with 52.72% from the IP postcode area in 2019/20. Despite the image of Suffolk being one of affluence, 50 of Suffolk’s Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) are ranked in the most deprived 20% areas in the country, and 22 LSOAs are ranked in the lowest 10%. These are almost all in Ipswich and Waveney.

A report for the Seckford Foundation ‘Young people and progression in rural Suffolk’ (2017) found that half (54%) of Suffolk Wards had lower progression into HE than expected (HEFCE). 24% of 16-64 year olds have a degree or equivalent and above compared to 29.5% in East of England and 33.1 in England (2012-19). Ipswich is one of 12 opportunity areas identified by the Department for Education as an area most challenged when it comes to social mobility. According to Suffolk County Council >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

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