Job Title: Senior Space Manager Department Estates and Facilities Directorate Property Assets and Space Grade: Grade 8 Salary range: £46,485 - £55,295 Working arrangements: Full time (nominal 35 hours) Permanent Evenings and weekend working, as business needs Hybrid working (minimum of two days per week onsite, depending on business need, following the initial induction/ training period, which will be full time onsite) There may be a requirement to participate in an out of hours on-call rota Closing date: Sunday 6th October 2024 The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. The Role and Department As Senior Space Manager, you will provide the leadership and management expertise to drive performance improvement in the planning, development and operation of space across the University estate portfolio, to meet strategic aims, objectives and targets. You will be responsible for the development of strategies, policies, operating processes, data and information management, performance improvement programmes, business case development, monitoring, benchmarking and reporting on all aspects of space management. You will work closely with departments across the Directorate and wider-University, to ensure space management policies, standards and processes are embedded into all aspects of estate planning, development and operations. You will be the Directorate lead on the University Space Management Group, comprising senior members of staff across Faculties and Services. You will lead the operation of the group and provide support to the designated Chair in the delivery of aims and objectives. You will engage with sector and industry wide networks to identify best practice and opportunities for collaboration, exploring the adoption of innovations in space management to support strategic aims and performance improvement targets. The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 30 Days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. • The University closes between Christmas and New Year. • We offer a generous pension scheme. As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS) which the University will also add contributions to. • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • On site nursery is available and children's clubs in the summer holidays. • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. • A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. • If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Where a criteria has an asterisk next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline, or substantial, relevant experience working in a resource scheduling/estates environment, in a large complex organisation. 2. Professional space management practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery and activities within the organisation. 3. Experience of participating in networks to share and discuss good practice effectively, and develop strong and productive working relationships internally and externally. 4. Experience of delivering and developing specialist buildings or estates services. 5. Experience of working collaboratively to successfully deliver major infrastructure projects involving multi-agency working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment. 6. Experience of providing specialist space management advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 7. Significant experience and understanding or estates-related matters and the principles of space planning. 8. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements. 9. Track record of management and development experience applied across a large service team(s), in a customer-focussed and/or complex organisation. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 10. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 11. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems. 12. Achievement of recognised industry and professional standards supported by relevant courses or certifications. 13. Professional knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 14. Analytical problem-solving ability, including deciding and planning appropriate solutions, and working with complex data sets for the purpose of modelling in support of option appraisals. 15. Knowledge and experience of health and safety issues and compliance. 16. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 17. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels. 18. Exceptional attention to detail. Desirable Criteria 1. Project management qualification. 2. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 3. Good working knowledge of university structures and estates procedures (including improvements and capital. 4. Enhanced management qualification. 5. Experience of managing budgets. 6. Experience of working in the higher education sector. How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit • A CV • A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Andrew Rutter, Head of Property Assets and Space, andrew.v.rutterdurham.ac.uk. Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. • Provide expert professional space management and managerial and leadership expertise. • Develop and apply an in-depth understanding of University policy and external developments when carrying out your role. • Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by activities, and processes carried out by the Space Management team. • Use your professional knowledge and experience, as a space management practitioner, to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and provide subject matter expertise and advice. • Use your managerial and leadership expertise to identify priorities and shape the Space Management team to achieve the required outcomes. • Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned space policies, processes and standards. • Initiate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area. • Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed. • Responsible for space utilisation across the University, including the management of the Estates Management Statistical (EMS) information. Planning and Organising • Contribute to the scoping, resource planning and developing of operational and strategic plans, for the optimal use of space across the University. • Scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide initiatives. • Lead and manage major projects, as appropriate, across the organisation, monitoring performance, providing progress reports and taking action to ensure agreed outcomes are met. • Lead the development of five to ten-year space plans, regarding the effective utilisation of space, which will feed into the Estates' Masterplan and appropriate business cases. • Assign activities within agreed operational and strategic plans to relevant project teams for them to deliver. • Lead the design, implementation and monitoring of of transformative space utilisation policy and service developments. • Research technological/system/facility trends to determine the implications and opportunities to change how space management services are delivered in your area. • Manage and monitor health and safety assessments and security procedures to ensure compliance, within area of responsibility. • Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources Team Development • Manage and develop the people, performance and resources of the Space Management team, to ensure a customer-focussed service is provided. • Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring the team in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities. • Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members • Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs. • Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services or more senior managers. Communication/Liaison • Influence University policy, standards and governance by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees, such as the Academic Space Planning Group (ASPG). • Provide professional guidance and advice when managing space requirement requests. • Build and establish contacts and networks with key stakeholders, internal and external staff, suppliers, contractors and industry specialists, to influence opinion, delivery and reputation of services. • Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University's reputation. • Represent the service and University at events, such as the AUDE Space Management Group. • Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement, https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.