Development/Commercial Manager Estates & Facilities
20 days ago
London
Commercial/Development Manager Rate - £700 (A day) Duration - 6 Months (Initially) Ir35 - Inside (Must use an umbrella company) We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Commercial/Development Manager to support the planning, delivery and optimisation of estates and facilities operations within a Higher Education environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commercial management, contract oversight, supplier performance, development of estates projects, and stakeholder engagement across complex multi-site estates. This role plays a critical part in driving value, ensuring operational excellence, and supporting the long-term development of the campus estate. Key ResponsibilitiesCommercial Management • Lead the commercial strategy across estates and facilities, ensuring best value, compliance, and robust financial management., • Oversee procurement processes, including tendering, contract negotiation and supplier evaluation., • Manage large-scale contracts (FM, maintenance, construction, sustainability and infrastructure packages)., • Implement commercial risk management practices, ensuring risks are identified, mitigated and reported., • Analyse costs, budgets, forecasts and business cases to support informed decision-making.Estates Development, • Support the planning and delivery of capital and refurbishment projects across the campus estate., • Contribute to long-term estates development strategies, ensuring alignment with institutional goals., • Work collaboratively with project managers, consultants and contractors to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget., • Assist with feasibility studies, stakeholder engagement, and development of project proposals.Operational & Supplier Performance, • Monitor and manage supplier and contractor performance, ensuring service delivery KPIs and SLAs are met., • Lead performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives., • Ensure contracts are managed in line with Higher Education governance, statutory regulations and best-practice frameworks.Stakeholder Engagement, • Build strong working relationships with academic departments, senior leadership, external partners and technical teams., • Communicate complex commercial and estates matters clearly to non-technical stakeholders., • Provide expert commercial guidance to support informed decision-making across the organisation.Skills, Experience & QualificationsEssential, • Proven experience in a commercial, development or contract management role within estates, facilities or building management., • Higher Education sector experience (university or college environment) with an understanding of sector-specific governance and operational complexities., • Strong commercial acumen and experience managing large contracts or capital projects., • Knowledge of building compliance, estates operations, FM services and procurement best practice., • Excellent negotiation, financial analysis and supplier management skills., • Ability to engage, influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders across diverse functions.Desirable, • Professional qualifications such as RICS, CIPS, IWFM or equivalent., • Experience with NEC or JCT contract frameworks., • Background in sustainability initiatives within estates or facilities., • Experience contributing to large estates strategies or masterplanning programmes.Personal Attributes, • Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset., • Strong communication and relationship-building skills., • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, stakeholder-rich environment., • Detail-oriented with excellent organisational capabilities., • Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and commitment to best practice.