Partnership Director
7 hours ago
London
At GRAHAM, we are more than a leading Facilities and Construction delivery partner, we are a trusted collaborator committed to creating high-quality learning environments and supporting the evolving needs of education-sector clients. As we expand our role in major long-term campus transformation programmes, we are seeking a Partnership Director who will help deliver a seamless, fully integrated service that enhances operational performance and elevates the student experience. Our latest education partnership involves a substantial multi-year programme focused on modernising and optimising a diverse estate. This includes the delivery of complex capital projects, strategic asset and lifecycle management, and a comprehensive Facilities Management solution designed to drive sustainability, maximise whole-life value, and create inspiring spaces for students, staff, and visitors. Supported by an annual turnover exceeding £1bn and a commitment to investing in our people, we are looking for an experienced leader who can drive service excellence, build strong partnerships, and oversee high-value programmes across both construction and FM. Benefits: Up to 36 days paid annual leave, Excellent Company Pension, Free Life Assurance, Training and Development, Discounted Private Health Care Scheme, Discounted Gym Membership and BUPA Health Assessments. Location: London Hours Per Week: Monday - Friday, 40 Hours Job Type: Permanent / Full Time The Partnership Director will: Lead the strategic partnership with the client, acting as the primary point of contact and ensuring a collaborative, solution-focused relationship. Oversee the delivery of all contractual obligations across construction, capital projects, lifecycle planning, and Total FM services. Provide leadership and direction to multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring seamless integration between construction delivery, FM operations, and strategic advisory functions. Drive the development and implementation of long-term estate strategies aligned with the clients educational, sustainability, and operational objectives. Ensure all services support an enhanced student, staff, and visitor experience, with a strong focus on quality, safety, and compliance. Lead governance, reporting, and performance management processes, ensuring KPIs, SLAs, and budgetary requirements are consistently met. Oversee programme planning and risk management for capital works, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to specification. Champion sustainability and net-zero initiatives across both construction and FM activities, embedding best practice throughout the contract. Manage financial performance, including forecasting, cost control, and value optimisation across the estate. Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders, supply chain partners, internal teams, and other key contributors. Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and service transformation across all operational areas. Ensure smooth transitions from construction into operation, aligning asset information, handover processes, and lifecycle plans. Support talent development and workforce planning to ensure the contract is effectively resourced and future-ready. Represent GRAHAM at strategic meetings, workshops, and governance forums, acting as a trusted advisor to the client. Lead the contracts social value agenda by delivering meaningful community impact, ensuring outcomes are measured, reported, and continuously improved. Provide strong leadership across all people-related activities, including workforce planning, performance management, employee wellbeing, and the development of a positive, inclusive culture that supports high engagement and effective service deliver y. This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged for the job title andthe range of duties to be undertaken. It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals. About You Essential Criteria Proven senior-level leadership experience managing large, complex FM and/or construction contracts. Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing at executive level. Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across FM operations, construction delivery, and strategic advisory functions. Solid commercial and financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control. Knowledge of compliance, health & safety, and statutory responsibilities relevant to estates, FM, and construction environments. Experience overseeing asset management, lifecycle planning, and capital project delivery. Strong strategic and organisational capability, able to drive performance, KPIs, service excellence, and continuous improvement. Desirable Criteria Experience working within the education or public-sector estates environment. Background in long-term estate transformation programmes integrating both construction and FM services. Experience delivering social value initiatives and community-focused programmes. Professional membership or chartership (e.g., IWFM, RICS, CIOB, ICE, APM). Degree-level qualification in FM, Construction, Engineering, Business, or a related field. Knowledge of sustainability and net-zero frameworks or relevant environmental certifications. Familiarity with digital estate management tools, asset information systems, or data-driven FM technologies.