The Role:
The Project Leader(s)s report either directly to the Head of Projects (who reports to the Director of Programme Delivery) or to a Senior Project Leader. These senior roles require building relationships at the highest levels within the University. The role carries broad influence over staff, strategic investment decisions, asset and property development, and includes financial insight and tactical control in delivering capital projects valued up to £50m.
The University of Cambridge has the largest estate in Higher Education with an existing 772,000m2 built space within 375 teaching, research and operational buildings. The operational estate is valued at £5.4 billion (Insurance Replacement Cost) and comprises a diverse range from Grade 1 Listed buildings to state-of-the-art laboratories.
Estates Division (ED) is responsible for high-level strategic planning, the delivery of major and minor construction programmes and maintenance of the estate as well as a wide range of University-wide services.
About you:
In order to succeed in this role, you will join us with:
- Prior experience in personally leading the delivery of complex projects requiring significant planning and co-ordination work to be undertaken.
- Proven ability to deliver projects from inception to practical completion.
- Experience of programme delivery and programme management.
- Experience of managing a team of project professional staff and portfolio project delivery.
- Experience of live construction sites and exposure to being part of a positive Health & Safety culture on site.
- Demonstrable track record in implementing quality standards and systems, with attention to detail.
- Commercial and cost management experience (contract types, procurement, risk and cost)
- Relevant degree & Professional Qualification (RICS, APM, ICE, CIOB, ARB etc)
Desirable skills required:
- An excellent negotiator with high-level influencing skills and the ability to communicate effectively internally and externally.
- Excellent communication skills. Both in writing and spoken. The ability to present complex issues succinctly and effectively to wide ranging audiences.
- Proven ability to act as a subject expert, challenging thinking of others to develop high-level and robust design briefs/ project plans
- Significant commercial awareness.
- Solid knowledge of construction forms and procedures, including health and safety.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to perform as part of a team.
- Good knowledge of sustainability practices and accreditations in UK
- A balance between entrepreneurial creativity and a tenacity to see through long-term projects.
- Results driven, disciplined and hard-working, with a focus on meeting deadlines.
- Excellent numerical skills.
- Computer literate (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Computer literate in Planning software (Project, Asta etc).
Key Elements of the Role:
Managing multiple teams across diverse projects types. All projects are different, and the role holder will have to create a Project Execution Plan and appropriate management regime to suit each project, in line with the Project Delivery Manual.
The role holder shall be expected to operate at a high level of liaison and networking with senior people both within and outside the University and to present as a professional and commanding representative of the University.
Interviews will be held 2nd/3rd September 2025.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please email Estates Division on EDR@admin.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference BA46749 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.