Estates Operations Manager (0120-26) – Derby, DE22 1GB
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
The University of Derby Estates Department is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable campus environment, that supports our passion for delivering world class education and ground-breaking research.
The Estates team has over 250 colleagues, working across all of our sites on everything from the refurbishment of buildings to catering.
About the Role
The Estate Operations Manager provides professional coordination and oversight for all facilities, space and infrastructure activities within the Nuclear Skills Academy and Infinity Prototype Centre. The role ensures that environments are safe, well-managed and able to support high-quality teaching, research and operational activity.
Acting as the key intermediary between Academic staff, occupiers, Facilities Management contractors and the University Estates team, this role will hold responsibility for building management and the safety and security of users of the facilities, ensuring that environments are safe, well managed and able to support high quality teaching, research and operational activity. The post holder will represent University requirements, coordinate planned and reactive & project works, oversee maintenance, statutory compliance, process development and the provision of accurate management information, ensuring alignment with University policy, priorities and assurance frameworks.
You will ensure compliance with all relevant Health & Safety and statutory requirements, while overseeing daily operational delivery through the TFM contractor across waste, cleaning, visitor management and building maintenance. You will engage with key stakeholders, review monthly performance data to support effective Service Level Agreement management, and plan resources up to three months ahead using Gantt charts and CAFMbased PPM schedules.
The role also includes preparing quarterly risk reports, contributing to Health & Safety meetings and audits, and supporting ISO 14001 compliance. You will manage small works projects, ensuring coordination with contractors and adherence to legislation, while maintaining regular communication with building occupiers to resolve issues proactively.
The anticipated interview date for this role is Tuesday 23rd June 2026.
This role is employed by University of Derby but works in partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd, therefore in order to undertake this position an individual must hold Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats to that clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if the individual does not currently already have this in place.
Due to the nature of work that Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd conducts and the protection of certain assets a person must be a UK national or in MoD approved cases a Dual National from a non-ITAR country: https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public/ddtc_public?id=ddtc_public_portal_country_landing
Please note you will be expected to participate in on call activity after successfully completing your probation period.
About You
You have strong experience managing complex buildings, overseeing Facilities Contracts and coordinating a multiskilled workforce across maintenance and small project works. You’re confident managing events and VIP visits, ensuring stakeholders are aligned and visitor needs are met. You can analyse operational data to support informed decisions and service improvements. You bring solid IT capability, including MS Project and Excel, and you communicate clearly in writing and speech. You understand Building Regulations and Health & Safety requirements, and you build strong working relationships. Your approach to problemsolving is creative, and you motivate teams while encouraging continuous improvement.
You meet key business requirements, including to hold or be willing to obtain Security Clearance and an Enhanced DBS check, and the flexibility to support University events – some outside normal working hours. You’re highly motivated, customerfocused, and able to travel between sites as needed. You may also bring desirable strengths such as professional membership (e.g. CIOB, CMI, MIOSH), project management qualifications like PRINCE2 or APM, experience in contract administration or trades, work within Further/Higher Education, or familiarity with CAFM systems.
Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
- Discounted onsite gym
- Holiday purchase
- Cycle to Work scheme
- A flexible working environment
- A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Jim Brooks, Assistant Director (Estates Operations) via j.brooks@derby.ac.uk.
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.
Important Information
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.
To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.
Closing Date: 10 Jun 2026
Area: Management, Professional and Specialist
Salary: £43,391 to £53,994 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £62,093 per annum)
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