POSITION DETAILS

Estates
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606
Grade: 8
Full Time, Permanent
Closing date: 29th September 2025

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification plus substantial work experience in a relevant technical/scientific and/or management/supervisory role in a specialist area. A higher degree may also be held. Where no equivalent qualification is held a proven track record of extensive and substantial work experience in a series of progressively more demanding and relevant roles will be required.
• Proven technical specialist knowledge and understanding in a relevant technical area (specialists will require advanced technical expertise).
• Familiarity with CDM Regulations, building regulations, fire safety, and statutory compliance.
• Understanding of tendering, contractor management, and frameworks (e.g., JCT, NEC contracts).
• Knowledge of capital/revenue budgets and cost control in building works.
• Awareness of sustainable construction methods and environmental standards.
• Proficient with project management software, asset management systems, and MS Office
• Ability to review technical reports, budgets, and project data to make informed decisions.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with contractors, clients, and senior management.
• Professional qualification (or working towards) such as RICS, CIOB, RIBA, CIBSE, APM, or IWFM.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.
• 
  Informal enquiries to Nigel Smith, email: n.smith.14@bham.ac.uk
  View our staff values and behaviours here
  We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website

ROLE SUMMARY

The Principle Minor Works Manager will manage a team of in-house and external project managers to deliver a large and diverse programme of projects between £5k and £250k. With a total annual value of between £5m and £10m, this role will oversee a significant proportion of the total annual University investment into its campus.
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Estates Operations, and working closely with the Estates Condition Programme Manager, the post holder will lead the delivery of a variety of M&E, compliance, building fabric and refurbishment and redecoration projects in buildings ranging from student accommodation, teaching and research buildings, commercial premises, and sports and leisure.
The post holder will be familiar with the principles of life-cycle asset-management, CDM regulations, health and safety, and contractor and supply chain management. The post holder be competent in the ability to deliver a wide range of projects, both directly and through your wider team, to tight timelines, on budget, and to the quality that a global top 50 University demands.
The post holder will require excellent communication skills and a pragmatic approach, demonstrating a practical application which takes account of organisational needs in the delivery of projects which is both a consultative and facilitative style of service delivery. Excellent influencing and motivating skills and the ability to plan and manage works and workloads through a team of project officers to deliver necessary outcomes will be essential to deliver the requirements of this role.
The post holder shall work closely with the whole of the Estates team across a number of disciplines. Leading and nurturing a ‘one team’ approach to maintaining and improving our campus portfolio and infrastructure for all.
The post holder should be able to confidently work autonomously with minimum supervision, but retain daily contact with the line manager. The post holder is expected to manage the sections performance against agreed objectives and provide updates via regular meetings and management information.
This is a busy, dynamic, and challenging post working at the heart of the University. The post holder should be a motivated individual with a “can-do” attitude and outstanding interpersonal and organisational skills.

MAIN DUTIES

• Provide leadership, development and operational guidance to a team of Project Officers within the Estates Department.
• Ensure that all maintenance and building improvement projects consistently and competently are scoped, scheduled, and resourced appropriately.
• Ensure all projects meet statutory requirements (e.g., building regulations, fire safety, CDM regulations).
• Implement, manage and report SLA’s and KPI’s to ensure target project completion times are consistently met.
• Monitor and manage areas of concern if they occur and develop a strategy to improve performance.
• Lead and manage cross functional teams within the Estates department taking a ‘one team’ approach in service delivery and resource allocation.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including contractors and colleges to always ensure project delivery is to a high standard.
• Provide technical support and advice on projects and initiatives both within the Estates department and wider university.
• Present and manage budgets relating to projects.
• Participate in both internal and external meetings with stakeholders and customers across the whole university providing regular updates to senior management on progress, risks, and outcomes.
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.