Senior Estate Strategic Partner leading an Academic Portfolio in Cambridge
Remuneration: Circa £65,000 + Market-Leading Pension & Benefits including 41 days holiday and flexible working.
In the world of Real Estate and Facilities Management, few roles offer the chance to balance high-level strategic advisory with the tangible oversight of a 140,000 sqm portfolio. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will act as the primary strategic liaison for a dedicated portfolio comprising approximately 70 buildings. We are looking for the final piece of a high-performing team of Estate Partners, managing the operational estate and capital projects of a world-renowned institution. We are now seeking the final, most critical appointment: a Senior Estate Strategy Lead.
While your peers ensure operational excellence, you'll lead on the strategic future vision. Taking the lead of your portfolio, translating long-term academic ambitions into a cohesive, decade-long capital investment strategy. With financial oversight of a £20m revenue (operations/utilities) and £5m–£50m capital expenditure budget depending on the project cycle. Going beyond operational delivery we are looking for a Technical Strategic specialist who thrives in the space between data and decision-making.
Operating with significant autonomy, you will:
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Act as the primary consultant to School Secretaries and Academic Heads, aligning their 5-10 year research goals with the physical estate’s capabilities.
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Support with Estate initiatives, identifying opportunities for portfolio consolidation, repurposing, and high-impact capital investment.
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Utilise sophisticated space-utilisation data to challenge the status quo, creating "future-proofed" environments for world-changing research.
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Oversee a capital expenditure pipeline of up to £50m, ensuring every pound spent is an investment in the institution’s long-term mission.
The Ideal Profile
We are looking for an Estates Strategist with a solid foundation in the built environment and recognised qualifications in Surveying, FM, or Engineering (RICS, IWFM, CIBSE). You likely feel "held back" by the operational challenges in your current role and are looking for a platform where your ability to think three steps ahead is your primary asset. You must be comfortable navigating complex, high-level stakeholder environments where influence is as important as technical expertise.
Why Apply Through Me?
With 25 years of specialist experience in senior, off-market real estate appointments, I understand that high-calibre candidates in this bracket are looking for intellectual challenge and institutional legacy. I can provide you with a deep-dive briefing on the opportunity and the overall strategy that is not available in the public domain.