"Director of Facilities"

Organisation:

Cranfield University

Faculty or Department:

Facilities

Based at:

Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Hours of work:

37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.

Contract type:

Permanent

Salary:

Competitive salary

Apply by:

25/01/2026

Role Description

We welcome applications from experienced, strategic estates leaders who are passionate about creating high-quality, sustainable environments that enable world-class teaching, research and innovation.

About the Role

Cranfield University is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Facilities to lead the planning, development and operation of the University’s diverse estate and infrastructure.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and operating as a senior member of the University’s leadership team, you will be responsible for developing and delivering the University’s Estates Strategy and Masterplan, ensuring alignment with the Academic and Financial Strategies. You will provide strategic leadership across all aspects of estate development, facilities management, property management, capital projects, compliance, sustainability and health and safety, supporting a complex campus that includes residential accommodation, laboratories, commercial facilities and a fully operational airport.

You will lead a large, multi-disciplinary professional services team and work closely with senior academic and professional colleagues, external partners, regulators and local authorities to ensure the University’s physical environment supports its long-term ambitions, including delivery of its net zero carbon commitment by 2030.

About You

You will be a senior estates or facilities professional with substantial experience of leading complex property portfolios and multidisciplinary teams within a large organisation. Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, you will bring a strong track record of strategic estate planning, capital development, facilities management and financial stewardship. You will have a deep understanding of the legal, regulatory, health and safety and sustainability requirements associated with managing major estates and infrastructure.

You will demonstrate:

• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, develop and lead large professional teams
• Strategic planning and delivery skills, including experience of estates masterplanning and capital investment programmes
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budget management and value-for-money delivery
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence operating at executive and board level
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Cranfield’s values.

Membership of a relevant professional body (such as RICS, CIOB or RIBA), a relevant Master’s degree and/or a recognised health and safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH or IOSH) would be advantageous.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Rebecca Churchill, Chief Operating Officer on E: Rebecca.Churchill@cranfield.ac.uk or T: +44 1234 75 4027

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: hrrecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5170.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 25 January 2026

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.