Estates and Project Finance Manager

Hays
Higher Education institution hiring for an Estates and Project Finance Manager

Your new company
You will be joining a prestigious, high profile institution in central London, known for its complex estate, historic buildings and vibrant programme of activity. The organisation operates a diverse property portfolio that includes specialist spaces, rehearsal and performance venues, and multiple listed buildings. With ambitious strategic projects underway, this role sits at the intersection of estates operations, financial governance, and capital development. You’ll work closely with senior leadership and stakeholders across the organisation to support transformative investment in the estate.
Your new role
As Estates and Project Finance Manager, you will play a critical role in the planning, financial oversight and delivery of major capital, refurbishment, and operational projects across the organisation’s estate. Reporting to the Capital Projects Director, this hybrid role combines expert project governance with financial management of the property portfolio.
Your responsibilities will include:Project & Capital Programme Management

• Leading financial planning, modelling and risk reporting for all estates related capital and revenue budgets.
• Overseeing project governance, including compliance, risk management and change control.
• Acting as senior project lead on high value and complex capital projects.
• Working closely with senior stakeholders and external consultants to ensure successful delivery.
• Managing procurement processes in alignment with framework guidance.
• Ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget.
• Coordinating project reporting, progress updates and financial forecasting.
• Managing variations to contracts or statements of work.
• Engaging and overseeing consultants, advisors and regulatory bodies as required.

Estate & Financial Management

• Overseeing day to day financial management of the property portfolio.
• Leading lifecycle planning, long term and short term capital modelling, and forecasting.
• Developing the estates financial strategy in line with organisational priorities.
• Managing financial aspects of supplier relationships and contract budgets.
• Providing financial reporting and advice to support investment decisions.
• Ensuring value for money, procurement compliance and strong cost control across estates operations.
• Acting as the organisation’s key expert for all commercial and financial matters related to the estate.

This is a strategic, highly influential role requiring strong technical knowledge, excellent stakeholder engagement, and a confident grasp of complex estates and project finance.
What you’ll need to succeed
Essential:

• Extensive experience leading high value, complex capital projects.
• Strong understanding of mechanical & electrical systems, refurbishment processes and listed building constraints.
• Advanced communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent MS Project, Excel, Word and PowerPoint abilities.
• Ability to interpret structural drawings and M&E schematics.
• Experience advising senior leadership teams and managing diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong financial planning, modelling and reporting capability.
• Ability to multitask, problem solve and manage competing priorities.
• Autocad Basic, Prince2 and a good general level of education (GCSEs or equivalent).

Desirable:

• Experience working in Higher Education or similar environments.
• Familiarity with RIBA stages.

Personal attributes:

• Personable, collaborative and adaptable.
• Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail.
• Able to mediate between parties and build effective relationships at all levels.
• Confident decision-maker with a flexible and proactive approach.

What you’ll get in return
You will play a key part in shaping a major programme of capital development within a respected London institution. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to high impact projects, influence strategic estates planning, and work closely with senior leaders.
In return, you’ll receive:

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Exposure to unique and high value capital projects
• A collaborative working environment across a diverse, passionate community
• Opportunities to develop your project, financial and technical expertise
• The chance to make a long lasting impact on a significant London estate

What you need to do now

If you’re interested in this role, click ‘apply now’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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