Our client is a large, complex and ambitious educational institution embarking on a significant transformation of its Estates and Facilities function.

As part of an exciting organisational restructure, an outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Associate Director of Operations to join the senior Estates leadership team and help shape the future operational delivery of a diverse multi-site estate.

This is a pivotal leadership appointment responsible for driving operational excellence across Estates services while supporting the implementation of a new operating model focused on efficiency, customer experience, compliance and long-term asset performance.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will lead multidisciplinary operational teams, oversee major outsourced service delivery arrangements, manage significant operational budgets and play a key role in developing strategic plans for one of London's most diverse estates.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Estates Operations.
• Lead the delivery of operational services across a large, complex estate.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational transformation.
• Develop high-performing internal teams and external partnerships.
• Oversee contractor performance and major service contracts.
• Ensure statutory compliance, health & safety and governance standards are maintained.
• Contribute to capital projects, asset management planning and operational resilience.
• Support the wider Estates leadership team in delivering long-term organisational objectives.

About You

You will be an experienced operational leader with a proven track record of delivering complex Estates, Facilities or Property operations within large organisations.

You are likely to bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience.
• Experience managing large operational budgets.
• Strong commercial and contract management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience leading organisational change and service transformation.
• Strong understanding of compliance, health & safety and operational risk.
• The ability to inspire teams while maintaining a customer-focused approach.

Experience within Higher Education, Healthcare, Local Government or similarly complex estates would be advantageous, although applications are welcomed from candidates across the wider public and private sectors.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join an organisation undergoing genuine transformation where you will have the opportunity to shape operational strategy and make a lasting impact.

For a confidential discussion and further information, please apply directly or contact us in confidence on 0207 118 4848, or send your CV to cv@maxwellstephens.com.