Interim Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Hard Maintenance and Utilities

The University is seeking to appoint an Interim Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Hard Maintenance, and Utilities to join the Senior Management Team of the Facilities Directorate.

The University of Leeds, established in 1904, is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK. They are part of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities and are renowned globally for the quality of their research and teaching.  The strength of their academic expertise, combined with the breadth of disciplines they cover, provides a wealth of opportunities, and has real impact on the world in cultural, economic and societal ways. 

The Facilities Directorate at the University of Leeds is one of the largest and most diverse directorates, responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the campus and delivering large capital programmes. Their focus is on creating a great place for everyone, providing the services which make the campus work. The work that the Directorate does impacts the entire University community and visitors.

As the Interim Deputy Director, you will provide strategic leadership across all services within Infrastructure, Hard Maintenance, and Utilities, responsible for leading the delivery of hard FM services, ensuring efficiency, high quality, and value for money, and driving continuous improvement.  The role requires strategic leadership and innovation, providing strategic direction, budget oversight, and leadership in developing innovative service delivery strategies. You will ensure efficient and effective delivery of hard FM services, adopting industry best practices, whilst managing budgets and demonstrate financial best practices, while leading and motivating a team of professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We are seeking an individual with significant career experience in maintenance and engineering leadership roles across large scale, operational property portfolios, together with a track record of planning and executing transformation programmes resulting in performance improvement in the areas of engineering, maintenance and estate compliance.  The role calls for a leader that is a natural collaborator with excellent stakeholder management skills and a customer-centric approach to delivering engineering and maintenance services.

The University offers a compelling reward package including extensive wellbeing, lifestyle, training and development benefits as a well as a very generous pension scheme and annual leave allowance.

To learn more about the role and opportunity visit the candidate brochure at: https://mrgglobal.com/job/interim-deputy-director-infrastructure-hard-services-and-utilities-20063/

For a briefing discussion please contact our retained advisors David Craven (david.craven@mrgglobal.com) and James Gregory (james.gregory@mrgglobal.com) of MRG.  Applications should consist of a CV and supporting statement and should be sent to david.craven@mrgglobal.com.

Closing Date: 11 May 2025

Section: Professional & Managerial

Salary: £70,579 to £84,234 p.a.