Lead a £40m transformation at one of the world’s most influential creative institutions
My client is undertaking a major, multi-year transformation of its academic portfolio and physical estate. This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role at the heart of that change — shaping how creative education is delivered through space, infrastructure, and experience.
This is not a traditional estates role.
It is a high-impact programme leadership role where you will act as the critical bridge between academic vision, estates delivery, and institutional strategy.
The role
You will take ownership of a complex, live programme comprising over 50 interdependent projects across a £40m estates transformation, alongside a significant academic portfolio review.
Working closely with the Director of College Administration, Deans, Estates, and senior stakeholders, you will:
- Lead the College’s role in a major multi-phase estates transformation programme
- Align academic priorities with spatial planning and delivery constraints
- Coordinate complex stakeholder groups across academic, technical, operational and estates functions
- Drive programme governance, reporting, and business case assurance at senior level
- Lead engagement and communication across a live campus environment
- Ensure delivery remains on track across time, cost, and strategic objectives
This is a highly visible role with direct impact on student experience and institutional direction.
What makes this role different
- You will be operating in a live, high-profile programme with strong executive visibility
- You will work at the intersection of strategy, delivery, and stakeholder leadership
- You will manage complex, and at times conflicting, priorities across disciplines
- You will play a key role in ensuring continued funding and confidence in the programme
This is a role for someone who thrives in complexity and can bring clarity, momentum, and alignment.
Salary circa £75000 according to experience. Hybrid role.
About you
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading large-scale, complex programmes (ideally £20m+ or equivalent complexity)
- A track record of delivering change in multi-stakeholder, politically complex environments
- Strong experience of governance, business cases, and senior reporting
- The ability to translate strategic vision into deliverable plans
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence at senior level
You may come from higher education, public sector, cultural institutions, or similarly complex environments.
What matters most is your ability to:
- take ownership quickly
- operate credibly at senior level
- navigate complexity and keep programmes moving
Working style
This role requires:
- Regular on-site presence at King’s Cross
- Flexibility to respond to live programme needs
- A proactive, hands-on approach
Why apply
- Lead a flagship transformation programme at a globally recognised institution
- Work at the intersection of creativity, education, and infrastructure
- High visibility with senior leadership
- Strong potential for longer-term opportunity following initial contract
Interested? Apply in confidence
Gray & Associates is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.