Building, Facilities and Decant Project Manager

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

In 2025 the department will move to its new home in The Life and Mind building (LaMB). This exciting development will provide exceptional research and teaching facilities along with space for public engagement and outreach. It also offers renewed commitment to work across disciplinary boundaries to further knowledge across the psychological and biological sciences and to solve major global challenges. See: https://lifeandmind.web.ox.ac.uk/

The Building, Facilities and Decant Project Manager role is a unique opportunity to manage the smooth operational transition of the department to the new LaMB building in Summer 2025. You will achieve this by fostering excellent working relationships with departmental colleagues and project stakeholders. You will also lead on departmental day-to-day building and facilities operational activities during the transition period, and following the move, oversee the decommissioning of our current buildings for handover to new occupants. This project is the largest building project the University has ever undertaken, with a total area of 25,000 m2 and a cost in excess of £200m, and is a truly unique opportunity to expand your project management and interpersonal skills in a higher education environment.

About the Role

The Building, Facilities and Decant Project Manager role is twofold. Reporting to the Head of Administration and Finance (HAF), you will be responsible for managing and ensuring the smooth operational transition of the department to the new LaMB building. Following the move, you will manage and implement the process to enable Estates Services to take vacant possession.  In leading the project, strong relationships with departmental colleagues and key project stakeholders will be essential.

Additionally, you will lead on departmental day-to-day building and facilities operational needs during the transition period. This will include the following; facilities management, preventative maintenance, ad hoc repairs, and security and sustainability for departmental colleagues, buildings, equipment, and furniture, all to support high quality research and teaching.

In the day-to-day building operational activities of the department, it is essential that you establish and maintain excellent communication and working relationships with the Building and Facilities Team you will manage, departmental colleagues, colleagues within other departments with whom we share facilities and space, and with Oxford University’s Estates Services (OUES).

About You

You will have transferrable project management skills gained in a relevant environment, that demonstrate your ability to navigate complex workstreams and conflicting needs and demands. You will thrive on interacting with an array of different stakeholders, breaking down complex information and systems into easily understood processes that can be implemented across the department. You will be a positive thinker and problem-solver, taking action to overcome challenges and best understand and meet your stakeholder needs. You will be extremely comfortable with data collection and analysis, and your attention to detail will ensure the necessary accuracy for the smooth transition of the department to the LaMB. You will be a confident people manager, with excellent interpersonal skills.

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