Job Description

Reporting to our Chief Delivery Officer, this is a high-profile leadership role, responsible for driving the long-term estate strategy across acquisitions, divestments, and capital investment. You will be both a highly credible and inclusive leader with a natural ability to influence at scale, working closely with senior leaders in Clinical Groups, Estates, Finance, Strategy, and Commercial teams to deliver a masterplan that supports clinical excellence and future growth.
MFT is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester is the largest health academic campus in Europe, with a workforce of over 30, 000, and a turnover of 3.0 billion. We are, by definition, a big and complex organisation, and as our Director of Estates and Facilities, you will be at the heart of MFT's strategic ambitions - ensuring our estate is fit for purpose, commercially sound, and aligned with our values, purpose, commitment to patients, and workforce.
Join MFT, and work alongside some of the best people in the NHS and be part of an organisation on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts, with countless opportunities. If you thrive on complexity, collaboration, and making a lasting impact, this is your chance to lead change at scale.
Main duties of the job

• With a clear vision and sense of direction, and the ability to identify and focus on key issues, you will lead the development and delivery of MFT's estate masterplan - identifying opportunities, driving investment, and unlocking value across our sites.
• Working with cross-functional teams, you will lead estate reviews, capital planning, and multi-site assessments.
• With a track record of leading or participating in successful applications for major strategic commercial opportunities, you will oversee strategic projects, site acquisitions, and location planning, ensuring every decision supports our long-term goals.
• It goes without saying, you will possess exceptional analytical expertise and a talent for translating data into action - spotting patterns, uncovering insights, and driving meaningful improvements. With a clear understanding of market dynamics and performance metrics, you will help shape strategic decisions and spark positive change across the organisation.
• This role demands strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and a passion for improvement.

About us
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe. We are an ambitious organisation, serving over 1 million patients and users annually through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are a driving force for innovation, clinical excellence, and system leadership across Greater Manchester.
As a senior leader at MFT, you will shape strategy and transformation at scale, working alongside a diverse, high-performing executive team. Our 3bn plus turnover and leading-edge digital infrastructure, including the Hive EPR, enable us to deliver integrated, patient-centred care and drive continuous improvement.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, values-led culture where your expertise, vision, and leadership will directly influence organisational direction and population health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to lead complex change, champion research and innovation, and develop future talent in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Join us to make a lasting impact- on our Trust, our communities, and the future of healthcare.
Details
Date posted
27 October 2025
Pay scheme
Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary
Depending on experience Attractive Remuneration Package
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
349-COR-7551296-RL4
Job locations
Cobbett House
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
Job description
Job responsibilities
On this page, you will find a Role Profile which provides information about MFT and full details of the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. For more information or to apply, please copy and paste the following into your Web Browser - www.odgers.com/94825 Job description
Job responsibilities
On this page, you will find a Role Profile which provides information about MFT and full details of the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. For more information or to apply, please copy and paste the following into your Web Browser - www.odgers.com/94825
Person Specification
Qualifications - Academic/Professional
Essential

• Professional / academic qualification at Masters level or equivalent experience in technical or E&F discipline
• Appropriate qualification in a property discipline and/or professional accreditation of a relevant property body or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Willingness to obtain accreditation upon appointment

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience in property, estates, or facilities management within a complex delivery environment with a proven track record of senior leadership experience in strategic planning and performance management.
• Demonstrable track record in influencing high-level agendas.
• Understanding of digital transformation and modern workplace strategies within large-scale organisational change contexts.
• Demonstrable expertise in change management and transformation programmes, with evidence of successfully leading multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Proven analytical and data interpretation skills with demonstrable ability to drive performance improvements through evidence-based decision making.
• Experience in formulating and delivering a strategic plan whilst being accountable to several stakeholder partners.
• Evidence of understanding of commercial, governance, operational, and legal structures and their application.
• Track record of leading or participating in successful applications for major strategic commercial opportunities
• Experience in working with internal and external stakeholders and commercial partners.
• Experience in establishing new structures and procedures based on networks of influence and persuasion in a commercial environment

Desirable

• Significant director experience in a similarly complex organisation or system.

Skills, Knowledges & Abilities
Essential

• Highly credible and inclusive leader with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to bring about change and improvement.
• Strong partnership engagement and development skills.
• Effective leadership skills, able to communicate vision and lead change effectively. Able to inspire others and lead by example.
• Clear vision and sense of direction with ability to identify and focus on key issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Other
Essential

• Able to work across sites and flexible to meet the needs of the role

Person Specification
Qualifications - Academic/Professional
Essential

• Professional / academic qualification at Masters level or equivalent experience in technical or E&F discipline
• Appropriate qualification in a property discipline and/or professional accreditation of a relevant property body or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Willingness to obtain accreditation upon appointment

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience in property, estates, or facilities management within a complex delivery environment with a proven track record of senior leadership experience in strategic planning and performance management.
• Demonstrable track record in influencing high-level agendas.
• Understanding of digital transformation and modern workplace strategies within large-scale organisational change contexts.
• Demonstrable expertise in change management and transformation programmes, with evidence of successfully leading multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Proven analytical and data interpretation skills with demonstrable ability to drive performance improvements through evidence-based decision making.
• Experience in formulating and delivering a strategic plan whilst being accountable to several stakeholder partners.
• Evidence of understanding of commercial, governance, operational, and legal structures and their application.
• Track record of leading or participating in successful applications for major strategic commercial opportunities
• Experience in working with internal and external stakeholders and commercial partners.
• Experience in establishing new structures and procedures based on networks of influence and persuasion in a commercial environment

Desirable

• Significant director experience in a similarly complex organisation or system.

Skills, Knowledges & Abilities
Essential

• Highly credible and inclusive leader with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to bring about change and improvement.
• Strong partnership engagement and development skills.
• Effective leadership skills, able to communicate vision and lead change effectively. Able to inspire others and lead by example.
• Clear vision and sense of direction with ability to identify and focus on key issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Other
Essential

• Able to work across sites and flexible to meet the needs of the role

Skills Required