Interim Head of Facilities Management

Heriot-Watt University is a distinctive research-led institution with a truly global footprint. With campuses in the UK Dubai and Malaysia and a growing portfolio of international partnerships the University is operating within an increasingly complex academic regulatory and commercial landscape.

With a history dating back to 1821 and as the University continues to evolve its global operating model and develop future partnerships the effectiveness of its estates and facilities has never been more critical. We are therefore seeking an Interim Head of Facilities Management to provide senior leadership at a pivotal moment shaping the operational foundations that enable academic excellence international growth and long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the Global Director of Estates and Facilities the Interim Head of Facilities Management will lead the strategic and operational delivery of Facilities Management services across a multi-campus international estate. This role sits at the intersection of global consistency and local responsiveness ensuring that diverse campuses and partnership environments are supported by clear standards strong governance and high-quality service delivery.

The focus of the interim period will be on stabilising and modernising Facilities Management operations reviewing and strengthening service delivery models and developing a clear roadmap for a future operating model capable of supporting international campus complexity and new partnership arrangements.

Working closely with academic leaders professional services colleagues and executive stakeholders you will ensure that Facilities Management actively supports teaching research student experience and collaborative activity with external partners. You will play a key role in ensuring the Universitys estates are adaptable compliant and resilient across different regulatory regimes cultural contexts and operating environments.

You will be an experienced senior Estates or Facilities professional with a strong understanding of the higher education sector and the challenges of operating across international campuses and partnership models.

• Significant senior-level experience in estates or facilities management within a large complex organisation

• A proven track record of leading service transformation and operational improvement ideally within an HE or public sector context

• Experience of working across multiple sites and jurisdictions with an appreciation of international regulatory cultural and operational complexity

• In-depth knowledge of health and safety legislation statutory compliance and estate operations

• Strong financial and commercial acumen including experience managing substantial budgets and complex supplier and contract arrangements

• The ability to lead and develop large multidisciplinary teams within matrixed or distributed structures

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with credibility at executive level and confidence working with international partners

• A clear commitment to service excellence sustainability and enabling academic and research activity

• Degree-level education in a relevant discipline and membership of a professional body (e.g. IWFM NEBOSH RICS or equivalent) are expected