Development/Commercial Manager (Estates & Facilities)

Commercial/Development Manager

Rate - £700 (A day)

Duration - 6 months (Initially)

Ir35 - Inside (Must use an umbrella company)

We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Commercial/Development Manager to support the planning, delivery and optimisation of estates and facilities operations within a Higher Education environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commercial management, contract oversight, supplier performance, development of estates projects, and stakeholder engagement across complex multi-site estates.

This role plays a critical part in driving value, ensuring operational excellence, and supporting the long-term development of the campus estate.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Management

• Lead the commercial strategy across estates and facilities, ensuring best value, compliance, and robust financial management.
• Oversee procurement processes, including tendering, contract negotiation and supplier evaluation.
• Manage large-scale contracts (FM, maintenance, construction, sustainability and infrastructure packages).
• Implement commercial risk management practices, ensuring risks are identified, mitigated and reported.
• Analyse costs, budgets, forecasts and business cases to support informed decision-making.

Estates Development

• Support the planning and delivery of capital and refurbishment projects across the campus estate.
• Contribute to long-term estates development strategies, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
• Work collaboratively with project managers, consultants and contractors to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Assist with feasibility studies, stakeholder engagement, and development of project proposals.

Operational & Supplier Performance

• Monitor and manage supplier and contractor performance, ensuring service delivery KPIs and SLAs are met.
• Lead performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure contracts are managed in line with Higher Education governance, statutory regulations and best-practice frameworks.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong working relationships with academic departments, senior leadership, external partners and technical teams.
• Communicate complex commercial and estates matters clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide expert commercial guidance to support informed decision-making across the organisation.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Proven experience in a commercial, development or contract management role within estates, facilities or building management.
• Higher Education sector experience (university or college environment) with an understanding of sector-specific governance and operational complexities.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing large contracts or capital projects.
• Knowledge of building compliance, estates operations, FM services and procurement best practice.
• Excellent negotiation, financial analysis and supplier management skills.
• Ability to engage, influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders across diverse functions.

Desirable

• Professional qualifications such as RICS, CIPS, IWFM or equivalent.
• Experience with NEC or JCT contract frameworks.
• Background in sustainability initiatives within estates or facilities.
• Experience contributing to large estates strategies or masterplanning programmes.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, stakeholder-rich environment.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organisational capabilities.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and commitment to best practice.