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Principal Lead, Estates and Masterplanning - London

Employer
Zoological Society of London
Location
London
Salary
£75,000 - £80,000 per annum
Closing date
2 Oct 2018

Principal Lead, Estates and Masterplanning (Full-Time / Permanent)

£75,000 - £80,000 per annum inclusive of London Weighting (dependant on experience)

Overview

ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is an international conservation charity working to create a world where wildlife thrives. From investigating the health threats facing animals to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, ZSL is committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Our work is realised through our ground-breaking science, our field conservation around the world and engaging millions of people through our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. 

ZSL is based on two main sites in the UK: Regent’s Park in London and Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, and operates from c.10 offices overseas. The Regent’s Park site consists of 36 acres of land on lease from The Crown and contains London Zoo, ZSL’s Science and Animal Health Facilities and other operational buildings including the Head office functions.  The portfolio of buildings and structures represent the history of the site from its opening in 1826 through to the modern day, with 13 listed structures and other points of historic interest; from the 1820s reptile house to the structures on site include restaurants, cafes, shops, scientific laboratories, and education facilities, as well as the animal exhibits themselves and a large amount of ancillary and support buildings.

Whipsnade is an open 600-acre site retained by The Society on freehold, located on the edge of the Chilterns Greenbelt, and including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site itself is predominately dedicated to large paddocks and enclosures for the Zoological collection supported by predominately agricultural buildings and shelters, as well as restaurants, retail premises and a central warehouse. The site also includes a central hub which supports the Zoo’s major structures along with a road network and Narrow Gauge Railway, including steam train yard and station. In addition to the main site the Society is also responsible for several residential properties in the adjoining Whipsnade Village along with the management of the common areas within the village. The overseas offices act as a central hub for the Society’s conservation work across Africa and Asia.

Role Profile

ZSL is seeking a highly credible and collaborative individual to be our new Principal Lead, Estates and Masterplanning, who will lead transforming the approach to the management of our Estates; including the development and implementation of ZSLs masterplan for our sites over the next 10 years, following the completion of the exciting new strategy “ZSL 200”. The role will provide strategic and senior management leadership to the Estates department in the UK (across our London and Whipsnade sites) for all aspects of the Society’s estates and operational oversight for its related resources and facilities, making sure a high-quality estates service is provided across all areas of the Society’s activities (visitors and staff).

 

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer and Managing of Business Services and managing a team of up to 20 people plus outsourced maintenance and security providers, this role will take responsibility for developing and delivering efficient cyclical planned maintenance across the estate and managing reactive maintenance to ensure our unique collection of animal exhibits, historic buildings, science and animal welfare, education and staff facilities remain safe, compliant, well maintained and energy efficient. The post-holder will also be influential in supporting the personal development of the team. You will have a key role in supporting the CFO and MD of Business Services with the planning and implementation of ZSL’s site masterplans, capital projects and management of ZSL’s property leases and rates as well as overseeing health, safety and security in the UK and matters for overseas staff.

The Principal Lead, Estates and Masterplanning will lead the development and implementation of ZSLs sustainable use of natural resources to minimise our power and water consumption, waste disposal and carbon footprint which will be supported by the Executive Team. This will include partnering with all parts of ZSL (Institute of Zoology, Conservation and Policy and Zoo’s). You will provide exceptional leadership support, reporting, monitoring and communications to ensure robust legal compliance and management are upheld across the society.

This senior management role requires a confident, resilient and proactive individual who has gravitas and is capable of making operational decisions on a global scale and can think strategically. As such we are looking for someone who has previous experience operating at a Head of Department or Director level and holds extensive experience working with a range of stakeholders. The successful candidate will also possess exceptional people management skills and be able to engage across the society and bring people along with them. Candidates will also need exceptional project-management skills and be able to plan and keep track of multiple projects while constantly evaluating the business environment for opportunities and threats. This is a fantastic opportunity for the successful candidate to take on a senior post within an established international organisation. You must be genuinely excited by the prospect of joining a world leading conservation charity such as ZSL.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of Business Services, develop and deliver the Estates department’s vision, strategy and plan for ZSL.
  • Lead a cross society workshop group to develop holistic site master plans for our London and Whipsnade sites.
  • Work with the Director General, General Managers of both Zoo’s and Head of Health, Safety and Security to develop and implement the Health & Safety strategy for the Society, presenting at ExCo and ZSL Committees on the strategy and progress where required.
  • Lead and oversee priority capital projects with the Head of Capital Projects, particularly in light of the need to continue with the transformation of the Estates function to meet the growing needs of the Society including ZSLs site masterplan.
  • Management of the relationship with the outsourced maintenance provider(s), ensuring planned activity and financial budgets are met and quality of service provided to the organisation is of a high standard.

Person Specification

ZSL accepts and welcomes all applications for this position however ideal candidates will have an Estates, Facilities, Surveyor or Hard FM Services career background, and will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Significant prior experience of large scale masterplanning and budget development and management, and wider operational leadership in a complex and diverse organisation.
  • Extensive change management and leadership skills with the ability to motivate, inspire and collaborate with key stakeholders (to support ZSL’s shared mission, vision and values).
  • Demonstrable experience of managing multi-sites, listed buildings and large mixed-use estates.
  • Excellent knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and other legislation / statutory compliance requirements across complex sites.
  • Extensive experience in the delivery of capital projects including designing and/or managing either animal exhibits, historic / heritage, science, education and/or animal welfare buildings including staff facilities.
  • Proven contract and maintenance management.
  • Ideally hold a professional qualification and corporate member status (IMECHe, CIBSE or IET) at Head of Department or higher level, with a proven track record of leading and developing high performing teams in a complex organisation.
  • Strong project management skills, able to oversee multiple projects and prioritise as necessary.
  • Proven experience of working successfully at strategic level including developing high-level business plans.
  • Extensive experience in leading cross functional teams and implementing estates, facilities and masterplanning strategy.
  • Current or previous people management experience is essential as is the ability to work with a wide range of people including contract and management.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • A solution-focused approach and the ability to make objective decisions under pressure will make you a success in this role.

Please note: This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent position reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and Managing of Business Services. The post will be based at ZSL’s head office in Regents Park with frequent travel to the Whipsnade site.

Benefit Package:

 This role offers a competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday, stakeholder pension where the employer minimum contribution is 7%, complimentary zoo tickets and more.

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