Director of Supply Chain - Estates Operations

Director of Supply Chain - Estates Operations

University College London is one of the world's leading universities, founded in 1826 with a bold and progressive vision. As London's Global University, we bring together a diverse community of over 50,000 students and 18,000 staff, alongside a global alumni network spanning more than 300,000 individuals across 190 countries.

Consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for research power, UCL is known for its interdisciplinary approach and real-world impact. Our work addresses some of the most pressing global challenges, from climate change and health inequalities to technological advancement and social progress.

Our Commercial & Procurement function plays a central role in enabling this ambition. Having undergone a significant transformation in recent years, it is now a sector-leading, strategically focused team that delivers value, manages risk, and strengthens UCL's position through innovative and effective supply chain practices.

About the role

Please note the salary for this role is dependent on candidate experience.

We are seeking an outstanding individual to join us as Director of Supply Chain - Estates Operations, a pivotal leadership role within our Commercial & Procurement function.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will be responsible for leading one of UCL's most significant areas of expenditure, with an annual spend of approximately £200 million. The role covers a broad and complex portfolio including hard and soft facilities management, utilities, furniture, and student accommodation, offering substantial opportunity to drive impact and innovation.

You will work in close partnership with the Estates function to shape and deliver a user-focused supply chain strategy, ensuring that the needs of our campuses and communities are fully understood and met through effective commercial delivery. As a senior leader, you will own key business relationships, oversee sourcing and supplier performance, and provide high-quality commercial advice across the organisation.

This role also involves co leading the wider Estates Supply Chain in collaboration with the Director of Supply Chain - Estates Development, ensuring alignment across strategy and delivery. You will engage with senior stakeholders and governance structures across UCL, contributing to strategic decision making while driving continuous improvement, innovation, and the adoption of best practice across procurement and supply chain activity.

About you

You are an experienced and credible commercial leader with a strong track record of delivering results in complex and evolving environments. You bring significant experience of leading procurement or commercial teams, alongside deep knowledge of estates-related categories such as facilities management and utilities, and an understanding of the associated supply markets and contracting models.

You are highly skilled at working within matrix organisations, building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, and influencing at executive level. Your leadership style is collaborative and empowering, with a clear focus on developing people, building capability, and driving high performance across teams.

You are an excellent communicator, able to present complex ideas clearly and confidently to a wide range of audiences. You are also forward thinking, with the ability to design and adapt ways of working in response to changing priorities, while maintaining a strong focus on delivering value and performance.

A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion underpins your approach, both in how you lead teams and how you think about estates and accessibility. Above all, you are motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a world leading institution and to contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.