Director of Space & Design

Director of Space & Design

Higher Education Sector

Location: South West London
Contract: 6 months initial, likely rolling

About the Role

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic Director of Space & Design to lead the planning, design, and stewardship of our physical estate in support of academic excellence, research ambition, and an outstanding student and staff experience.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping how space is conceived, designed, and used across a complex and evolving higher education campus. You will ensure that our learning, research, and social environments are functional, sustainable, inclusive, and aligned with institutional strategy.

Working closely with academic leaders, estates colleagues, and external partners, you will bring together long-term space planning, high-quality design, and evidence-based decision-making to support the future of the institution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and design of academic, research, and non-academic space across the estate.

• Develop and deliver a long-term space strategy aligned with institutional priorities, growth plans, and pedagogic innovation.

• Provide leadership on design quality, ensuring all projects reflect best practice in functionality, inclusivity, sustainability, and placemaking.

• Oversee space utilisation analysis, standards, and governance to ensure efficient and effective use of the estate.

• Act as a senior advisor to executive leadership on space, design, and campus development matters.

• Collaborate with academic faculties, professional services, and student stakeholders to understand evolving space needs.

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team covering space planning, design management, and analytics.

• Champion sustainability, accessibility, and wellbeing within all aspects of space and design.

• Oversee engagement with architects, designers, consultants, and external partners to ensure high-quality outcomes.

About You

You will be a strategic thinker with a strong design sensibility and a deep understanding of how space supports learning, research, and community. You will be comfortable operating at senior level, balancing vision with pragmatism, and influencing across a complex organisation.

Essential:

• Significant senior-level experience in space planning, design, or estates strategy within multiple buildings with multiple uses

• Strong understanding of the higher education or similarly complex institutional environment

• Proven ability to develop and deliver estate or space strategies

• Experience leading and inspiring professional teams

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

Desirable:

• Background in architecture, urban design, space planning, or estates management

• Experience of campus masterplanning or large-scale capital programmes

• Knowledge of space utilisation analytics and learning space design

• Commitment to sustainability and inclusive design principles