Senior Estates Manager (Information Specialist)

NERC Transformation - Senior Estate Manager (information specialist)

Natural Environment Research Council
Salary: £46,965 per annum 
Band: UKRI E
Contract Type: Open Ended
Hours: Full-time / Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available) 
Location: Swindon - Hybrid working available

Closing date: Monday 7th September 2026
Proposed Interview Date: Thursday 24th September 2026

Location:

Based at the NERC Head Office, Swindon, but operating in a hybrid arrangement with occasional requirements to attending meetings in person at other locations as necessary.

Background:

UK Research and Innovation is an entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintain is world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at wwww.ukri.org.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the largest funder of environmental science in the UK. We invest £300 million each year in research, training and innovation through UK universities and research centres. Our scientists study and monitor the whole planet from pole to pole, from deep Earth and oceans to upper atmosphere and space. Through collaboration with scientific partners, business and policy-makers, our science supports sustainable economic growth and improves public wellbeing. Our Headquarters in Swindon provides the corporate policy, planning and administrative focus for NERC.  

The NERC UK property portfolio consists of 91 buildings over 15 sites including research centres, field sites and storage facilities. There are complex estate arrangements across the portfolio requiring advanced data curation & management to effectively monitor building condition, ensure compliance and delivery costs effective investments.

To deliver the NERC UK Estates Strategy, a new c.£200m, 4-year programme has been agreed to deliver a fit purpose estate which enables globally leading science to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth. It will deliver a mix of capital investments and longer business case planning activity. Effective estate information management and expert advice will be central to this programme.

Role Purpose

The position is responsible for delivering a modern, data-driven estate through smart building technology, Building Information Modelling (BIM), electronic asset information and integrated systems. The role acts as the technical authority for electronic estates standards, drawings, surveys, governance, CAFM systems, IoT solutions and electronic asset lifecycle management. Establish a unified framework for creating, organising, sharing, and controlling electronic information for all NERC buildings and infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development and implementation of the estates’ information asset strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and long‑term estate transformation goals.
• Defining and embedding estate information policy, standards, processes and governance frameworks, including BIM (ISO 19650), asset information requirements and system assurance, including leading on adoption of a one organisation wide approach.
• Escalating risks and opportunities associated with information assets across the estates, adopting a solution‑focused and data‑driven approach to problem‑solving. 
• Overseeing integration of platforms including BIM, GIS, digital twins, CAFM/CMMS and smart‑building technologies to ensure consistent and accurate estate information.
• Providing oversight of AutoCAD drawings and set procedures for consistent records.
• Ensuring governance, quality and lifecycle management of digital asset data, promoting effective information flow across projects and operational functions.
• Leading collaborative working with DDaT, sustainability, FM, capital projects and external specialists, ensuring consistent delivery and technical alignment.
• Providing oversight for Condition Surveys data platforms and management of asset data and commissioning of all related surveys.
• Providing (with training) technical and architecture for building estates Smartsheet/BI management platforms.
• Managing relationships with suppliers and technology partners, ensuring high‑quality performance, effective communication and clear reporting on progress, risks and priorities.
• Acting as the principal subject matter expert for estate information management, providing guidance, assurance and oversight across projects and transformation initiatives.
• Supporting financial planning and monitoring for estate information activities, ensuring effective cost controls and accurate reporting.
• Preparing briefing materials, technical summaries and updates for senior colleagues, governance groups and internal/external stakeholders.
• Deputising for the Head of Estate where required on estate information management matters and representing the organisation at internal and external forums.
• Working with the senior real estate manager, ensure data and documentation storage system (s) is effective and efficient 
• Enabling regular reporting through digital platforms e.g. setting up template to enable efficient data collection and verification.

Personal Specification  

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience of estate information management including electronic platforms. (S&I)
• Experience of embedding consistent standards across sites for estate information management. (S&I) 
• Experience of strengthening estate compliance through clearer oversight and reporting. (I) 
• Skills and experience to support cross team coordination and end to end workflow integration. (S&I) 
• Experience of building capability and confidence in new platforms and data driven methods. (I) 
• Mindful of workloads and how platforms can enable more effective working. (S&I)
• Professionally accredited in Building Information Modelling (BIM), with experience using BIM and asset information management platforms (e.g. Revit, Navisworks), and an understanding of cybersecurity considerations for operational technology within public sector, scientific, technical sustainability, estates, or similar complex infrastructure environments. (S/I)

Behaviour

• Innovative, collaborative, analytical and stakeholder focused. (I)

About hybrid working

We support a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and occasionally at other UK locations.

NERC HO staff will be assigned to Tier 2 meaning a standard expectation of 40–60% onsite attendance (pro-rated against working time) including those hosted by NERC HO. This will come into effect on 1st October 2026.

Visa Sponsorship

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

We do sponsor - Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.