Asset Planning Manager

• Employment Type: Full Time, permanent role
• Remuneration: Competitive package available
• Location: UNSW Kensington Campus (Hybrid Working Opportunities)

About UNSW:
UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

This role sits within UNSW Estate Management (EM) and provides a range of services and advice to all Faculties and Divisions on all UNSW campuses. It does this by providing campus planning, infrastructure planning, development, construction, refurbishment, maintenance and environmental management. EM also provides a wide range of logistical and associated services to ensure a safe and secure campus environment.

Why Your Role Matters:
The Asset Planning Manager plays a pivotal role in the strategic space planning and allocation, including development of business cases and functional briefs through partnership with key stakeholders. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of technical infrastructure, space utilisation, and strategic planning to advance the university's education, research, and social impact objectives. Working closely with faculties, divisions, Estate Management, and university leadership, the Asset Planning Manager effectively develops and implements comprehensive campus planning strategies that optimise space utilisation and operational efficiencies and foster a vibrant and inclusive campus environment.

The Asset Planning Manager may be assigned to one or more faculties or divisions or may work across the portfolio; this will change to support priorities and team workload. The initial primary focus area of this role will be within Faculty of Science, and Division of Research.

The Asset Planning Manager reports to the Senior Business Partner and has no direct reports.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to understand the education, research and social impact objectives of the designated faculties and division, identifying opportunities and challenges in the physical environment that impact their success.
• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans to optimise the university’s estate portfolio, that align with faculty/divisional strategies, the university's goals, and the campus master plan.
• Work collaboratively with other Asset Planning Managers to assess education, research and student space needs, utilisation patterns, and facility requirements across disciplines for all faculties, divisions and related entities.
• Develop and regularly review the Faculty/Division Asset Management Plan (FAMP). This plan articulates the accommodation strategy and facilities development for the designated portfolio.
• Implement a robust methodology to assess the value of research spaces, enabling prioritisation of allocation, usage, and capital investment across faculties and divisions.
• Conduct assessments of existing spaces including analysing utilisation data, occupancy patterns, and other relevant metrics; identify and apply opportunities for improvement, refurbishment, repurposing, or reallocation to better serve the university and its community.
• Ensure the equitable allocation and optimisation of spaces within designated envelopes. Align allocations with the FAMP, functional and user needs, space availability and regulatory standards.
• Assess space and capital investment needs, resolve requests/issues, and implement allocations that support diverse campus activities and priorities.
• Negotiate to resolve complex internal space or supporting infrastructure issues, negotiating acceptable solutions for all stakeholders.
• Conduct feasibility studies and evaluate potential solutions to future space needs such as leasing or refurbishing spaces. Prepare executive-level business cases, including full cost-benefit analysis to support decision making.
• Develop detailed functional briefs for estate improvement and development projects that optimise spaces to enhance collaboration, innovation and align with university space principles.
• Collaborate with project and development managers to ensure briefs/reports are translated into effective designs that meet the needs of stakeholders and business objectives.
• Provide specialist guidance on laboratory design principles, equipment specifications, and safety requirements to enhance the functionality and safety of research facilities.
• Cultivate robust relationships with the necessary internal and external stakeholders to understand space needs and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Lead the development and execution of communication, change and training plans for stakeholders affected by space and construction projects including through the engagement of external change resources.

For more information regarding the responsibilities for this role, please refer to the Position Description at JOBS@UNSW.

Skills and Experience Summary:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in architecture, design, engineering, facilities management, business, research or related field.
• Extensive experience in space planning, facility management, or campus planning with a proven track record of managing research spaces in a university or research institution is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of space utilisation principles, laboratory design principles, facility standards, equipment requirements and safety and regulatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of STEM infrastructure (ideally from a science and research background)
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, build consensus, and lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results.
• Proficiency in space management software, CAD tools, and other technologies for space analysis, visualisation, and project management.
• Excellent consultation, influencing and negotiation skills and proven ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and proven ability to write effective briefs and strategic business cases

Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

How to Apply: Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your CV & cover letter online outlining your interest and suitability for the role, via the application portal before May 8^th at 11:30pm.

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Get in Touch: For queries regarding the recruitment process contact Lucy Gerondis, Talent Acquisition Consultant, UNSW: [email protected]
(Applications sent via email will not be accepted, please apply online via the application portal).

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.