Associate Director, Space

About the Organisation

Capstone Recruitment is partnering with The University of Queensland (UQ) to appoint an experienced Associate Director, Space to join its Campus Planning team .

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The University of Queensland is one of Australia’s leading research and education institutions, with a significant property portfolio supporting a diverse university community across multiple campuses.

UQ is embarking on an ambitious five-year, $500 million capital works program, comprising 57 critical projects across the estate. A key component of this program is the Space Strategy 2026–2031, which will transform how space is planned, allocated and utilised across the University.

To support this program, UQ is establishing a coordinated University-wide decant strategy to

facilitate major works while maintaining operational continuity.

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About the Role

Reporting to the Director, Campus Planning, the Associate Director, Space will provide strategic leadership and expert advice on the University's space requirements, utilisation and allocation.

A key focus of the role will be to lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive decant strategy supporting the University's capital works program. This will involve identifying and preparing suitable decant space, sequencing relocations and re-occupations, coordinating enabling works and ensuring operational continuity across a complex portfolio of projects.

The role will also lead the University's broader space management function, using data, systems and stakeholder engagement to optimise the utilisation of space and support long-term planning.

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Key responsibilities include

• Lead the University's strategic space planning, management and utilisation initiatives.

• Develop and deliver a University-wide decant strategy across multiple interdependent projects.

• Identify suitable decant solutions and coordinate enabling works and relocations.

• Provide strategic advice and reporting to senior executives and governance committees.

• Lead, coach and support a small specialist Space Management team.

• Build strong relationships across Faculties, Institutes, Schools and professional units.

This is a highly visible role with the opportunity to influence how one of Australia's largest and most complex institutional property portfolios is planned and utilised.

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About You

We are seeking an experienced property, space planning, facilities or program management professional who can operate strategically while managing complex, interdependent programs of work.

You will bring:

• Extensive experience managing complex programs, ideally within a large institutional environment.

• Demonstrated experience in space management, strategic planning or portfolio optimisation.

• Strong stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and navigate competing priorities.

• Experience developing and implementing improvements to space management policies, systems and processes.

• Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring and developing teams.

• Experience with Archibus or a similar integrated facilities management / space management platform would be advantageous.

You will be a confident and collaborative leader who can bring structure to complex problems, communicate effectively with a diverse stakeholder group and drive practical outcomes across a large organisation.

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To apply, please submit your resume or contact Capstone Recruitment for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.

Adrian de la Nougerede | 0401403101 | [email protected]