Senior Estates Project Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people. We connect. We inspire. The British Council is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Estates Project Manager (Capital Projects) to lead the delivery of complex modernisation, refurbishment, and capital investment programmes across our global property portfolio. Managing projects across more than 80 countries and over 200 commercial property interests, you will play a pivotal role in modernising our estate, ensuring it remains compliant, operationally effective, cost-efficient, and aligned with our strategic ambitions. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of a truly global organisation, delivering estate solutions that support business transformation, enhance workplace experiences, and create long-term value. Role Description & Purpose As Senior Project Manager, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of a diverse portfolio of capital projects, including office relocations, fit-outs, refurbishments, compliance programmes, maintenance initiatives, and feasibility studies. Working closely with colleagues across Global Estates, Finance, Procurement, People Function, and external professional partners, you will drive successful project outcomes through robust governance, effective stakeholder engagement, and strong financial management. You will also contribute to the development and implementation of estate strategies and asset management plans, identifying opportunities to optimise the estate, improve sustainability, and maximise value for money across our global portfolio. Role Accountabilities Leadership & Delivery * Lead the global delivery of capital estate projects across the British Council's international portfolio. * Drive a culture of accountability, transparency, continuous improvement, and delivery excellence. * Ensure projects are delivered in line with agreed standards, governance requirements, budgets, and timelines. * Champion technology-enabled reporting to provide real-time visibility of project performance, risks, and financials. * Maintain ownership of project documentation, approvals, reporting, and governance records. Capital Projects Management * Manage the full project lifecycle from business case development through to project completion and benefits realisation. * Deliver complex capital projects, including refurbishments, relocations, fit-outs, compliance works, and workplace transformation initiatives. * Develop project initiation documents and translate business requirements into clear project specifications. * Ensure effective governance, risk management, health and safety compliance, and quality assurance throughout delivery. * Manage forward works programmes to support operational continuity and estate performance. Strategy & Estate Planning * Contribute to the development of global real estate strategies and investment plans. * Identify opportunities to improve value, efficiency, sustainability, and workplace effectiveness. * Support estate rationalisation programmes and strategic property initiatives. * Lead the implementation of global estate frameworks, smart-working programmes, and governance improvements. Financial Management * Manage project budgets from inception to completion. * Develop business cases and funding proposals. * Drive accurate forecasting, cost control, financial reporting, and benefits tracking. * Ensure robust financial governance and proactive management of budget variances. Stakeholder Management & Business Partnering * Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and business stakeholders across the organisation. * Build strong relationships with regional and country teams, government departments, professional advisors, and service partners. * Influence strategic decision-making through data-driven insights and expert estate advice. * Lead stakeholder engagement activities, ensuring clear communication and effective change management. Innovation & Continuous Improvement * Drive innovation in project delivery, workplace strategy, and portfolio optimisation. * Promote best practice project management methodologies and delivery standards. * Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, reporting, and governance across the Global Estates function. * Monitor market trends and emerging practices to inform future estate decisions. We're looking for a strategic project professional with significant experience delivering complex capital programmes within large, global, matrix organisations. Essential Skills & Experience * Significant experience managing capital projects and programmes across international property portfolios. * Proven track record of delivering high-profile projects on time, within budget, and to a high-quality standard. * Strong understanding of the full real estate and project management lifecycle. * Demonstrable experience managing projects in multiple countries, including challenging and complex markets. * Excellent programme and project management capabilities. * Strong financial management experience, including business case development, budget management, forecasting, and benefits realisation. * Outstanding stakeholder engagement, communication, and influencing skills. * Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors, and professional service providers. * Strong commercial acumen and vendor management experience. * Sound understanding of project governance, risk management, and controls. * Knowledge of relevant real estate legislation and compliance requirements. * Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action. * Commercially minded and solutions focused. * Highly organised, rigorous, and detail oriented. * Innovative and committed to continuous improvement. * Resilient and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced, global environment. * Strong personal integrity, professionalism, and sound judgement. * Confident working across cultures and with diverse stakeholder groups. Why Join the British Council? Our estate is one of the organisation's largest areas of investment and plays a critical role in delivering our mission worldwide. As part of the Global Estates team, you'll have the opportunity to influence major transformation programmes, shape future workplace strategies, and deliver projects that create lasting impact across our global network. If you're passionate about delivering complex projects, driving strategic change, and creating exceptional workplace environments on a global scale, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help shape the future of the British Council's global estate Important Information * Location: Kuala Lumpur * Contract Type: Indefinite Contract * Pay Band: Starting from 19,816.00 MYR * Right to Work: You must have the legal right to live and work in the country where this role is based, without requiring work permit or visa sponsorship * Closing Date: 30th November 2026 at 23:59 GMT A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability, and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent and we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities. Safeguarding Statement The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children. If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org