What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director, Property Services position at InsideHigherEd?
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Executive Director, Property Services is a pivotal leadership role responsible for shaping and managing RMIT's extensive property portfolio, spanning $2 billion in assets and over 540,000 square meters across metropolitan Melbourne.
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to drive long-term master planning, enhance property operations, and build a high-performing leadership team within the Property Services Group (PSG). The successful candidate will work closely with the University Executive (UE) and key stakeholders to ensure RMIT's property and infrastructure strategy aligns with its long-term educational and commercial objectives.
Key Priorities
- Lead the development of RMIT's long-term master plan, ensuring alignment with the university's academic and strategic priorities.
- Engage and influence the UE to drive consensus on the future vision and use of RMIT's property assets.
- Ensure the PSG is structured and resourced effectively to provide world-class property management, capital works, and facilities services.
- Build a strong leadership team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture following a period of organisational change.
- Oversee a large, complex team (6-10 direct reports, 100 staff) and optimise operations across teaching, research, commercial, and student living spaces.
- Strengthen strategic partnerships with developers, banks, and government entities to ensure the optimal development and utilisation of RMIT's property assets.
- Ensure financial sustainability, managing an annual operating budget of ~$80M and a variable capital expenditure budget of $50M-$150M.
- Support RMIT's growing operations in Vietnam, providing strategic property and infrastructure guidance.
- Proven experience in leading master planning and property strategy within large, complex environments such as universities, corporate real estate, or government.
- A strong track record in property leadership, overseeing facilities management, capital works, space planning, risk & compliance, and sustainability initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience in leading large teams and structuring high-performing property services teams.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to align senior executives around a long-term strategic vision.
- Financial acumen, including experience managing multi-billion-dollar property portfolios and complex capital planning initiatives.
- The ability to drive contemporary property solutions, ensuring that RMIT's physical and digital infrastructure supports the university's ambitions.
To be successful in this role, you will bring :
About the Operations Portfolio
The Operations Portfolio enables an integrated, enterprise-wide delivery for best practice student and staff experiences.
The portfolio incorporates the following functions : Data & Analytics (D&A), Finance, Information and Technology Services (ITS), Governance, Legal and Strategic Operations (GLSO), Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO), People function and Property Services Group (PSG).
The portfolio houses significant drivers and delivery components across the staff and student journeys and enables the overall experience for both groups. The Portfolio is integral in bringing the RMIT Knowledge with Action Strategy to life. Each of these functions supports the global operations of the University both directly as well as through its controlled entities.
To Apply
Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing your interest and suitability for this position by clicking on the 'Apply' link at the top of this page.
For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Ben Cass via email ben.cass@rmit.edu.au .
Position Description : Executive Director, Property Service
Applications close Sunday, 9th of March at 11 : 59 PM.
LI-Hybrid
