The Role

The Head of the Property Section reports to the Director of Administration and leads the Property Section, comprising 8 staff members. They oversee all aspects of building management for the ECMWF sites (currently the headquarters in Reading, UK, the datacentre in Bologna, Italy, and the duty station in Bonn, Germany), excluding computing and related engineering services.

ECMWF is due to move to new premises in Reading, UK, and Bonn, Germany, within the next two uears. This role will also be responsible for the upcoming move to the new buildings, the Centre’s insurance portfolio and the implementation of ECMWF’s environmental strategy, ensuring the Centre delivers its environmental plan.

The Team

The Property Services Section plays a key role in ensuring the efficient functioning of ECMWF by providing multi-site logistical and operational support. The Section is responsible for maintenance of buildings, facilities and services, as well as all general office and site maintenance including all aspects of security, access control, conference, hospitality, printing facilities, and official transport at all ECMWF premises, except computing and engineering services. This is a very challenging but exciting period, in which ECMWF is working with the government of the United Kingdom for the delivery of a new Headquarters’ building, expected to be handed over by Q1 2027, and with the government of Germany, for the delivery of a new facility in Bonn, expected to be handed over by Q2 2027.

About ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world leader in Numerical Weather Predictions providing high-quality data for weather forecasts and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation we collaborate internationally to serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions, data and training activities that are critical to contribute to safe and thriving societies.

The success of our activities depends on the funding and partnerships of our 35 Member and Co-operating States who provide the support and direction of our work. Our talented staff together with the international scientific community, and our powerful supercomputing capabilities, are the core of a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions. We also hold one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world.

Our mission: Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States

Our vision: World-leading monitoring and predictions of the Earth System enabled by cutting-edge physical, computational and data science, resulting from a close collaboration between ECMWF and the members of the European Meteorological Infrastructure, will contribute to a safe and thriving society.

In addition, ECMWF has established a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme, as well as being a contributor to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.

ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters in Reading, UK, a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany as a central location for our EU-related activities. ECMWF is internationally recognised as the voice of expertise in numerical weather predictions for forecasts and climate science.

See www.ecmwf.int for more info about what we do.

Role Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead and supervise the Property Section staff to ensure the delivery of client-focused services, fostering collaboration, performance, efficiency, and effective communication within the team and with stakeholders.
• Take operational leadership in implementing ECMWF’s environmental strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational sustainability goals, tracking progress, and reporting results.
• Advise on and implement long-term strategies for optimizing ECMWF’s office accommodation, infrastructure, and operational practices.

Operational Management

• Oversee and coordinate the day-to-day functions of Property, including maintenance of buildings, facilities, reprographics and services such as security, cleaning, catering, access control, and official transport at all ECMWF premises (excluding computing and engineering services).
• Manage internal and external maintenance and refurbishment programs, ensuring compliance with applicable building standards.
• Supervise building modifications and refurbishment projects in collaboration with internal and external contractors.
• Lead procurement processes related to building maintenance, facilities and services (eg: security, cleaning, catering and building modifications) ensuring adherence to procurement regulations in coordination with the Procurement Section.

Project and Collaboration

• Collaborate with the ECMWF Computing Department on building modifications associated with supercomputer installations and infrastructure.
• Work closely with the ECMWF Communications teams on event planning at each duty station.
• Work closely with project teams responsible for delivering new buildings in Reading and Bonn, providing advice and support and taking responsibility for transitional arrangements, subject to project timelines.
• Liaise with governmental authorities regarding the implementation of Hosting Agreements in relation to ECMWF’s premises and regarding external maintenance of ECMWF premises.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Implement applicable Health & Safety standards, ensuring compliance with fire regulations, and provide necessary staff training, monitoring, and system maintenance.
• Maintain ECMWF’s Business Continuity Plan.
• Manage ECMWF’s insurance portfolio, liaising with internal stakeholders to assess needs, negotiate policies, and maintain effective broker relationships.

Resource Management

• Manage the Property Section Budget, preparing annual proposals and ensuring their efficient implementation.
• Oversee the optimal use of office space, identifying organisational needs and proposing solutions that align with ECMWF’s goals.

What we are looking for

• A senior professional with substantial experience in facilities management, property administration, procurement and strategic operations in a multi-site environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing diverse teams and fostering collaboration and efficiency.
• Proven ability to manage complex facilities projects, including renovations, sustainability initiatives, and large-scale transitions (e.g., new building implementation).
• Ability to work in an international, multicultural environment and engage with governmental authorities, stakeholders, and contractors.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive and constructive approach
• Flexibility, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines.

Qualifications required

• A relevant qualification in fields closely related to the responsibilities of the role, such as Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, etc or equivalent experience
• Professional certifications related to the requirements of the role (e.g. IWFM, CIOB, IOSH, NEBOSH, IFMA, CIPS etc)

Experience required

Essential:

• Relevant track record of delivery in a succession of roles in in property or facilities management, including managing building maintenance, security, and infrastructure.
• Team leadership experience, ideally managing a team distributed across several countries.
• Strong experience in budget preparation and management, particularly for property or facilities-related projects.
• Proven track record in implementing environmental and sustainability strategies.
• Experience in managing Health & Safety compliance and fire regulations within a corporate or public sector context.
• Managing relationships with insurance brokers and overseeing insurance policies.

Desirable:

• Experience in an international organisation or intergovernmental setting.
• Experience with Hosting Agreements or liaising with government authorities.
• Exposure to managing infrastructure for highly technical installations (e.g., computing facilities).
• Demonstrated experience in procurement and contract management, including tender preparation, evaluation and supplier performance monitoring for property related projects and services.

Technical Skills required::

• Comprehensive understanding of the maintenance of building fabric, civil engineering and grounds maintenance..
• Knowledge of generally applicable building and environmental standards.
• Familiarity with budgeting and financial planning for facilities operations.
• Proficiency in project management and tools.

Soft Skills required:

• Leadership: Ability to manage and motivate staff in a client-focused and collaborative environment.
• Communication: Strong ability to liaise with diverse stakeholders, including internal departments, governmental authorities, and contractors.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify operational needs and propose cost-effective and efficient solutions.
• Organisational Skills: Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously and ensure timely delivery.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you fully meet all these criteria.

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English. Knowledge of one of ECMWF’s other working languages (French or German) or Italian would be an advantage.

Other information

Grade remuneration

The successful candidate will be recruited at the A4 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations and the annual basic salary will be GBP 102,429 net of tax. ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-C as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs, including the ECMWF Staff Regulations and the terms and conditions of employment.

Starting date: as soon as possible

Length of contract: Four years with the possibility of a further extension.

Location: The position will be based at ECMWF’s headquarters in Reading, UK.. The successful candidate is expected to relocate to the duty station, and relocation support is provided.

As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid working model that allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking. We allow for remote work 10 days/month away from the office, including up to 80 days/year away from the duty station country (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

Interviews by videoconference (via Teams ) are expected to take place in early March 2025.

Who can apply

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button.

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion.

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co operating States, listed below:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.