Overview

We are seeking an experienced Property Director to lead the development, management, and optimization of a growing portfolio of international school campuses across Spain. This is a senior leadership role responsible for capital projects, estates management, and operational excellence across multiple sites.

The successful candidate will bring a strong track record in regulatory compliance management and educational or commercial property developments, alongside expertise in budget control, supplier management, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Estate Management

• Help develop and implement a long-term estates strategy aligned with the group’s growth plans across Spain.
• Oversee the capital investment programme, focusing on campus expansions, and refurbishment projects.
• Ensure all school facilities support high-quality teaching and learning environments.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with Spanish health & safety legislation and international best practice.
• Develop and maintain risk management frameworks and policies across all campuses. This includes managing the property and facilities risk register, escalating material risks to Legal, Compliance and senior management where appropriate.
• Oversee (lead and coordinate) statutory inspections, certifications, and maintenance programmes. Promote a strong safety culture across all operational teams.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all properties comply with local planning laws, building codes, and educational facility regulations.
• Work closely with legal advisors on contracts, leases, and property transactions.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes affecting school estates.
• Lead and maintain necessary relationships with planning authorities, municipalities, licensing bodies and technical regulators regarding school properties.
• Ensure all licenses, permits, occupancy certificates, activity licenses and other property-related authorizations remain valid and compliant.

 Project Development & Delivery

• Lead major and minor construction and redevelopment projects, from concept and planning through to delivery and handover.
• Manage relationships with architects, contractors, developers, and technical consultants.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to specification.
• Oversee feasibility studies, due diligence, and planning applications.

Financial & Budget Management

• Develop and manage annual and multi-year property budgets (CAPEX and OPEX), supported by robust business cases, cost estimates and project prioritisation criteria.
• Ensure robust cost control, forecasting, and reporting processes. Maintain accurate reporting of approved budgets, committed costs, actual expenditure, forecast outturn and project variances.
• Deliver value for money through strategic procurement and contract negotiation.
• Monitor financial performance across all property-related activities.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Lead procurement and ongoing management of key suppliers and service providers.
• Negotiate and manage service contracts, SLAs, and KPIs.
• Ensure suppliers meet quality, compliance, and sustainability standards.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key liaison between school leadership, company teams and leadership and external partners.
• Build strong relationships with local authorities, regulators, and community stakeholders.
• Support school leaders with day-to-day estates issues (including maintenance personnel) and long-term planning.
• Contribute to board-level reporting and presentations when required

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• In-depth knowledge of health & safety regulations and compliance frameworks in Spain.
• Experience navigating legal and regulatory requirements related to property and construction in Spain.
• Proven experience in a senior property/estates leadership role, ideally within education, healthcare, or multi-site organisations.
• Demonstrated success delivering construction or campus development projects.
• Strong experience managing complex budgets and capital programmes, alongside proven financial management and accurate reporting skills
• Expertise in supplier procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor management.

Skills & Competencie

• Excellent attention to detail related to finance, regulation, and compliance
• Strong commercial acumen.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills.
• High-level negotiation and influencing ability.
• Strong leadership and team management capability.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Fluent in Spanish with certified C1 level English or higher

Qualifications

• Degree in Property Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Professional accreditation (e.g., RICS, CIOB, or equivalent) desirable.

What We Offer

Be part of a prestigious and expanding international education group.

Permanent, full-time position.

Competitive salary ranging from €60,000 to €65,000 gross per year.