United Kingdom · Research and development · C-Suite (20+ years)

VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

Start my VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities plan, free

Free to start: a plan built for this role, and a Future Fluency module to try first. No card.

Keep this job description

Where should we send it?

One email: what AI is changing in this job, and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

Upskilling a team in this role? Talk to us

Experience bandC-Suite (20+ years)
Reports toChief Executive Officer (CEO)
UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Chief Facilities Officer · Head of Global R&D Infrastructure · Executive Director of Corporate Property

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 5 · covers 1 of 1 standard

GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Diploma for a Bulk Storage Operator (Technician) GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 1 standard

FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence FDQ Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 1 standard

FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills FDQ Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 1 standard

GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 1 standard

Open Awards Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (Diploma) Open Awards · Level 3 · covers 1 of 1 standard

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management

Comply with External and Internal Obligations within a Bulk Storage Operations Environment GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Diploma for a Bulk Storage Operator (Technician)

Manage compliance to support achieving excellence in food operations FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence

Carry out quality audits in food operations FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills

Good Manufacturing Practice GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills

Principles of Safe Manufacture of Quality Medicines in the Pharmaceutical Environment Open Awards Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (Diploma)

The future skills this job leans on

AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly

Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work

Start my VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities plan, free

Your Plan Illustration

Built for VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities

6 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 1 standards Level 5
Comply with External and Internal Obligations within a Bulk Storage Operations Environment GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 1 standards Level 3
Manage compliance to support achieving excellence in food operations FDQ Limited · covers 1 of 1 standards Level 3
Carry out quality audits in food operations FDQ Limited · covers 1 of 1 standards Level 3
Good Manufacturing Practice GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 1 standards Level 3
Principles of Safe Manufacture of Quality Medicines in the Pharmaceutical Environment Open Awards · covers 1 of 1 standards Level 3

These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skill this role is being asked for

Sustainable Infrastructure & Net Zero Planning

Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

AI Governance Fluencyusing AI responsibly
Sustainability Fluencybuilding care for people and planet into the work

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

Start my VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities plan, free Ready to pay? Subscribe for £70 a month

3What this role really is

This job plans and manages the labs, buildings and infrastructure that support global research and development work.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Siemens Desigo / Johnson Controls Metasys (BMS/BAS) Strategic/Architect

Directing global standards for BMS implementation, integrating BMS data with enterprise analytics platforms for strategic energy management and operational insights across the portfolio.

IBM Maximo / Infor EAM (CMMS/EAM) Strategic/Architect

Architecting the enterprise asset management strategy, integrating EAM with ERP systems, and using consolidated data for lifecycle costing, capital planning, and global maintenance optimisation.

VelocityEHS / Intelex (EHS) Strategic/Architect

Setting enterprise EHS policy, using platform analytics for global trend analysis and risk forecasting, and presenting EHS performance to the Board of Directors.

Archibus / Planon (IWMS) Strategic/Architect

Driving the long-term global campus/site master plan, using IWMS data to justify major capital projects, real estate decisions, and strategic space utilisation across the R&D portfolio.

Procore / Autodesk Construction Cloud (Capital Project Management) Strategic/Architect

Managing the entire global capital project portfolio, approving major change orders, negotiating enterprise-level contracts, and reporting project status to the executive leadership team and Board.

Anaplan / Workday Adaptive Planning (Financial Planning) Expert

Owning the long-range capital plan, modelling scenarios for new site build-outs, and defending the multi-year global facilities budget to the CFO and Board.

Diligent Boards / Nasdaq Boardvantage (Board Reporting) Expert

Preparing and presenting materials on major capital expenditures, facility-related risks, strategic site selection, and sustainability performance to the Board of Directors.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choice	Coming in	Where you are now	The step above
Capital Project Approval	N/A	N/A	N/A
Global Facilities Strategy	N/A	N/A	N/A
Regulatory Compliance Posture	N/A	N/A	N/A
Organisational Design & Leadership Hiring	N/A	N/A	N/A

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Capital Plan Execution

Delivery of the annual multi-million-pound capital project portfolio, ensuring major new facilities or upgrades are completed on time and within budget.

Target · Within 10% of approved budget and schedule for projects over £1M, 90% completion rate for strategic initiatives.

Successfully delivered the new £50M biologics research centre in Cambridge, 5% under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule, enabling Q3 research milestones.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Reduction

Achieve a measurable year-on-year reduction in the total cost of owning, operating, and maintaining key asset classes across the global R&D portfolio.

Target · 3-5% YoY reduction in TCO for critical lab equipment and utility systems, without compromising uptime or compliance.

Implemented a global energy optimisation programme that reduced utility costs by £2.5M across 5 sites, contributing to a 4% TCO reduction for HVAC systems.

Critical System Uptime & Business Continuity

Maintain exceptionally high availability for critical R&D infrastructure (e.g., validated freezers, cleanroom HVAC, backup power) and demonstrate readiness for major disruptions.

Target · >99.99% availability for GxP-critical systems; successful execution of annual disaster recovery drills with zero critical findings.

After a regional power grid failure, the backup power systems at our three key European R&D sites activated seamlessly, maintaining full operations and protecting £100M+ in research materials.

Strategic Alignment & R&D Pipeline Enablement

Ensure that the facilities strategy directly supports and enables the R&D pipeline, delivering necessary infrastructure to meet scientific objectives and timelines.

Target · 95%+ of R&D leadership confirm facilities are enabling their strategic goals; zero delays to key research milestones due to facilities constraints.

The expansion of our gene therapy lab was completed precisely when the research team needed it, allowing them to scale up a critical pre-clinical trial without any delays to the target submission date.

Board & Investor Confidence

The extent to which the Board of Directors and key investors have confidence in the long-term facilities strategy, capital planning, and risk management.

Positive feedback from Board members during presentations
proactive consultation by investors on real estate strategy
successful fundraising rounds where facilities strategy is a key selling point.

Regulatory Standing & Audit Performance

Maintain an impeccable regulatory record across all global R&D sites, ensuring facilities are always audit-ready and compliant with GxP, EHS, and local building codes.

Zero critical or major findings during external regulatory audits (e.g., MHRA, EMA, FDA)
proactive engagement with regulatory bodies
high internal audit scores.

Talent Attraction & Retention (Facilities Impact)

The degree to which our R&D facilities are seen as a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top scientific and engineering talent.

Positive feedback on facilities during candidate interviews
low attrition rates for R&D staff citing facility issues
industry recognition for our lab environments.

Organisational Transformation & Innovation

Lead and inspire a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the global facilities organisation, embracing new technologies and best practices.

Successful adoption of new technologies (e.g., AI for predictive maintenance)
demonstrable improvements in operational efficiency
high employee engagement scores within the facilities team.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy

Shaping Enterprise Strategy

You'll spend a lot of time in strategic planning meetings, working with the CEO and CSO to align our physical footprint with our 5-10 year R&D goals. This means making decisions that truly impact the company's future.

Leading the acquisition and development of a new global R&D campus that will serve as the hub for our next generation of therapies.

High-Stakes Problem-Solving

You'll be the ultimate escalation point for complex, global facilities challenges—think major regulatory issues, critical system failures impacting multiple sites, or navigating geopolitical risks for new site selection. Every decision has significant consequences.

Developing a contingency plan for a global supply chain disruption affecting critical lab consumables, ensuring research continuity across all sites.

Building World-Class Infrastructure

You're driven by the desire to create and maintain exceptional R&D environments that are not only compliant and efficient but also inspire scientific excellence. This means investing in the best technology and talent.

Overseeing the design and construction of a new, highly automated lab facility that sets new industry standards for efficiency and safety.

What frustrates people

The constant tension between scientific ambition and financial constraints.
Navigating complex, often conflicting, global regulatory requirements.
The slow pace of large-scale capital projects and bureaucratic permitting processes.
Managing the expectations of demanding R&D leaders while balancing operational realities.
Dealing with the inevitable 'inherited messes' from previous leadership or older facilities.

What this role does not give you

A typical 40-hour work week – expect to be available for critical escalations.
Hands-on technical work – your role is strategic, not operational.
A quiet, predictable environment – it's high-stakes, high-pressure, and constantly evolving.
The ability to make every stakeholder happy – you'll often have to make tough trade-offs.

8Who you work with

This role directly shapes the company's long-term strategic direction by ensuring we have the physical infrastructure to support our R&D pipeline and business growth. Your decisions on site selection, capital investment, and operational efficiency will have a multi-million-pound impact on our P&L, regulatory standing, and global reputation. You're essentially building the sandbox where our scientists play, and if the sandbox isn't fit for purpose, neither is the science.

Inside the business

CEO and Executive Leadership Team
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Finance Leadership
Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and R&D Leadership
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Legal and Compliance Teams
Human Resources Leadership

Outside the business

Board of Directors
Investors and Shareholders
Regulatory Agencies (e.g., MHRA, EMA, FDA)
Key Strategic Vendors and Contractors
Government and Local Planning Authorities
Industry Bodies and Associations

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

20+ years of progressive experience in R&D facilities management, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership or executive role overseeing multi-site or global operations.
Demonstrable experience managing multi-million-pound (or billion-pound) capital project portfolios, from inception to successful delivery.
Proven track record of P&L accountability for a significant facilities budget, demonstrating strong financial acumen and cost control.
Extensive experience interacting with and presenting to Boards of Directors, C-suite executives, and regulatory agencies.
Deep understanding of global GxP regulations and their practical application in complex R&D environments.
Experience leading and developing large, diverse global teams, including other senior leaders and managers.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

AI-Driven Portfolio Optimisation & Digital Twins

The sheer volume of data from BMS, CMMS, and IWMS systems, combined with external market data, is too much for humans to process effectively. AI and digital twin technology will enable real-time, predictive decision-making for global real estate portfolios, optimising everything from space utilisation to maintenance scheduling and energy consumption.

Digital Twin Architecture · Machine Learning for Predictive Modelling · Scenario Planning & Simulation · Data Governance for Facilities Data Lakes

This quarter: Engage with leading vendors in digital twin and AI for real estate to understand their current capabilities and roadmap.
Next 6 months: Initiate a pilot project for a digital twin implementation at one of our key R&D sites, focusing on energy optimisation or predictive maintenance.
Next 12 months: Develop a business case for a global facilities data lake, outlining its potential for AI-driven insights and portfolio optimisation.
Ongoing: Foster a culture of data literacy and AI adoption within your leadership team, encouraging experimentation and learning.

Quick win: Start by integrating existing BMS and CMMS data into a centralised dashboard for real-time monitoring, even without full AI. This builds the foundation for future advanced analytics.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up

Active participation and leadership roles in relevant industry associations (e.g., IFMA, ISPE, CoreNet Global).
Regular attendance at executive-level conferences and summits focused on corporate real estate, R&D infrastructure, and sustainability.
Continuous learning in emerging technologies like AI, digital twins, and advanced analytics as they apply to facilities management.
Mentorship of junior and mid-level leaders within the facilities organisation.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

Sustainable Infrastructure & Net Zero Planning

Climate change, increasing investor pressure for ESG performance, and stricter global environmental regulations mean that 'green' facilities are no longer a nice-to-have, but a critical business imperative. Companies are committing to net-zero targets, and facilities are a huge part of that.

Carbon Accounting & Scope 1, 2, 3 Emissions
Renewable Energy Integration
Circular Economy Principles in Design
Green Building Certifications (e.g., BREEAM, LEED)

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

Global Capital Project Portfolio Management
Enterprise GxP Compliance & Validation (Global)
Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning (Enterprise-wide)
Strategic EHS Risk Management & Governance
Asset Lifecycle Costing & Financial Modelling

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

1
VP, Global R&D Facilities (from large pharma/biotech)
20+ years total experience, 5-10 years at VP level
Skills to master
- Enterprise-level strategic planning, multi-billion-pound capital project governance, global regulatory navigation, C-suite influence.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a major global facilities transformation programme.
- Proven ability to secure significant capital investment from a Board of Directors.
- Managed a facilities organisation through a major M&A integration.
- Recognised industry leader in R&D facilities best practices.
2
Head of Corporate Real Estate (from a non-R&D industry)
20+ years total experience, 5-10 years at Head of CRE level
Skills to master
- Deep understanding of GxP compliance, specialised R&D infrastructure (e.g., cleanrooms, vivariums), scientific stakeholder management, business continuity for irreplaceable assets.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed a diverse global real estate portfolio with significant P&L responsibility.
- Demonstrated strong strategic negotiation skills for large property transactions.
- Successfully led sustainability initiatives across a large corporate footprint.
- A quick and demonstrable ability to grasp the unique complexities of R&D environments.
3
Senior Director of Engineering & Facilities (large pharma/biotech)
15-20 years total experience, 5-8 years at Senior Director level
Skills to master
- Broaden scope from regional/site to global, develop enterprise-level strategic thinking, master board-level communication, significant increase in P&L accountability.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a multi-site region or a very large, complex R&D campus.
- Consistently delivered large capital projects on time and budget.
- Built and led high-performing teams of managers and directors.
- Proactively engaged with C-suite on strategic facilities matters.

15Where this role leads

The long view: Experience in this role can lead to running R&D operations for a smaller biotech firm, or advising on real estate and facilities strategy across the life sciences sector.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities is actually changing.

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety, worked against VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities.

Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety Level 5

Applied to your work in VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities

The objective of this unit is to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the regulations, industry standards, and management requirements for process safety. Learners will understand the role of the Process Safety Leadership Group, relevant frameworks, legal duties, and the role of the Competent Authority.

How the thinking builds

1 Remember
2 Understand
3 Apply
4 Analyse
5 Evaluate
6 Create

An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

Start my VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities plan, free

See Your Progress Grow Illustration

VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities

Global Capital Project Portfolio Management
Enterprise GxP Compliance & Validation (Global)
Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning (Enterprise-wide)
Strategic EHS Risk Management & Governance
Asset Lifecycle Costing & Financial Modelling

This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)
3-5 years in VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities role

Enterprise-wide operational leadership
- Lean Six Sigma (enterprise application)
- Global Supply Chain Optimisation
- Manufacturing Automation Strategy
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system ownership
Board Member / Non-Executive Director (NED)
5+ years in VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities role (often in parallel or post-retirement)

Governance and Strategic Oversight
- Board Committee Participation (e.g., Audit, Compensation)
- Shareholder Engagement
- M&A Due Diligence (at board level)
- Succession Planning (for C-suite)

Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, at this level, your time is gold. AI isn't going to replace you, but it will absolutely supercharge your strategic decision-making and free you up from the heavy lifting of data synthesis and report drafting. Think of it as having a highly intelligent, tireless executive assistant for your most complex challenges.

For a VP of Global Real Estate & Facilities, AI isn't about automating individual work orders; it's about gaining a competitive edge through predictive analytics, scenario planning, and accelerated strategic communication. We're talking about leveraging AI to make multi-million-pound decisions faster and with greater confidence.

Predictive Portfolio Optimisation

AI models can analyse global real estate market trends, R&D pipeline forecasts, and internal space utilisation data to predict future facility needs and recommend optimal site selection strategies years in advance. This helps you make proactive, data-driven decisions on acquisitions or divestitures, avoiding costly reactive moves.

Global Energy & Sustainability Reporting

AI can aggregate and analyse energy consumption data from hundreds of global sites, identifying patterns, optimising utility contracts, and automatically generating comprehensive ESG reports for the Board and investors. This saves countless hours in manual data compilation and ensures accuracy for high-stakes presentations.

Regulatory Risk Assessment & Foresight

An AI assistant can continuously monitor global regulatory changes (GxP, EHS, building codes), summarising their potential impact on our existing facilities and future projects. It can even flag emerging risks in specific geographies, allowing you to proactively mitigate compliance issues before they become critical.

Board-Ready Capital Proposal Drafting

Use AI tools to draft initial versions of complex capital expenditure proposals. It can pull historical performance data, industry benchmarks, and risk analyses from various internal systems, structuring a compelling narrative that highlights strategic value and ROI for your Board presentations. This significantly reduces the time spent on initial document creation.

Common questions

How do you become a VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities?

Common routes in include VP, Global R&D Facilities (from large pharma/biotech) (20+ years total experience, 5-10 years at VP level), Head of Corporate Real Estate (from a non-R&D industry) (20+ years total experience, 5-10 years at Head of CRE level) and Senior Director of Engineering & Facilities (large pharma/biotech) (15-20 years total experience, 5-8 years at Senior Director level). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities progress to?

This role can lead on to Chief Operating Officer (COO) (3-5 years in VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities role) and Board Member / Non-Executive Director (NED) (5+ years in VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities role (often in parallel or post-retirement)), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities?

Increasingly, Sustainable Infrastructure & Net Zero Planning. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.

VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities

Where should we send it?

Two short quizzes about you

Will AI change your work as a VP, Global Real Estate & Facilities?

What's rising in its place

Sustainable Infrastructure & Net Zero Planning

Skills this role draws on

Technical

How you actually get there, here

VP, Global R&D Facilities (from large pharma/biotech)

Head of Corporate Real Estate (from a non-R&D industry)

Senior Director of Engineering & Facilities (large pharma/biotech)

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

Roles this leads to

One to one, on the work you already do

Everything else the record holds

The career path, and where it branches

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Board Member / Non-Executive Director (NED)

Where AI is starting to help

Predictive Portfolio Optimisation

Global Energy & Sustainability Reporting

Regulatory Risk Assessment & Foresight

Board-Ready Capital Proposal Drafting

Common questions

Want a read on where you stand?