CRAIG SMITH
Nottingham ,Nottinghamshire
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive experience in strategic estates management and campus planning, currently serving as Acting Director of Campus Futures at the University of Lincoln. Proven track record in leading multi-disciplinary teams to drive campus masterplanning and ensure compliance with statutory, governance, and financial requirements. Expertise in capital programme delivery, financial and budgetary control, and stakeholder management. Notable achievements include managing a £350m capital planning pipeline at Nottingham Trent University and delivering major campus transformation projects. Committed to sustainability initiatives and enhancing facilities management through strategic planning.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Director of Campus Futures
University of Lincoln
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
08.2025 - Current
- Led integration of estates development, maintenance and facilities management to enhance operational efficiency
- Oversaw multi-disciplinary teams in project management, estates, facilities, space and property, sustainability, and long-term maintenance to achieve collaborative outcomes
- Drove campus masterplanning that incorporated lifecycle maintenance and asset management to support strategic planning
- Ensure compliance with statutory, governance and financial requirements
- Work closely with Executive, Finance and Digital Technology teams
Head of Development
University of Lincoln
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
01.2024 - 08.2025
- Led development team covering project management, property, cost management and space planning
- Delivered campus development aligned to estate and operational requirements
- Worked closely with estates and maintenance teams to ensure integrated delivery
Senior Project Manager (Development)
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
02.2021 - 01.2024
- Strategic lead for capital development and campus planning
- Managed long-term capital planning pipeline of £350m
- Implemented new project systems improving governance and maintenance integration
- Led estates operational response to COVID-19
Lead Project Manager
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
03.2018 - 01.2021
- Managed capital and revenue budgets averaging £35m annually
- Led governance, compliance and procurement
- Delivered major academic and infrastructure projects
Acting Head of Development / Capital Project Manager
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
03.2005 - 11.2018
- Led capital development team delivering programmes circa £300m
- Delivered major campus transformation projects
- Led governance, reporting and stakeholder engagement
Project Manager in Construction
Gleeds Project Management
Nottingham, Nootinghamshire
03.2000 - 08.2005
- Delivered commercial, residential and public sector estate projects
- Managed maintenance, capital works and housing estate programmes
Education
BSc (Hons) - Building
Liverpool John Moores University
HND - Building Studies
Liverpool Polytechnic
HNC - Building Studies
Basford Hall College
Skills
- Strategic Estates Management & Campus Planning
- Facilities & Maintenance Management
- Capital Programme Delivery
- Financial & Budgetary Control
- Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Stakeholder Management
- Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Strategic planning
- Capital development
- Facilities management
- Budget oversight
- Sustainability initiatives
- Strategies and goals
- Budget planning and forecasting
Affiliations
MCIOB, Chartered Institute of Building, in progress
References
Available on request
Hobbies and Interests
- Running and exercise
- Long distance walking
- Mountain climbing
- Motorcycling
- Reading
Timeline
Acting Director of Campus Futures
University of Lincoln
08.2025 - Current
Head of Development
University of Lincoln
01.2024 - 08.2025
Senior Project Manager (Development)
Nottingham Trent University
02.2021 - 01.2024
Lead Project Manager
Nottingham Trent University
03.2018 - 01.2021
Acting Head of Development / Capital Project Manager
Nottingham Trent University
03.2005 - 11.2018
Project Manager in Construction
Gleeds Project Management
03.2000 - 08.2005
BSc (Hons) - Building
Liverpool John Moores University
HND - Building Studies
Liverpool Polytechnic
HNC - Building Studies
Basford Hall College