Associate Director of Estates - Financial Management and Controls

Founded in 1911, The University of Hong Kong is committed to the highest international standards of excellence in teaching and research for many years, and has a comprehensive range of study programmes and research disciplines spread across 10 faculties and over 140 academic departments/institutes/centres, comprising around 30,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, and more than 4,000 members of academic and academic-related staff coming from multi-cultural backgrounds.

The University of Hong Kong invites applications and nominations for appointment as Associate Director – Financial Management and Controls.  Reporting to the Director of Estates, this Associate Director will assist the Director in managing the financial, operations and control aspects of the Estates Office; working closely with the Finance & Enterprise Office on matters relating to capital budgeting, reporting, procurement and project insurance; and co-ordinating all units within the Estates Office to provide consolidated cost reports for budgetary development, cash flow and cost control.  He/She will be responsible for reviewing contract conditions and arrangements for consultants, contractors, sub-contractors and supplier; developing and implementing effective control measures to ensure compliance with related legislation, statutory requirements as well as University polices and guidelines; and preparing a summary of all capital and maintenance projects to provide a clear picture on actual progress, cost, quality, authority approvals, critical issues and recommended actions/mitigation measures.  He/She is also expected to oversee and maintain a cost database, life cycle costing and benchmarking to assist in planning and assessing of future projects; effectively communicate and manage the relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners; and lead and deliver transformational change within the Financial Management and Controls Team.

Qualified candidates should possess the following qualifications, experience and personal attributes:

• Possess relevant postgraduate and professional qualification in Accounting, Real Estate Finance, Surveying or related disciplines, and full membership of CPA, Chartered Surveyor or similar professional bodies;
• Strong track record of achievement and solid expertise in real estate finance, contract management and risk management, with extensive knowledge of large-scale capital projects, leasing and facilities management;
• Experience of working with a wide variety of professional and support staff in complex organizations and in multi-location environment;
• Leadership skills and capable of establishing high level effective relationships across the University and with a range of external organizations and stakeholders;
• Experience in managing government funded capital construction projects or government subvention projects is a plus;
• Proven China experience is a plus;
• Possess strong leadership, multitasking, analytical, organizational, time management and problem-solving skills; and
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Chinese (including Putonghua).

A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits.  The appointment will attract a contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme, totalling up to 15% of basic salary.  Housing benefits will be provided as applicable.

Application and Nomination

Interested parties are invited to submit their applications or nominations on or before July 31, 2021, by email to Heidrick & Struggles, Suite 3005, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong (Email: hku-ad[email protected]).  Review of applications and nominations will continue until the post is filled.