Eden Project, Cornwall
Full-time | Senior Leadership Role | Permanent
£85 – £95k depending on experience
A place like nowhere on Earth needs a leader like no other.
The Eden Project is more than a visitor destination. It’s a global movement, a place where people reconnect with the natural world, where bold ideas take root, and where we imagine and build a better future for people and planet.
Set within a reclaimed clay quarry in Cornwall, Eden is home to iconic biomes, extraordinary landscapes, and pioneering sustainability projects. Eden has been a powerhouse of economic impact and supply chain delivery – especially locally. With over £210 million spent on capital assets, Eden has welcomed 25 million visitors to its impressive site spending £632 million with suppliers and bringing £6.8 billion pounds to the Southwest.
But what makes Eden truly special is not just what exists today, it’s what comes next.
We are now seeking a Director of Estates who will hold a critical leadership role at the heart of Eden’s transformation, leading the stewardship, development and long-term vision of one of the most unique estates in the world.
About the role
The Director of Estates will work closely with the CEO and Leadership Team to lead the strategic master planning and long-term development of the Eden Cornwall estate. This will see you act as a client lead on complex infrastructure and capital projects from concept to completion overseeing a major capital investment programme ensuring projects are delivered to time, cost and quality
The Director of Estates will be the expert voice to provide strategic advice to shape organisational priorities, investment decisions and asset value ensuring that the estate supports Eden’s commercial success, charitable purpose and visitor experience. Leading and inspiring a high-performing team, while influencing across a complex, evolving organisation, the Director of Estates will build and maintain strong relationships with partners, funders, regulators and stakeholders.
Of course, sustainability is at the heart of all that we do, the Director of Estates will deliver estate management through that lens and focus on decarbonisation, energy strategy and climate resilience.
What we’re looking for
You will be an exceptional estates or property leader, with the credibility and vision to operate at executive level in a dynamic, mission-driven organisation. You will have exceptional relationship building and maintenance experience.
You will bring:
- Extensive senior experience managing large, complex estates and capital programmes
- A strong track record of delivering major projects from inception through to completion
- Deep expertise in estate strategy, planning, asset development and infrastructure
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including business case development and investment planning
- Proven ability to influence at the highest levels, engaging stakeholders, funders and regulators
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and navigating complex organisational environments
- Professional qualification or chartered status (e.g. RICS, CIOB, RIBA, APM or equivalent)
You’ll also bring something harder to define — a curiosity, creativity and drive that aligns with Eden’s ethos and ambition.
Why join Eden?
Because this is not just a role, it’s an opportunity to shape a place that inspires millions and influences thinking around the world.
At Eden, you will:
- Lead the evolution of a globally recognised and truly unique estate.
- Help deliver projects that create lasting environmental and social impact.
- Work alongside a passionate, purpose-led leadership team.
- Be part of a culture that values innovation, collaboration and optimism.
- Contribute to a mission that goes far beyond the boundaries of the site itself.
A place like nowhere on Earth - and a role to match
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of an organisation that is constantly evolving, pushing boundaries, championing sustainability, and reimagining how people connect with the natural world.
If you are ready to lead at scale, think differently, and leave a lasting legacy, we would love to hear from you.
Closing date for this role will be midnight Sunday 5th July 2026
For an informal discussion: please liaise with
[email protected] in the first instance.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Director of Estates
Job Family: Facilities and Estates
Job family Definition
Roles within the facilities and estates dedicate themselves to optimising the safety of Eden sites and maximising the strategic and operational management of site to provide estates and facilities that enhance visitor enjoyment.
Role Purpose
To lead and manage the Eden Project Cornwall estate (with strategic input across wider Eden projects as required), ensuring the effective delivery of a prioritised capital investment programme, maintenance, and long-term development of the estate.
The role provides strategic leadership across master planning, capital investment prioritisation, and client-side project delivery, ensuring estates activity supports Eden’s strategic, commercial and financial objectives.
At a strategic level, the Director of Estates provides senior professional advice to the CEO and Leadership Team, ensuring that estate development aligns with organisational priorities, funding capacity and long-term asset value creation.
The postholder will act as a senior ambassador for Eden, working with partners, stakeholders and funders to unlock investment, secure consents and deliver major capital and infrastructure projects.
The role reports to the CEO and works closely with the Leadership Team, partnering particularly with Finance, Sustainability and Operations, including the General Manager (Eden Cornwall) and the Project Director (Eden Morecambe).
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Planning and Master planning:
- Provide strategic advice on estate management, development and long-term asset value optimisation
- Develop and implement phased masterplans aligned to organisational strategy, financial capacity and delivery priorities
- Coordinate planning for infrastructure improvements, including roads, car parking and visitor facilities
- Liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and stakeholders to secure approvals
- Ensure the estate is structured and managed to maximise financial efficiency, charitable benefit and long-term value
Capital Projects Management:
- Lead a prioritised portfolio of major capital projects from inception to completion
- Act as client representative, ensuring delivery to agreed time, cost, quality and commercial outcomes
- Develop robust business cases, including financial appraisal, risk assessment and delivery strategy
- Appoint and manage consultants and contractors
- Oversee project budgets, timelines and quality
- Conduct feasibility studies and develop investment-ready proposals
- Ensure strong capital governance, including approvals, reporting and post-investment review
Estate Management:
- Advise on the management and optimisation of the estate, including residential, commercial and infrastructure assets
- Oversee valuations, rent reviews and tenancy arrangements (via managing agents where appropriate)
- Manage freeholds, leaseholds and tenancies
- Ensure compliance with legislation and health and safety regulations
- Drive long-term asset strategy, including lifecycle planning, maintenance optimisation and value enhancement
- Work jointly with the Head of Sustainability to deliver estate decarbonisation, energy strategy and climate resilience, including major infrastructure such as geothermal and energy systems
Financial and Commercial Accountability
- Lead the planning and delivery of a multi-year capital investment programme aligned to organisational priorities and funding constraints
- Ensure investments deliver value for money, affordability and strategic alignment
- Partner with Finance to ensure strong financial control, forecasting and reporting across the capital programme
- Contribute to funding strategies, including grants, partnerships and commercial opportunities arising from estate development
Team Management:
- Lead and manage the Property team and cross-organisational project teams,
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing working environment
- Provide clear prioritisation and direction across competing estate and capital demands
- Contribute to organisational change processes that may lead to additional team management
Health and Safety:
- Ensure all estate and project activities comply with health and safety regulations
- Promote a culture of safety and accountability
- Ensure robust identification and management of financial, operational and delivery risks across the estate and capital programme
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
- Support fundraising and operational activities
- Represent Eden with partners, funders, regulators and public bodies
- Build strong relationships to support delivery of major projects and infrastructure investment
Governance and Assurance
- Ensure strong governance frameworks are in place across capital projects and estate management
- Provide assurance to the Leadership Team and Board on delivery, risks and financial performance
- Ensure appropriate controls, reporting and decision-making processes are consistently applied
Other Information
The Eden Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share this commitment
You will also be expected to undertake any other accountabilities as may reasonably be required in the post.
Person Specification
Essential Desirable
Education and Qualifications
Degree (or equivalent experience) in estate management, surveying, construction, property or a related discipline. Chartered professional qualification or membership (e.g. RICS, CIOB, RIBA, APM or equivalent). Evidence of continuing professional development.
Postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc, MBA) or additional qualifications in project management, sustainability or leadership.
Knowledge and Skills
Extensive senior-level experience managing large, complex and diverse estates portfolios.
Expert knowledge of property legislation, planning systems, and health & safety regulations. Strong track record of delivering major capital projects from inception to completion, ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality
Deep understanding of estate master planning, asset development and infrastructure planning.
Strong financial and commercial acumen, including capital planning, business case development and budget management.
Advanced stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across senior leaders, funders, regulators and partners.
Proven leadership capability, including leading multidisciplinary and matrix teams.
Strong project and programme management skills, including procurement and contractor/consultant management
Ability to operate at executive level, providing strategic advice and managing complex risks.
Knowledge of charity/not-for-profit sector, environmental or heritage projects, and landscape or horticultural environments.
Decision Making
Experience operating at executive level and taking accountability for strategic estate decisions, capital investment priorities and long-term asset development.
Experience of providing expert professional advice to the Leadership Team and Board, balancing organisational ambition, financial constraints and regulatory requirements.
Experience of making complex, high-value decisions relating to estate strategy, major capital projects and risk management, often within ambiguous or evolving contexts.
Resourcefulness
Ability to lead the identification and development of opportunities to maximise value, sustainability and visitor experience across the estate.
Ability to develop innovative and practical solutions to complex estate, infrastructure and planning challenges.
Experience of proactively managing competing priorities, resources and risks across a diverse property portfolio.
Experienced in the development of business cases, funding strategies and partnership approaches for capital projects.
People and Asset Management
Experience leading multi-professional teams, including professional specialists and cross-organisational project teams.
Experience of effectively managing a significant and diverse estate portfolio, including commercial, residential and infrastructure assets.
In depth understanding of governance, compliance, maintenance and long-term asset value having managed significant capital project budgets and associated resources.
Communication and Visitor Experience
Ability to become an ambassador for the organisation, representing Eden with strategic partners, funders, local authorities and stakeholders.
Adept at communicating complex technical, financial and strategic information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
Advanced ability to negotiate and influence at senior level to secure approvals, funding and partnerships.
Experience of supporting estate developments that enhance visitor experience and organisational impact.
Operational Environment
Ability to operate within a complex, multi-site environment with responsibility for a diverse property portfolio.
Previous experience of working with a CEO, Leadership Team and key operational leaders to ensure alignment of estate strategy with organisational priorities.
Evidence of experience undertaking regular engagement with external stakeholders including planning authorities, regulators, consultants and contractors.
Experience supporting delivery of major strategic programmes and infrastructure projects.
Ability to be flexible, particularly with a need to travel and respond to major project demands.
