We are seeking to appoint Head of Estates
Closing Date : 7th August 2026
Interview Date: 13th August 2026
We welcome applications from new candidates. If you have previously applied for this position within the last six months, please only submit a new application if there has been a significant change to your qualifications, skills or experience.
To manage and develop the college’s estate, ensuring that all buildings, grounds and facilities provide a safe, compliant and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors. The Estates Manager will lead a team comprising a Building Operations Manager, two Building Managers and four Estates Support Managers on the operational delivery and compliance; and assist the Executive Director on strategic planning to support the college’s mission of delivering
Support the Executive Director of Estates to deliver the full spectrum of estates and facilities functions in full support of the wider organisational objectives of South and City College Birmingham.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Estates Operations and Maintenance
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Oversee the day-to-day operational estates management of college sites.
- Implement and monitor planned preventative maintenance activities to minimise disruption to normal business operations.
- Liaise with the Health & Safety Manager, to ensure compliance with all health and safety, fire safety and other statutory requirements across college sites.
- Manage in-house cleaning, BSS (caretaking) and security, together with other outsourced maintenance services contracts to maintain a safe and fit for purpose environment.
Compliance & Risk Management
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Maintain accurate records for statutory inspections (e.g. fire alarms, gas safety, asbestos, water hygiene, etc.).
- Ensure compliance with legislation including building regulations, safeguarding requirements and environmental standards.
- Conduct regular risk assessments, develop actions plans and implement corrective actions promptly.
- Assist in preparing and providing evidence for various internal and external audits.
Project and Capital Works
- Lead on minor refurbishment, maintenance and capital works projects to maintain, enhance and re-purpose college accommodation and facilities.
- Prepare specifications, tender/ best value documents and manage contractors in line with college policies and procedures.
- Monitor budgets, timelines, and quality standards for all projects.
- Ensure suitable CDM-related O&M/H&S file information is received following the completion of estate and project works.
Sustainability & Energy Management
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With support from the Estates Sustainability Officer/Lead, drive initiatives to reduce carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency, in line with the college Sustainability Roadmap.
- Monitor utility usage and identify cost saving opportunities.
Financial & Resource Management
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Manage devolved budgets effectively, ensuring value for money and compliance with college financial regulations and any funding requirements.
- Assist the Executive Director in preparing reports and forecasts for senior leadership and the Board of Governors.
Safeguarding & Prevent Duty
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Ensure estates operations support the college’s safeguarding policies, secure access control and safe environments for learners and staff.
- Work with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Executive Director to identify and mitigate risks relating to premises
- Promote awareness of the Prevent Duty by ensuring all estates staff understand their responsibilities and report concerns appropriately.
- Ensure contractors and visitors comply with the college’s safeguarding and Prevent requirements, including ID/DBS checks and site protocols.
Leadership and Team Development
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Deputise for the Executive Director, when required.
- Lead, support and motivate the estates management team, ensuring high performance, compliance effective communication and continuous professional and vocational development.
- Promote professional standards and a positive culture of customer service and continuous improvement with the Estates Division.
- Support staff development through effective appraisals, personal development plans, and training initiatives.
- Respond to any out-of-hours emergencies as part of the Business Continuity Disaster Recovery Team.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.
The Job Description for this role has been attached, please refer to this for more detailed information of this role
For further details about the role and how to apply:
For inquiries, please contact the People Services team at peopleservices@sccb.ac.uk.
South and City College Birmingham are one of the largest further education providers in the UK, with eight campuses across the city. We are committed to ensuring students have the relevant skills, qualifications and experience for their future, whether that is to seek employment or continue their education.
Our vision: is to be recognised as an outstanding educational and economical resource by, providing outstanding education, training that is primarily vocational in response to the needs of the learners, employers and other key stakeholders.
At South and City College Birmingham, equality, diversity and inclusion are integral to who we are and what we do. We are firmly committed to promoting and imbedding the key principles for all within our institution, from our learners to our staff, governors, employers, visitors and contractors.
South and City College recognises that personal safety is a fundamental precondition for effective and successful teaching and learning and can only be felt in a safe learning environment that promotes well-being, safety and security for all students, staff and visitors. Safeguarding is a core element of all aspects of college activity.
Safeguarding
The college is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.
The successful applicant will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks. including, enhanced DBS; Prohibition check; Childcare Disqualification (where applicable); qualifications (where applicable); medical fitness; identity and right to work.
All applicants will be required to provide a minimum of two suitable references covering a 5-year period.
An online search will also be carried out as part of our due diligence on all shortlisted candidates.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are employers cannot take them into account.
Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.
Safeguarding is our top priority. We encourage all applicants to review our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, which outlines our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of learners.
This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016). Therefore, the ability to speak fluent and spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.
