Department: Estates
Reports to: Director of Estates
Location: National / Hybrid
Direct Reports: Estates Managers
Role Purpose
The Head of Estates is responsible for the operational leadership, compliance, maintenance, and performance of the Company's property portfolio across residential and supported living services.
Reporting to the Director of Estates, the postholder will ensure that all properties are safe, compliant, well-maintained, and fit for purpose, supporting the delivery of high-quality care and positive outcomes for the People we Support.
The role is responsible for translating estates strategy into operational delivery, ensuring effective management of maintenance services, statutory compliance, contractors, property projects, budgets, and estates systems. The Head of Estates will drive continuous improvement through robust processes, performance management, and data-led decision making.
Key Responsibilities
Estates Operations
- Lead the day-to-day operational management of the Company's property portfolio.
- Ensure all properties are maintained to a high standard and remain safe, compliant, and operationally effective.
- Oversee the delivery of planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and reactive maintenance services.
- Ensure estates services are responsive to operational needs and support the delivery of high-quality care.
- Maintain oversight of property condition, maintenance backlogs, and improvement plans.
Compliance, Health & Safety
- Ensure full compliance with all statutory and regulatory property requirements.
- Maintain effective compliance programmes covering:
Fire safety
Gas safety
Electrical safety
Water hygiene and legionella
Asbestos management
Lifting equipment
Building safety
Environmental requirements
- Ensure all compliance records are accurate, up to date, and audit-ready.
- Lead investigations into estates-related incidents and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
- Support Company business continuity planning relating to estates and facilities management.
Contractor & Supplier Management
- Lead the procurement, appointment, and management of contractors and suppliers.
- Ensure contractors operate in line with contractual obligations, service level agreements, and Company standards.
- Monitor contractor performance through KPI reporting and regular performance reviews.
- Ensure value for money and effective contract management across all estates-related expenditure.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with external suppliers and professional advisers.
Financial Management
- Develop and manage operational estates budgets.
- Monitor expenditure, forecast costs, and ensure effective financial control across the estates function.
- Identify opportunities for efficiency savings and improved value for money.
- Support the Director of Estates in the development of annual capital and maintenance investment plans.
- Ensure procurement activity aligns with Company policies and financial governance requirements.
Projects, Mobilisation & Service Development
- Lead the delivery of estates-related projects, including refurbishments, compliance works, environmental improvements, and property enhancements.
- Support the mobilisation of new residential and supported living services.
- Work collaboratively with Business Development, Operations, and Finance teams to ensure new properties are operationally ready.
- Support property due diligence, feasibility assessments, and project planning activities.
- Contribute to Company growth plans by ensuring estates requirements are identified and delivered effectively.
Systems, Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and maintain KPI dashboards covering:
Statutory compliance
Maintenance performance
Contractor performance
Project delivery
Budget performance
Asset management
- Use data and reporting to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Lead the development and implementation of estates systems and processes.
- Ensure accurate asset records, compliance documentation, and management information are maintained.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the estates function.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead, coach, and develop colleagues within the Estates function.
- Establish clear performance expectations and accountability through effective supervision and performance management.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
- Support workforce planning, succession planning, and professional development within the team.
- Lead in line with the Company's PRIDE values and Company Ethos.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop effective working relationships with Operational Managing Directors, Divisional Directors, Regional Directors, and Service Managers.
- Ensure estates services are aligned with operational priorities and Company objectives.
- Work collaboratively with Quality, Finance, People, Systems & IT, and Business Development functions.
- Support co-production approaches where appropriate to ensure environments meet the needs of the People we Support.
Advocacy & Values
- Act as an advocate for people with learning disabilities, ensuring that property environments support dignity, independence, safety, and quality of life.
- Champion Company values and behaviours across the Estates function.
- Promote a culture that places people, quality, and continuous improvement at the heart of service delivery.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Significant experience in estates, facilities management, property compliance, or asset management.
- Experience managing multi-site property portfolios.
- Experience leading maintenance, compliance, and contractor management functions.
- Experience managing budgets and delivering value for money.
- Experience leading projects and delivering operational improvements.
- Experience managing and developing teams.
Essential Knowledge & Skills
- Strong understanding of statutory property compliance requirements.
- Knowledge of health and safety legislation and building regulations.
- Excellent contractor and supplier management skills.
- Financial and commercial awareness.
- Strong leadership and people management capability.
- Experience using systems, performance reporting, and KPI dashboards.
- Excellent planning, organisational, and communication skills.
Essential Qualifications
- Relevant professional qualification in Estates, Facilities Management, Building Services, Construction, Property Management, or related discipline.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Qualifications
- NEBOSH qualification.
- Fire Risk Assessment qualification.
- IWFM, RICS, CIOB, or equivalent professional membership.
- Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, APM, Level 3+ Project Management).
