Reed
Director of Estates
Salary: £65-80,000 base salary
Benefits: Flexible working hours, 35 days holiday entitlement + bank holidays + 2 weeks Christmas leave, Local Government Pension plus more
Location: Birmingham/Black Country (Based on site)
Are you an estates leader who can shape strategy, drive capital projects, and deliver a safe, sustainable, high-performing estate?
This team requires a leader to bring stability, direction and lead on a handful on key projects.
A leading higher education organisation has retained me to hire their new Director of Estates following on from a contractor I had had in place.
This opportunity is to take ownership of its estate strategy, capital projects, operational delivery, compliance, and long-term development.
This is a pivotal, high-impact role at the heart of the organisation’s future.
The Role
You will lead the entire estates function — overseeing maintenance, cleaning, caretaking, security, catering, capital development, health & safety, and sustainability.
You will have 5 direct reports.
Working closely with the board, you’ll set the strategic direction for the estate, manage multi-million-pound budgets, oversee tenders and contracts, and embed a culture of safety, digital innovation, and value for money across all operations.
Key projects:
- Look at structure of the team and evaluate strengths
- Review current systems and processes and make recommendations for improvement
- Getting SLA’s in place
- Improve MI reporting
- Disposal of £1m property
- Manage capital projects with value of approx. £4.5m
- Lead on Net Zero commitment by 2041
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the estates department and support the CFO with strategic planning
- Develop and deliver the college’s estates strategy and ensure policy compliance
- Manage and motivate the estates team, shaping structure, performance and development
- Oversee all health & safety, ensuring full statutory compliance
- Manage revenue and capital budgets, producing accurate financial and operational reporting
- Lead tendering, procurement and contract management for estates and capital projects
- Commission property audits, condition surveys, and space utilisation reviews
- Provide timely insights and advice to senior leaders and governors
- Support risk management, resource planning and sustainability initiatives
- Represent the college with external agencies and sit on the Wider Management Team
- Act as Duty Manager and deputise for senior leaders when required
What You Bring
- Experience of leading an estates team and strategy
- Strong senior leadership in estates, facilities, or capital projects
- Deep understanding of H&S, statutory compliance, and property management
- Excellent strategic planning, contract management, and budget control
- Ability to drive cultural, operational and sustainability improvements
- Confident communicator who can influence at all levels
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a large, diverse estate and lead meaningful transformation — with immediate impact.
If you can start quickly and thrive in strategic, hands-on environments…
Apply now — interviews happening immediately.
To apply for this job please visit www.reed.co.uk.
Make this application stronger
Use these quick checks before applying so your CV, interview preparation and job search are better matched to this vacancy.
Before you apply
Check the key details and make sure the role matches what you are looking for.
- Review the job title, company, location, salary and working pattern if provided.
- Check the skills, experience or qualifications requested by the employer.
- Make sure the commute, hours and contract type are realistic for you.
Tailor your CV
For Teaching Jobs, highlight the most relevant skills, experience and achievements linked to this type of work. Keep it honest, clear and focused on what the employer is asking for.
Use the CV Builder or browse Career Advice.
Prepare for interview
If your application is successful, prepare simple examples that show your motivation, strengths and suitability.
Keep searching smarter
Do not rely on one application. Keep searching similar roles and set up alerts so new vacancies reach you faster.