Job Description:

Director of Estates

Location: Merseyside
Salary: £65,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full-time

We are working in partnership with a leading Further Education college in Merseyside to recruit an experienced Director of Estates to lead the strategic development, management and performance of its estate.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an estates professional who can combine strategic vision with strong operational delivery, ensuring that buildings, facilities and infrastructure are safe, compliant, sustainable and fit for the future.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will play a key role in shaping the college’s estates strategy, overseeing capital investment and ensuring that the estate supports an excellent experience for learners, staff and visitors.

The Role

As Director of Estates, you will take overall responsibility for the effective management and development of the college estate, including facilities management, maintenance, capital projects, statutory compliance, security and sustainability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering a long-term estates and asset management strategy.

• Leading capital projects, refurbishment programmes and estate improvement plans.

• Ensuring statutory compliance, health and safety, risk management and regulatory obligations are effectively managed.

• Overseeing maintenance, cleaning, security and facilities services.

• Managing estates budgets, procurement, contracts and supplier relationships, ensuring value for money.

• Driving sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental performance.

• Leading and developing estates and facilities teams.

• Working with senior leaders and governors to inform investment decisions and report on estate performance.

About you

You will be an experienced estates or facilities management professional with a proven track record of leading complex estates operations and delivering strategic and operational improvements.

You will ideally have:

• Significant senior-level estates, facilities or asset management experience, preferably across multiple sites.

• Experience developing estates strategies and planned maintenance programmes.

• A strong track record of delivering capital projects and refurbishment programmes.

• Experience managing substantial budgets, procurement and commercial contracts.

• Comprehensive knowledge of statutory compliance, health and safety and risk management.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing contractors.

• Strong communication, financial and strategic decision-making skills.

• An understanding of sustainability and energy management.

A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience is expected. Qualifications in estates, facilities management, construction, health and safety or project management would be advantageous.

Experience in Further Education, education or the wider public sector would be particularly beneficial.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to shape the future of a significant education estate, influence long-term investment decisions and improve the environment for learners, staff and visitors.

You will play a key role in ensuring the estate remains safe, compliant, efficient and sustainable while supporting the organisation’s wider strategic ambitions.

Apply now

If you are an experienced estates leader ready to take on a senior role with strategic influence and operational responsibility, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

Please submit your CV or contact our recruitment team to discuss the opportunity.