Associate Director of Estates and Facilities

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Crawley; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Crawley seeks an Associate Director of Estates and Facilities. The successful candidate will oversee management for 110 properties, developing strategies to align with clinical and financial goals. Responsibilities include leading teams, ensuring compliance with regulations, and driving sustainability initiatives. A collaborative leader with experience in estate strategies and capital investment is essential. The role offers flexible working and benefits such as NHS pension and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

NHS Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in estates and facilities management, capital investment, safety and quality improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic and operational objectives.
• Successful applicants will start at the bottom of the AFC banding unless proven NHS experience is shown.

Responsibilities

• Lead estates and facilities management for 110 properties across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
• Develop and deliver the Trust's Estates and Facilities strategy.
• Drive sustainability initiatives, including fleet electrification.

Skills

Estates and facilities management

Capital investment

Safety and quality improvement

Strategic transformation

Collaboration with executive directors

Job description

Associate Director of Estates and Facilities

The Associate Director of Estates and Facilities is responsible for the senior leadership and associated budget management of the Trust's estates and facilities service. The post holder will lead the estate strategy and the operational delivery of estates, engineering, facilities and property functions for 110 properties across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. As a member of the Trust Senior Leadership Team, the Associate Director shares responsibility for delivering the organisation's strategic goals and objectives as established by the Trust Board, ensuring estates and facilities services are aligned to the clinical, workforce and finance strategies of the Trust.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the trust‑wide lead for estates and facilities management.
• Develop and deliver the Trust's Estates and Facilities strategy, including capital investment and operational excellence.
• Lead and inspire a dedicated team through a period of exciting change.
• Champion innovation and embed Net‑Zero principles in all aspects of estates and facilities management.
• Drive sustainability initiatives, including fleet electrification and other blue‑light partner projects.
• Report directly to the Chief Finance Officer and advise the Executive Team on strategic decisions.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, Care Quality Commission (CQC), NHS and legislative requirements.
• Identify and manage estates‑related risks in line with the Trust's Risk Management Strategy.

Qualifications and Experience

• Successful applicants will be placed at the bottom of the AFC banding unless proven NHS or equivalent experience is demonstrated.
• Experience in estates and facilities management, capital investment, safety and quality improvement.
• Experience in strategic transformation schemes and One Public Estate initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic and operational objectives and work collaboratively with executive directors.

Equal Opportunities

The Trust is passionately committed to being an inclusive employer, offering a range of family‑friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement networks and support for staff from different backgrounds. We actively support equality of opportunity for all staff and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief. The Trust is making progress towards its aim of becoming more reflective of the diversity of our community in the workforce and guarantees an interview to candidates with disability who meet the essential criteria specified. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and disabled applicants and other under‑represented groups. The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled people – including those with long‑term health conditions, learning disabilities and hidden disabilities such as dyslexia. If you disclose a disability we can make reasonable adjustments to ensure that any selection processes – including the interview – are fair and equitable.

Benefits

• NHS Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave
• Professional development and leadership training
• Flexible working options
• Disclosed salary range in line with AFC pay scales

Applicants are required to be vaccinated against SARS‑CoV‑2 unless medically exempt, and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (basic, standard or enhanced) will be required depending on the role. Successful candidates will also receive a standard Monthly Timesheet for claiming Section 2 unsocial hours as per the Agenda for Change handbook.