Built Environment and Sustainability Manager

hireful; St Albans; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in St Albans seeks a Built Environment and Sustainability Manager to lead the management of operational properties and enhance sustainability initiatives. Candidates should possess a degree, extensive property management experience, and can effectively engage stakeholders. Benefits include generous leave, pension contributions, and flexible working options. This role offers an exciting opportunity to impact the council's sustainability strategy while fostering a commitment to service improvement.

Benefits

26.5 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working options

Professional fees reimbursement

Comprehensive training and development

Qualifications

• Extensive post-qualification experience in a relevant field.
• Comprehensive estates and property management service delivery.
• Knowledge and experience of regulatory guidelines for estate management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Council’s operational estate and assets.
• Oversee buildings and facilities management and maintenance.
• Ensure emergency procedures for operational properties are in place.

Skills

People skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of sustainability

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree level education or equivalent technical qualification

Job description

Built Environment and Sustainability Manager

Location: Civic Centre, St Peter's Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JE. Flexible working including hybrid working

Salary: £56,316 up to £60,737 inclusive annual salary, plus essential car user allowance, and up to 19.7 percent employer pension contribution

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)

About the role

Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced built environment professional to lead and manage the core functions associated with the management of the Council’s operational estate and associated assets.

The role is responsible for all aspects of the effective management of the Council’s portfolio of operational buildings and other built assets as well as providing support services which span the Council’s non-housing property portfolios (operational, leisure & heritage, community and commercial assets).

This is an exciting and varied role which involves providing direction and oversight to a range of related service areas, including: buildings and facilities management and maintenance, compliance, infrastructure, contract management and sustainability.

There is a significant line management component to the role, managing other managers as well capability development and performance management.

There will be a particular focus on ensuring suitable and sufficient emergency procedures for the Council’s operational property asset portfolio are in place and this role holder will lead on business continuity for the department.

The Council has an ambitious strategy to achieve net zero and this role will contribute to this through oversight of the Council’s sustainability function, coordinating the Council’s approach to developing and implementing actions relating to decarbonisation and energy management.

About you

• It is anticipated the successful candidate will be educated to degree level (or equivalent technical qualification) with extensive post-qualification experience in a comparable, complex organisation. This need not mean a background in local government, though practical and procedural knowledge of public sector practice is desirable.
• It is essential that you have significant experience of delivering comprehensive estates and property management services (both in house and outsourced), as well as in-depth knowledge and experience of regulatory guidelines and statutory compliance requirements for estate management. This should extend to operational H&S, emergency planning and business continuity.
• In addition, it is important that you have a knowledge and understanding of sustainability approaches and willingness to develop this part of the role.
• You will possess excellent people skills allied with the proven ability to listen, explain, negotiate and influence. You will be an enthusiastic, skilled subject matter expert with excellent presentation and report writing skills.
• You’ll need analytical and communication skills, political acumen, and the confidence to engage with stakeholders at all levels. The ability to effectively operate in a political environment is also important.
• A forward-thinker with a strong customer focus, you’ll drive forward service improvements while fostering innovation and performance improvement. Above all, you’ll embody the Council’s values and behaviours and deliver the best outcomes for our residents.
• You will be required to attend evening meetings and evening and weekend working as needed from time to time.

St Albans is a unique English Cathedral City with a colourful history which can be seen in the Roman remains and variety of beautiful architecture, heritage sites and conservation areas. Set within green belt, off the M25, A1M and M1 the District includes a cathedral, vibrant city centre and award winning market and thriving villages. Our clients centrally located offices in the city are near to the station (London St Pancras 20 minutes), shops and restaurants. In short it is a great place to live and work.

Benefits

• 26.5 days basic annual leave (increasing with service) + bank holidays.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with current employer contribution up to 19.7 percent employer contributions
• Flexible working options
• Staff Parking Permit
• Reimbursement of professional fees
• Comprehensive development and training
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
• Access to discounts and benefits via online platform

This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Check.

Closing date for applications

Monday 12th January 2026

Interview schedule

Monday 26th January 2026 (subject to change)

NOTE: Interviews are conducted throughout the application process. They reserve the right to close the vacancy at an earlier date and they strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

You may also have experience in the following: Head of Estates, Head of Property & Estates, Strategic Estates Manager, Estates & Facilities Manager, Head of Asset Management, Corporate Property Manager, Director of Estates & Facilities, Senior Estates Manager, Built Environment Manager, Property & Asset Management Lead, Head of Facilities Management, Operational Property Manager, Head of Infrastructure & Compliance, Estates & Sustainability Manager, Property Services Manager (Estates)

REF-225 780