Director of Corporate Property & Estates

London Borough of Tower Hamlets; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is seeking a Director of Corporate Property and Estates to optimize asset utilization across a substantial portfolio. This role requires an experienced professional with financial acumen and exceptional stakeholder management skills to lead a new Directorate Leadership Team. You will be pivotal in driving strategies to manage the council’s significant assets while ensuring high standards of service and sustainability, aligning with the borough's values of diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experienced asset management professional with leadership skills.
• Demonstrable evidence of managing large-scale asset portfolios.
• Strong financial acumen and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a substantial commercial portfolio worth £1.6bn.
• Manage community buildings and strategic assets.
• Deliver a high-standard Facilities Management function.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Acumen

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Planning

Commercial Awareness

Job description

Tower Hamlets is the fastest growing and most densely populated local authority in the UK. More and more people want to live, work, visit and invest in our borough.

We deliver the third largest economic output in the UK with areas such as Canary Wharf and is a prime location for business and residential developments as our borough borders The City, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the River Thames.

Tower Hamlets also has London’s highest housing target and the youngest average age, all within one of capital’s smallest geographical boundaries. Space is at a premium with flats making up more than 80% of properties in our borough.

As our Director of Corporate Property and Estates, you will be responsible for the council’s significant assets portfolio. Reporting to the Corporate Director for Housing & Regeneration David Joyce, you will spearhead key strategies and projects to drive and optimize asset utilisation across Tower Hamlets.

You will be responsible for:

• Overseeing a substantial commercial portfolio of 990 assets worth £1.6bn with a rental income of income of £2.85m per annum.
• Maintaining an extensive community buildings portfolio that supports our commitment to working with the VCS to deliver for residents.
• Working with partners to unlock the potential on large strategic assets including sites such as Billingsgate Market (jointly with the City of London)
• Overseeing a dynamic approach to acquisitions and disposals to meet our diverse needs, such as temporary accommodation.
• Levering in all available powers such as CPO powers to secure important developments.
• Delivering a first-class Facilities Management function across our estate which includes managing our RIBA award winning Town Hall.

You’ll be working with a newly appointed Directorate Leadership Team, based in our award- winning Town Hall and with committed and talented staff

About You

We are seeking an experienced asset management professional, with proven leadership skills and attributes, experience of managing large-scale asset portfolios to optimize value and sustainability. A strong financial acumen is essential as well as exceptional stakeholder management skills.

You will need to have demonstrable evidence of leading and delivering similar services to a very high standard within a large, complex organisation. This includes the ability to lead organisational and service change at a corporate level in a challenging environment.

We are looking for an individual who will inspire trust and respect with everyone they work with. Someone who possesses a successful track record of building relationships with stakeholders, achieving constructive outcomes and also has experience in using strategic and service planning target setting and performance management.

Financial and commercial awareness, highly effective budgeting and financial management skills are essential. As one of the most visited places in the UK, there are significant opportunities to generate much needed income.

You will be politically sensitive and have a strong belief in the value of local democracy and accountability. You will also have a strong commitment to our values, behaviours and equal opportunity policy, and be ready to demonstrate personal leadership on the importance of diversity.

Our council is a beacon for diversity and inclusion. We want a borough where everyone feels valued and included, and we want a council that collaborates to deliver excellence.

That’s why we look for people with our TOWER values of Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respectful.

Technical interviews: Conducted during w/c 28th July or w/c 4th August 2025

Final interview date: Tuesday 9^th September 2025

Contact:

To apply please visit https://execroles.penna.com/

For a confidential conversation about the roles, please contact our retained consultants at Penna:

Pete John on 07701 305617 or email: [e-mail]

Julie Towers on 07764 791736 or email: [e-mail]