Director of Estates

IWFM; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension

31 days leave + 3 closure days

Mileage allowance

CPD support

Leadership development

Cycle to Work

Employee assistance programme

Discounts

EV charging access

EV salary sacrifice 2027

Job summary

IWFM is seeking a Director of Estates to provide strategic leadership across the Trust's estate, facilities management and safety functions. You will report to the COO and guide schools, governance committees and executives on estates matters.

You will lead the central estates team, setting professional direction and standards across site-based premises teams while driving sustainability, data-driven planning and risk management.

Qualifications

• Senior-level estates or facilities leadership in a complex, multi-site setting.
• Professional body membership (MRICS/MCIOB/MAPM/ChPP/MIWFM) or progress toward it.
• Degree in a built-environment discipline or equivalent experience.
• IOSH Managing Safely or higher H&S qualification or willing to achieve within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Estates Strategy and Asset Management Plan.
• Manage capital programme and ~£4.5m per year of SCA funding; oversee budgets and funding.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Estates management

Compliance & H&S

Stakeholder engagement

Data analytics

Digital transformation

Education

MRICS/MCIOB/MAPM/ChPP/MIWFM membership

Degree in built-environment or equivalent

Tools

CAFM system

Job description

Your new company

You will be joining a growing, values-led multi-academy trust comprising 31 schools and supporting approximately 14,500 children across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall. With ambitions to grow further across the South West, the organisation is committed to providing safe, sustainable and effective environments in which children can learn and staff can work.

This is an exciting time to join as the organisation develops its long-term approach to estates management, capital investment, compliance, sustainability and digital transformation.

Your new role

As Director of Estates, you will provide strategic leadership across the Trust's estate, facilities management and premises health and safety functions. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will act as senior adviser on estates matters, working closely with executive leaders, governance committees and schools.

You will lead the central estates team while providing professional direction and consistent standards across site-based premises teams.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering the Estates Strategy and Asset Management Plan, including condition, lifecycle and investment planning.
• Leading the capital programme and managing approximately 4.5m per year of School Condition Allocation funding, alongside estates budgets and external funding opportunities.
• Overseeing capital projects from feasibility and procurement through delivery, handover and review, controlling cost, programme, quality and risk.
• Ensuring robust statutory compliance, premises health and safety and risk management, including fire, asbestos, water hygiene, gas and electrical compliance.
• Providing strategic oversight of planned/reactive maintenance, cleaning and wider FM services, ensuring consistent standards and value for money.
• Using estate, condition and compliance data to inform investment priorities and long-term planning.
• Leading property and estates due diligence relating to organisational growth, including academy transfers, leases, licences and land matters.
• Driving sustainability and decarbonisation, including energy management, climate resilience and low-carbon investment.
• Leading implementation of a new CAFM system in 2027, using data, automation and AI to improve compliance, efficiency and decision-making.
• Leading and developing the estates team and providing professional direction across a complex multi-site organisation.
• Advising and reporting to senior leadership and governance committees on estates performance, investment, compliance and risk.
• Supporting business continuity, emergency planning and physical security across the estate.
• Building effective relationships with schools, the Department for Education, local authorities, dioceses, consultants, contractors and other partners. This is an influential leadership opportunity with significant scope to shape the organisation's long-term estates strategy and ensure its buildings remain safe, compliant, sustainable and fit for the future.

What you'll need to succeed

You will be an accomplished estates, facilities or property professional with significant senior-level experience within a complex, multi-site organisation. Education experience is beneficial but not essential, and candidates with transferable experience are encouraged to apply.

You will need:

• Full membership of a relevant professional body such as MRICS, MCIOB, MAPM, ChPP, MIWFM or equivalent, or be substantially progressing towards full membership and able to achieve this within 18 months.
• A degree/Level 6 qualification in a relevant built-environment discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• IOSH Managing Safely or a higher H&S qualification, or willingness to achieve this within six months.
• A strong track record of delivering complex capital programmes and projects to time, cost and quality.
• Experience of procurement, consultant appointments and contract administration, ideally including JCT/NEC and public-sector procurement.
• Strong statutory compliance, premises H&S and risk management experience.
• Proven experience of leading professional teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience reporting and presenting recommendations to boards, committees or senior leadership.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budget management, cost control and value for money.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Strong digital capability and confidence using data and modern technology.
• Ability to travel independently across the South West. Desirable experience includes: NEBOSH/Chartered status; asset and lifecycle planning; DfE capital funding/SCA; property due diligence; decarbonisation; CAFM implementation; and knowledge of DfE estates guidance.

What you'll get in return

You will receive a salary of 74,964 to 82,224 alongside an excellent benefits package including:

• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• 31 days' annual leave plus 3 Christmas closure days, totalling 34 days, with bank/public holidays in addition.
• Mileage paid for travel between sites.
• CPD budget and support towards professional memberships and qualifications.
• Leadership and management development.
• Cycle to Work and Tech Schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health support.
• Employee discounts, flu and eye-care vouchers.
• Discounted on-site EV charging where available.
• Planned EV salary sacrifice scheme from 2027.

Please note, interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on 17 December 2026.