Estate Services Manager

Dacorum Borough Council; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Dacorum Borough Council is seeking an experienced Estate Services Manager to provide strategic direction for estate cleaning and related services across housing communities. You will manage a frontline team, ensure safety, value for money and high customer standards.

Collaboration with Housing Management and Corporate Services will be essential. The role focuses on performance, governance and continuous improvement, while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing estate services, cleaning services, facilities management or a comparable operational service.
• Experience leading managers, supervisors or operational teams.
• Strong understanding of service performance, governance and compliance.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements and operational risk management.
• Experience managing budgets and delivering value for money.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to lead through change and drive service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of Estate Services.
• Lead and develop a high-performing operational team.
• Manage performance, budgets, contracts and service standards.
• Drive service improvement and transformational change.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety and regulatory requirements.
• Lead on complaints, Member enquiries and stakeholder engagement.
• Work collaboratively across Housing Management and the wider Council.

Skills

Estate management

People leadership

Budget management

Health & safety

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Ref: H7446 Are you an experienced operational manager with a passion for service excellence, people leadership and continuous improvement?

Job Description Permanent Ref: H7446 Are you an experienced operational manager with a passion for service excellence, people leadership and continuous improvement?

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Dacorum Borough Council as our Estate Services Manager, providing strategic leadership and direction to a highly valued frontline service that supports our housing communities every day.

This is a key management role within Housing Management, responsible for ensuring our estate cleaning and associated services are safe, efficient, customer-focused and provide excellent value for money.

You will lead a dedicated team and be accountable for service performance, compliance, workforce management, health and safety, budgets, contracts and service improvement activities. You will work closely with colleagues across Housing, Community Safety, Repairs and Corporate Services to deliver high standards and ensure a positive experience for residents.

We're looking for a visible and confident leader who can inspire their team, build strong relationships and drive continuous improvement whilst maintaining a strong focus on customer service and regulatory compliance.

The Role

You will:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of Estate Services.
• Lead and develop a high-performing operational team.
• Manage performance, budgets, contracts and service standards.
• Drive service improvement and transformational change.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety and regulatory requirements.
• Lead on complaints, Member enquiries and stakeholder engagement.
• Work collaboratively across Housing Management and the wider Council.

About You

You will have:

• Significant experience managing estate services, cleaning services, facilities management or a comparable operational service.
• Experience leading managers, supervisors or operational teams.
• Strong understanding of service performance, governance and compliance.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements and operational risk management.
• Experience managing budgets and delivering value for money.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to lead through change and drive service improvement.

Previous local authority or housing sector experience would be advantageous, although applications are welcomed from candidates with relevant transferable experience from other sectors.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role within a progressive Housing Management Service that is committed to delivering high-quality services for residents.

You will join a supportive management team and have the opportunity to influence service delivery, shape future improvements and contribute to wider organisational priorities at an exciting time for local government.

Applicants must hold a full driving licence valid in the UK.

A satisfactory Basic DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.

The deadline for applications will be midnight on the closing date shown in the advert details.

Interview Date: Week commencing 2 November 2026

Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation

The Council is going through a major change as part of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and devolution. This means that the district and borough councils in Hertfordshire will be replaced by a smaller number of new unitary councils.

The aim is to make local government simpler and more efficient, improve services for residents, and bring decision-making closer to the communities we serve.

What This Means For You

If you join Dacorum Borough Council between now and 31 March 2029, you will move to a new organisation on 1 April 2029. Your role will transfer to the new authority, but the way you work and who you report to may change.

While this may be different from what you are used to, it is also a rare and exciting opportunity to join Dacorum at a time of real change.

You will have the chance to help shape the future of local services and be part of building something new.

The new unitary councils will create opportunities for innovation, growth, and better public services. They will offer a more joined-up and forward-looking working environment for employees.

We are committed to supporting our staff and continuing to deliver high-quality services for residents throughout this change.

Together, we are building a better future.