Group Director of Estates

Suffolk County Council; Bury St Edmunds; Remote; GBP 61,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Wellbeing initiatives

Free parking

Company events

Discount schemes

Staff development days

Subject course development

EDI and neurodiverse communities

Career progression

Job summary

Eastern Education Group is seeking a Group Director of Estates to provide strategic leadership for a diverse, multi-site education estate. You will report to the Chief Financial Officer and sit on the executive team, guiding long-term estates strategy.

You will oversee the group’s property portfolio, facilities services, capital investment programmes, and compliance, building safety and sustainability initiatives across sites, working with multiple stakeholders to deliver high-quality

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in estates, property or facilities management.
• Experience delivering long-term estate strategies and capital projects.
• Ability to influence at executive level and manage large budgets and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of a long-term estates strategy.
• Oversee property portfolio, facilities services and capital investment programmes.
• Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders to maximise estate utilisation.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

Estates management

Budget management

Capital projects

Stakeholder management

Job description

• Eastern Education Group
• Address: Out Risbygate, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3RL (Cross site role)
• Salary: £60,603 - £66,726 per annum
• Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
• Contract: Permanent, required as soon as possible
• Reference: 5683

Eastern Education Group are seeking an outstanding Group Director of Estates to provide strategic leadership for one of the region's most diverse and ambitious education estates. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and serving as a member of the executive team, you will lead the development and delivery of a long‑term estates strategy that supports organisational growth, enhances learner experiences and ensures our campuses, facilities and infrastructure remain fit for the future.

This highly influential role encompasses strategic responsibility for the group's extensive property portfolio, facilities services, capital investment programmes and estate development opportunities. You will provide expert advice to senior leaders and governors, overseeing estate planning, compliance, building safety, asset management and sustainability initiatives across multiple sites. Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, you will identify opportunities to maximise estate utilisation, secure investment and funding, and deliver high-quality environments that support education, training and community engagement.

You will bring substantial senior leadership experience within estates, property or facilities management, ideally gained within a complex multi‑site or highly regulated environment. You will have a proven track record of developing and delivering long‑term estate strategies, leading major capital projects and infrastructure programmes, and managing significant budgets, contracts and stakeholder relationships. Equally important will be your ability to influence at executive level, translate strategic ambition into practical delivery and build high‑performing teams that drive continuous improvement.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future direction of Eastern Education Group's estate, ensuring it remains a catalyst for growth, innovation and educational excellence. If you are a forward‑thinking estates leader with the vision, commercial acumen and strategic expertise to make a lasting impact, we would welcome your application.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits including:

• Membership into Local Government Pension Scheme
• Family friendly policies and flexible working
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Free parking
• Company events
• Access to various memberships and discount schemes
• Learning and development opportunities, including staff development days
• Funded subject course development for your role
• Range of staff communities, including EDI and neurodiverse communities
• Career progression opportunities

Eastern Education Group is a dynamic and forward‑thinking education provider committed to delivering high‑quality learning experiences across multiple institutions. Our group encompasses a diverse range of educational settings, including schools, further education colleges, and specialist learning provisions, ensuring that learners of all ages and backgrounds receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

At the heart of our mission is a dedication to excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in education. We strive to create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Through strong partnerships with local communities, businesses, and industry leaders, we ensure our curriculum remains relevant, equipping students with the skills and knowledge required for future careers.

At Eastern Education Group, we believe sustainability is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for a more sustainable future while reducing our environmental impact and supporting the transition to a low‑carbon economy.

Our group also prioritises supporting students with additional learning needs, offering specialist provisions for those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs), and vocational training to empower every learner. We take a holistic approach to education, combining academic excellence with pastoral care, safeguarding, and wellbeing initiatives to foster a safe and supportive learning environment.

As a collective, Eastern Education Group is committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and maintaining high standards across all our institutions. We work closely with regulatory bodies, including Ofsted, to ensure compliance and the highest quality of teaching, learning, and student support. Our leadership team, educators, and support staff are dedicated to shaping the future of education, driving positive change, and enabling learners to realise their full potential.

As a group, our Character Strengths and Mission Statement underpin our expectations of all our students and employees. Please familiarise yourself with these and incorporate them into your personal statement; this will be of benefit if you are invited to attend for an interview.

This is an opportunity to join a hugely supportive organisation where we value, support and facilitate your professional development, as well as offering many other benefits including an attractive pension scheme, staff wellbeing initiatives and employee assistance.

For more information

Please read the Job Description (pdf) or alternatively, please visit our website.

Please contact the school via email: [e-mail]

We reserve the right to appoint prior to listed closing date, early applications are encouraged.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, gender, gender reassignment, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age in accordance with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

The group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The group is committed to safeguarding children and safer recruitment practices and will undertake all the required pre-employment checks on the successful candidate including an enhanced DBS Disclosure.

All data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. For more information about how we access and use your information please visit our website.