Head of Asset Management - Managed Estate

National Highways; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways is recruiting a Head of Asset Management (Managed Estate) to lead teams responsible for the non-occupied estate and land held for future schemes. You will shape strategy, drive value, and ensure safety and governance while delivering commercial outcomes across a wide portfolio.

The role requires Chartered Surveyor (RICS) credentials, experience in complex property portfolios, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Lead strategy and management of a large property portfolio.
• Disposals, landlord/tenant matters and property compliance.
• Provide expert advice on leases, wayleaves and easements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy and management of the managed estate to maximise value and efficiency.
• Oversee governance, safety and statutory compliance across the estate.
• Direct disposals and transaction management for non-core properties.
• Manage external contracts to ensure service levels and value for money.
• Guide cross‑functional teams to align property work with corporate objectives.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Budget management

Strategic thinking

Education

Chartered Surveyor (RICS)

Job description

At National Highways, our land and property assets play an important role in supporting the delivery of major infrastructure programmes, operational activities and wider organisational priorities. As our next Head of Asset Management (Managed Estate), you'll lead the teams responsible for managing our non-occupied estate, ensuring land held pending future schemes and property no longer required by the business is managed strategically, safely and efficiently.

You'll play a key role within the Estates & Facilities Leadership Team, helping to drive a more integrated and commercially focused approach to land and property management that delivers value, supports corporate objectives and enables long‑term business success.

This role can be based at one of our main offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Wakefield, Leeds or Manchester with regular travel required to our offices in Exeter, as this is where the majority of the teams are based. Travel to our property portfolio sites across the network will also be required.

• Lead the strategy and management of National Highways' managed estate, maximising value from the non-occupied property portfolio and land held pending future schemes while balancing commercial performance, cost efficiency and wider organisational priorities.
• Ensure the estate remains safe, compliant and effectively governed, meeting all relevant statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements.
• Oversee the disposal of property no longer required by the business, providing leadership across strategy, programme planning, governance and transaction management.
• Oversee the effective contract management of large external suppliers to maintain levels of service and value for money.
• Provide expert advice on complex property matters, including leases, wayleaves, easements, landlord and tenant issues, acquisitions and disposals.
• Contribute to the leadership of Estates & Facilities, driving continuous improvement, cross‑functional collaboration and best practice across land and property management activities.

• Qualified Chartered Surveyor (RICS) with proven experience in property management, estates management or strategic property leadership.
• Experience managing complex property portfolios, including disposals, landlord and tenant matters, valuations and property compliance.
• Ability to lead high‑performing teams and manage delivery through internal colleagues and external partners.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across a wide range of internal and external audiences.
• Experience of managing budgets, contracts and financial plans, with strong commercial awareness and a focus on delivering value.
• Ability to think strategically, connect priorities across a complex organisation and translate property expertise into practical business outcomes.

Delivery is a huge collective exercise, with collaboration between Business Services Directorate (BSD) and every other part of the business. Getting it right means success for us all. Our remit in BSD is very broad - and there is a lot to do.

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Business Services plays a crucial role in supporting the efficient operation and growth of the strategic road network. We provide a wide range of essential services across the organisation, ensuring that all functions run smoothly and effectively. We work behind the scenes to support the delivery of high‑quality infrastructure and services, ensuring that National Highways meets its commitments to safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Our key areas of focus include estates & facilities, procurement, finance, human resources, IT, and strategic planning. We ensure the company operates efficiently, delivers projects on time and within budget, and meets the needs of stakeholders. By offering expert advice, managing resources, and driving operational excellence, we support National Highways in achieving its mission of maintaining and improving the road network across the country.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.