Head of Assets

Taunton Town Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Taunton is seeking a Head of Assets to shape the future of its asset portfolio. You will lead compliance efforts and ensure operational assets are safe and sustainable. This pivotal role involves strategic oversight of property management, facilities, and fleet functions. Ideal candidates should demonstrate strong leadership, significant experience in asset management, and a commitment to community wellbeing. This position also offers hybrid working arrangements and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

Annual leave increases with service

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in property, asset, facilities, or compliance management.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Proven experience overseeing statutory compliance and health & safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for the Council’s asset management.
• Lead and develop the Assets Team.
• Manage the Council’s Asset Register.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Communication

Negotiation

Technical Knowledge in compliance

Education

Relevant degree or professional qualification

NEBOSH General Certificate

Job description

Head of Assets

Salary: £48,226 – £52,413 (SCP 37–41)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work as required
Contract: Permanent
Location: Taunton Town Council Depot/ Deane House, Taunton (with hybrid working available)
Closing Date: Friday 9th January 2025, 9.00am.

Are you an experienced asset, property, or facilities professional who cares deeply about creating safe, compliant, and well-managed public spaces and buildings for the people of Taunton?

If so, we’re looking for a Head of Assets to join our Strategic Leadership Team, providing expert leadership across property, facilities, compliance, and fleet management. This is a pivotal role ensuring the Council’s buildings, depot, leased properties, public conveniences, and operational assets are safe, legally compliant, sustainable, and delivering value for our community.

In this role, you’ll shape the future of our asset portfolio, lead on statutory compliance, drive energy efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives, and ensure high standards across all facilities and property functions.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for the Council’s asset management, compliance, facilities, and fleet functions.
• Act as the Council’s professional lead for property, health & safety, and statutory compliance, offering expert advice to councillors and senior officers.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the Assets Team, ensuring a culture of professionalism, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the maintenance, inspection, and statutory compliance of all Council buildings, leased assets, public conveniences, the depot, and other facilities.
• Manage the Council’s Asset Register, working with Finance to ensure accurate records of acquisitions, disposals, valuations, and leases.
• Oversee property management functions, including landlord responsibilities, tenancy matters, rent reviews, and lease negotiations.
• Lead on fleet management, ensuring effective procurement, maintenance, compliance, and sustainability planning.
• Oversee statutory testing and inspections — including fire safety, asbestos, Legionella, EICR, and COSHH — ensuring safe systems of work.
• Manage procurement, contracts, and delivery of refurbishment, compliance, and facilities projects.
• Develop planned and reactive maintenance programmes and lifecycle investment plans.
• Monitor budgets, prepare business cases, ensure compliance with Financial Regulations, and identify opportunities for income generation.
• Maintain robust health & safety management systems, risk registers, and emergency planning arrangements.
• Work collaboratively with partners, consultants, tenants, and contractors to ensure high‑quality service delivery and best value.
• Promote the Council’s PACT values, ensuring services reflect our commitments to equality, sustainability, and community wellbeing.

About You

You’ll be a confident and proactive leader with strong technical knowledge in property, facilities, estate management, or compliance, ideally within a local government or public sector environment.

You’ll bring a blend of strategic insight and operational experience, with excellent people skills, a commitment to high standards, and the ability to manage complex portfolios and statutory responsibilities.

Essential attributes

• Significant experience in property, asset, facilities, or compliance management.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Proven experience overseeing statutory compliance and health & safety.
• Experience managing leases, tenancies, contracts, and property transactions.
• Budget management and financial planning experience.
• Strong project management skills and experience delivering compliance or refurbishment projects.
• Up-to-date knowledge of H&S legislation, building compliance, and landlord responsibilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and report‑writing skills.
• Commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Desirable attributes

• Relevant degree or professional qualification.
• NEBOSH General Certificate, IOSH Managing Safely, or equivalent.
• Additional compliance training (e.g., Fire Safety, Asbestos, Legionella).
• Experience managing fleet operations and associated compliance.

What We Offer

• 23 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 2 years, and 30 after 5 years), plus bank holidays and 2 additional statutory days.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A chance to make a tangible and lasting impact on the town’s buildings, facilities, and public realm.

Interested?

For more information about the role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification available below.

The closing date for applications is 9.00am on 9th January 2025
Completed application forms should be submitted to [e-mail]

Please note: CVs are not accepted.