Head of Estate Operations

The Sheffield College; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK higher education institution is seeking a Head of Estate Operations to lead the delivery of estate services across multiple campuses. This role involves overseeing compliance, maintenance, and campus operations while managing budgets effectively. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and experience in the education sector, ensuring that high-quality services are delivered to support teaching and learning. The salary range is between £51,950 and £60,224 annually, accompanied by generous employee benefits.

Benefits

Enhanced Pension contributions scheme with SYPA - 17.1%

Annual leave - 42 Days + 8 Bank Holidays

Health and wellbeing programs through Bupa

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leadership roles within operational management.
• Strong understanding of estate operations and compliance requirements.
• Experience in budget management and financial monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate estate operational delivery across multiple services.
• Provide leadership and support to the estates managers.
• Monitor service level agreements and ensure compliance delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Budget Management

Compliance Oversight

Effective Communication

Sustainability Initiatives

Education

Relevant Degree or Professional Qualification

Job description

About Us

The Sheffield College is a further and higher education institution dedicated to providing academic, vocational, and professional qualifications to approximately 13,000 young people and adults annually. Our mission is to transform lives through learning, advocating for inclusivity and diversity at every stage.

We have high aspirations and standards for ourselves, and our learners, and this role is a key one in ensuring that the College's estate is operated safely, efficiently and effectively to support teaching, learning and community use.

About The Role

The Head of Estate Operations is responsible for leading the day-to-day delivery of estate services across the College. The role oversees operational managers within compliance, maintenance, campus operations and facilities hire, ensuring coordinated and high-quality service delivery. The post-holder will drive performance, oversee contracts and budgets, and act as deputy to the Director when required.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate estates operational delivery across compliance, maintenance, campus operations, sustainability initiatives and facilities hire.
• Provide effective leadership of the estates managers, ensuring objectives set are clear, monitored and achieved.
• Provide coaching, support and professional development opportunities to direct reports.
• Lead regular team meetings, performance reviews and communication to ensure clarity of objectives and standards.
• Promote positive staff engagement, wellbeing and inclusion.
• Act as a key liaison point with College leadership, curriculum teams and professional services to ensure estates services enable delivery of teaching and learning.
• Ensure effective deployment of resources to meet operational priorities across multiple campuses.
• Oversee delivery of statutory compliance by ensuring managers implement robust systems, escalating risks to the Director.
• Ensure planned and reactive maintenance is delivered efficiently, with robust contractor management in place.
• Ensure campus operations are effective, safe, and customer-focused, including caretaking, cleaning, security liaison and porterage.
• Oversee the delivery of commercial facilities hire, ensuring income targets are monitored and achieved.
• Maintain oversight of CAFM/helpdesk functions to ensure accurate data, performance monitoring and reporting.
• Support the delivery of lifecycle maintenance, refurbishment and sustainability projects as directed by the Director.
• Manage operational estates budgets, monitoring spend, achieving value for money and escalating variances.
• Monitor service level agreements and contracts, ensuring contractors deliver in line with agreed standards.
• Contribute to risk management, business continuity and emergency planning, ensuring operational readiness.
• Provide assurance reports to the Director on estates operations, highlighting risks, performance and improvements.
• Represent the Estates function in cross-college working groups and deputise for the Director where required.

If you want to find out more about the role please contact Jennifer Chaggar, Director of Estates and Environmental Sustainability.

What we can offer you

As the successful candidate, you will be offered a salary of between £51,950 to £60,224 per annum based upon a combination of the skills, knowledge and experience that you can bring to the role.

Our benefits

• Enhanced Pension contributions scheme with SYPA - 17.1%
• Annual leave - 42 Days (310.8 hours) + 8 Bank Holidays (59.2 hours) - this includes a discretionary Christmas closure period
• Health and wellbeing: Employee assistance programme through Bupa, Occupational Health through PAM, Free eye tests for VDU users, Free parking available at the majority of our campuses

Further information can be found on our Benefits and Career Development pages.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident employer and are committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee. Please review our Recruitment Guidelines for Disabled Candidates which provides further information on reasonable adjustments and how the Disability Confident scheme works in practice. If you require any reasonable adjustments or any support at any point throughout the process, please contact us.

Armed Forces Covenant

As part of our commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant, we are pledged to support the Armed Forces Community. Recognising the value personnel, veterans and military families contribute to our community and country.

Safeguarding

We are an employer who is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. Successful applicants will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to safer recruiting procedures. Further details on our safer recruiting procedures, including the employment of ex-offenders can be found here Safeguarding.

Next Steps

To apply: Click apply online and follow the links to complete the online application. For queries regarding the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team (CV's not accepted).

As a Leader in Diversity employer, we encourage applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.

Closing date: 4 January 2026

Please be aware if we have a high number of applications, we may decide to close the vacancy earlier.

Where there are internal applicants at risk, these will be considered in the first instance.