Head of Estates

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider in London is seeking a Head of Estates to oversee the management and compliance of its facilities. The role involves leading strategic planning, ensuring high standards of safety and quality, and managing a team. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in estates management and a strong grasp of health and safety regulations. This position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact in a supportive healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading an Estates team with responsibility for building management.
• Strong knowledge of Health and Safety legislation across a multi-site organisation.
• Experience developing and implementing an Estates strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans for Estates.
• Oversee compliance and maintenance of buildings and grounds.
• Collaborate with managers to align services with organisational strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Problem Solving

Communication

Financial Management

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Overview

The Head of Estates plays a vital role in ensuring that our Hospice buildings, shops, vehicles and wider estate provide safe, welcoming and well-maintained environments where outstanding care and support can flourish. The post holder will lead the development and delivery of the Hospice Estates Strategy across the Bostall Hill site, our retail network and other Hospice properties, overseeing planned maintenance, repairs and estates procurement to ensure reliability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness while supporting patient care.

They will ensure every site is fit for purpose, legally compliant and cared for to a high standard, and will take day-to-day responsibility for fire safety, security and health and safety procedures across the estate.

Key Responsibilities

• Estates Leadership: Develop and implement strategic plans for Estates and Site Services, including the Estates Strategy, long-term maintenance plan and service improvements. Lead capital building projects, ensuring delivery on time and within budget. Ensure all sites provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers. Promote and deliver environmental improvements through the estate, leading the organisation’s Green Plan to reduce carbon impact and encourage sustainable practices.
• Buildings and Site Services: Oversee buildings and grounds maintenance, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Manage the vehicle fleet, site security and estates-related contracts. Support the statutory duty holder by undertaking responsibilities of the responsible person for regulations such as legionella, fire safety and asbestos. Lead competitive tendering for estates and site services, ensuring value for money and high standards. Manage expenditure within agreed budgets, maintaining efficiency and accountability.
• Retail Estate Oversight: Maintain compliance for retail shops, oversee planned and reactive maintenance, liaise with contractors, landlords and shop managers. Lead or support property-related projects such as refurbishments, shop fit-outs or sustainability initiatives. Advise on lease terms and dilapidations and act as estates contact for landlords, agents and contractors in collaboration with the Head of Retail.
• Working with Others: Collaborate with managers and teams across the Hospice to align estates and site services with organisational strategy. Work with the Director of Finance & Resources on annual budgeting for Estates, including capital projects. Contribute to major incident planning and represent the Hospice at relevant local estates forums.
• Continuous Improvement: Seek feedback from patients, families, staff and volunteers to improve standards and experiences. Learn from complaints, compliments, risk assessments and incident reviews, embedding improvements into practice.
• People Leadership: Line manage Estates staff and volunteers, supporting wellbeing, performance and professional development. Provide coaching, mentoring and training, including fire warden training and estates-related learning. Build a strong team spirit through regular communication and supportive leadership.
• Corporate Leadership: Play an active role in the Hospice Leadership Team, contributing to governance and organisational development. Ensure Estates and Site Services policies and procedures are up to date and approved through governance channels. Lead the organisation’s response to estates-related emergencies across Hospice buildings and grounds (including out of hours), coordinating support in line with the Business Continuity Policy.
• Professional Development: Maintain and develop professional knowledge and expertise, engaging in CPD, reflection and training opportunities.

Person Specification

Experience (Essential)

• Proven experience leading an Estates team of comparable size and scope, with responsibility for building management and on-site health and safety.
• Experience working within a large, complex organisation, navigating statutory frameworks and multiple stakeholder needs.
• Experience developing and implementing an Estates strategy and long-term infrastructure plans; successful delivery of capital and building projects.
• Experience in staff leadership, including appraisals, coaching and supporting staff development.
• Strong knowledge of Health and Safety legislation across a multi-site organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage productive relationships with external contractors and service providers, ensuring high standards and value for money.
• Experience of financial management, including budget planning, monitoring and control.
• Experience of working within a healthcare environment, understanding the challenges and sensitivities involved.

Desirable

• Experience of leading estates services in a healthcare setting or similarly regulated environment.

Skills and Abilities (Essential)

• Strategic and innovative thinker, able to develop creative solutions while ensuring continuity of services.
• Confident and supportive people leader who can motivate, hold to account and develop others.
• Skilled in resolving workplace conflict in a fair and constructive way.
• Collaborative with a strong solution-focused approach.
• High levels of IT competence and ability to use a range of software packages.
• Ability to learn from feedback and drive positive change and continuous improvement.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise, balance competing demands and manage multiple projects.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships at all levels.

Qualifications (Essential)

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development.
• Full, clean driving licence.

Desirable

• BIFM Level 6 or NEBOSH Diploma.

Employer details

Employer name: Community Hospice

Address: Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, 185 Bostall Hill, London, SE2 0GB

Employer's website: https://communityhospice.org.uk/