Head of Estates

Horniman Museum and Gardens; City Of London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A cultural heritage organization is seeking a Head of Estates to lead and manage all buildings and infrastructure services, ensuring an excellent visitor experience. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in managing public buildings and delivering infrastructure projects. This position is crucial for supporting public programmes and enhancing community engagement.

Qualifications

• Significant professional experience in managing infrastructure for a heritage or public building.
• Experience in delivering building repair and refurbishment projects.
• Strong ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage building and infrastructure services.
• Support the Director in delivering the Nature + Love project.

Skills

Building and infrastructure management

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant professional qualification in estates management, construction, surveying or health and safety

Job description

About the Horniman Museum and Gardens

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is a unique attraction in south east London where world cultures and the natural world are brought together for everyone to enjoy. The Museum holds internationally important collections of anthropology and musical instruments, as well as a popular natural history gallery and Aquarium. The 16 acres of beautiful Gardens feature a tropical Butterfly House and offer stunning views across London.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Head of Estates, who will contribute to the strategic planning and policy development of the Horniman’s Estate and infrastructure. You will lead, develop and manage all buildings and infrastructure services, playing a key role in the provision of an excellent visitor experience across our estate and ensuring that the Estates team support our public programmes and income generation initiatives 7 days a week. You will support the Director Collections Care and Estates in the successful delivery of the Nature + Love project throughout 2026‑2027.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and manage all buildings and infrastructure services, playing a key role in the provision of an excellent visitor experience across the estate and ensuring that the Estates team supports our public programmes and income generation initiatives seven days a week.
• Support the Director Collections Care and Estates in the successful delivery of the Nature + Love project throughout 2026‑2027.

Qualifications

• Significant professional and practical experience in the field of buildings, security and infrastructure management for a heritage or visitor attraction or other public building, ideally with a relevant professional qualification in estates management, construction, surveying or health and safety.
• Managed and delivered successful building and infrastructure repair and refurbishment projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective professional relationships; strong team player with enthusiasm and energy to work proactively and collaboratively with a diverse range of staff, consultants and contractors to deliver Horniman objectives.

Recruitment Process

• The closing date for completed applications is 10 am on 1st December 2025.
• Interviews will be held on 15th or 17th December 2025.

Embracing Diversity

The Horniman is an equal opportunities employer and we value and celebrate diversity. We want to better represent the communities in which we work but recognise that there is still much work to do in this area. We welcome and encourage all applicants and particularly encourage you to apply if you are from a community that is often disadvantaged by society or of ethnically diverse background.