Head of Estates & Assets

Folkestone and Hythe District Council; Folkestone; On-site; GBP 67,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid agile working

Corporate memberships

Discount schemes

Salary sacrifice schemes

Professional membership fees reimb.

Up to 31 days holiday

LGPS access

Job summary

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is seeking a strategic Head of Estates & Assets to lead Estates, Assets, Engineering, Buildings and Maintenance. You will develop strategies, plans and programmes aligning with corporate priorities and maximizing asset value in a dynamic public sector environment.

The role requires senior-level experience in estates and asset management, with strong commercial judgement, stakeholder influence and effective communication within politically sensitive settings.

Qualifications

• Significant senior level experience in estates, property or asset management within a public sector setting.
• Strong understanding of corporate real estate management and statutory responsibilities.
• Excellent analytical, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide functional and operational leadership across estates, assets, engineering, buildings and maintenance.
• Develop and deliver strategies, plans and programmes to support corporate priorities and maximise value.
• Identify opportunities to maximise revenue and deliver best value while ensuring efficient asset management.

Skills

Senior leadership

Estates management

Public sector experience

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication

Commercial awareness

Interpersonal influence

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent

Professional estate/property qualification (desirable)

Tools

Financial planning tools

Job description

Employer: Folkestone & Hythe District Council

Salary: £66,873 to £73,623 (Grade J) plus £3,900 car allowance

Location: Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2QY

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week.

DBS Check: Yes

Closing Date: 11/11/2026 at 23:59

Reference: H&O/26/347360

We are seeking a strategic, commercially minded Head of Estates & Assets to lead our Estates, Assets, Engineering, Buildings and Maintenance functions, and ensure our diverse portfolio delivers lasting value for our communities.

Ranked in the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in the UK, and in Lonely Planet as one of the best places to visit in the world, Folkestone & Hythe is a dynamic and innovative place to live, work and visit.

Based in our offices in the heart of Folkestone, you’ll have easy access to transport links including HS1, Folkestone’s regenerated town centre, the seafront and old town creative quarter, and our extraordinary and vibrant landscapes and communities.

Recognised by Best Companies as an outstanding organisation to work for, we have a real focus on supporting career development, wellbeing and family friendly initiatives, and a hybrid agile working culture that enables flexible and remote/home working.

You can also expect an excellent benefits package that includes corporate memberships, discount and salary sacrifice schemes, reimbursement of professional membership fees, up to 31 days holiday and Christmas closure, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and much, much more.

You will provide functional and operational leadership across the service areas, developing and delivering strategies, plans and programmes that support the delivery of corporate priorities, identify opportunities to maximise revenue and deliver best value, and ensure efficient and effective management of the council’s operational, commercial and open space assets.

You will bring significant senior level experience in estates, property or asset management within a public sector setting, together with a strong understanding of corporate real estate management and related statutory responsibilities. You will need to have excellent analytical, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, sound commercial judgement, and the ability to confidently manage diverse and complex stakeholder relationships in politically sensitive environments.

Further information about the role can be found on the accompanying job description.

For an informal discussion, please contact Samuel Aligbe, [e-mail], Chief Officer - Corporate Estates & Development.

Closing date: 11th November 23.59

Further information on this vacancy

• Head of Estates & Assets JDPS