Head of Estates Management and Sustainability

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 99,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Greater London seeks an Estates and Sustainability Leader to oversee the Trust's facilities and estates functions. The role requires strategic leadership to ensure operational excellence and compliance while championing sustainability initiatives. Candidates must have a Master's degree, relevant corporate membership, and substantial experience managing estates within large organizations, preferably within healthcare. This permanent position offers a competitive salary and full-time working pattern.

Benefits

Extensive benefits package

Professional learning opportunities

Emphasis on work-life balance

Qualifications

• Must have substantial experience in estates management within a large organization.
• Experience in leading sustainability initiatives required.
• Must possess formal health and safety training.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of estates and sustainability strategies.
• Champion carbon reduction and environmental best practices.
• Oversee delivery of estates services and compliance.

Skills

Strategic vision

Financial planning

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master's degree in estates management

Corporate membership of a relevant professional body

Formal health and safety training

Tools

Budget management systems

Job description

Job summary

This is a key role that will report to the Director of Resource, Assets and Sustainability, and will lead the Trust's estates and sustainability functions, overseeing the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of our diverse estates. This role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight, ensuring our buildings, facilities, and infrastructure are fit for purpose today while planning for the needs of the future.

We are seeking a highly experienced estates and facilities leader who can combine strategic vision with operational excellence. You will be:

• Educated to Master's level (or with substantial equivalent experience) in estates, facilities, or engineering.
• A corporate member of a relevant professional body (RICS, CIBSE, IWFM), with formal health and safety training (NEBOSH or equivalent).
• Experienced at senior level within a large, complex organisation (ideally NHS or healthcare), with a proven record of estates management, compliance, and sustainability leadership.
• Skilled in financial planning, contract management, and achieving efficiencies.
• A confident communicator and inclusive leader, able to influence at Board level while engaging staff at every level.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the development and delivery of estates, facilities, and sustainability strategies aligned to the Trust's clinical and operational priorities.
• Champion sustainability, driving carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and environmental best practice across all Trust sites.
• Provide expert leadership on estates compliance, health and safety, and business continuity.
• Oversee the delivery of estates services including maintenance, compliance, fire safety, security, and infrastructure modernisation.
• Manage large budgets, contracts, and capital projects, ensuring efficiency and value for money.
• Lead and inspire a diverse workforce, embedding a culture of inclusion, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

About us

At South London and Maudsley, we are committed to fostering an environment where leadership, innovation, and collaboration are encouraged. We value the development of our staff and offer access to a range of professional learning opportunities. We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close‑knit team at South London and Maudsley. It's important to us that you are valued and appreciated and that is why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer.

For a full list of our benefits please visit https://www.slam.nhs.uk/media/421262/Working%20at%20SLaM.pdf

Job details

Date posted: 15 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8d

Salary: £99,808 to £113,803 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 334‑NCL‑7494339‑MU

Job location: Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, Camberwell, SE5 8AZ

Responsibilities

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the Trust's Estates Management and Sustainability services, ensuring safe, compliant, and high‑performing estates that support clinical and operational excellence.

The post holder will provide expert guidance on estates, infrastructure, health and safety, including maintenance, compliance, and sustainability initiatives. They will develop long‑term strategies to enhance service delivery, improve efficiency, and support business continuity planning across all Trust sites. The role also includes leading modernisation efforts, ensuring the latest technologies are embedded within estates management, and working closely with stakeholders to drive improvements in sustainability, compliance, and workforce development.

Person Specification

Qualifications – Essential

• High level Building/Engineering Qualification and/or Substantial Equivalent Experience.
• Master's degree or equivalent experience in estates, facilities management, or a related engineering discipline.
• Corporate membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., RICS, CIBSE, IWFM).
• Formal health and safety training (NEBOSH or equivalent).
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications – Desirable

• Project management qualification (e.g., Prince2).
• Additional qualifications in fire, asbestos, or compliance management.
• Financial or business management qualification.
• Degree in mechanical/electrical engineering.

Experience – Essential

• Significant senior‑level experience in estates management within a large, complex organisation (preferably NHS or healthcare).
• Proven track record in service improvement and strategic planning.
• Experience managing large budgets and achieving financial efficiencies.
• Experience leading business continuity planning and compliance auditing.
• Experience leading large teams and implementing workforce transformation initiatives.

Experience – Desirable

• Experience in mental health estate management.
• Experience leading infrastructure modernisation for estates.
• Experience in sustainability and carbon management strategies.
• Experience with NHS frameworks and performance benchmarking.

Skills & Knowledge – Essential

• Ability to interpret and apply complex legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Capable of managing a large budget, balancing long‑term financial oversight with daily cost‑control measures.
• Experience with compliance auditing, risk management, and the implementation of remedial actions.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to engage and motivate a diverse team across various specialities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Advanced keyboard skills.

Skills & Knowledge – Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS‑specific procurement and contracting processes.
• Advanced knowledge of environmental sustainability practices.

Other Attributes – Essential

• A confident and professional leader who builds strong relationships at all levels, fosters teamwork, encourages interdepartmental collaboration, and aligns staff with organisational priorities.
• An approachable and supportive leader who remains calm and decisive under pressure, fostering a welcoming and non‑judgemental environment.
• Flexible, pragmatic and able to work under pressure.

Other Attributes – Desirable

• Ability to carry out the physical requirements of the post, with any reasonable adjustment being made under the DDA.

Corporate Information

Employer Name: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, Camberwell, SE5 8AZ

Employer’s website: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/

Legal and Sponsorship

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-immigration/visas-and-immigration.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see https://www.nhs.uk/careers.

• Ensure the role is compliant with EEO statements.