Head of Estates Operations

National Composites Centre; Bristol; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading innovation partner in the UK is looking for a Head of Estates Operations based in Bristol. The role requires overseeing all workplaces and site infrastructure, ensuring safety, efficiency, and excellent customer service. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years' experience in facilities management, particularly in R&D or high-risk environments, and must have full membership of RICS, IWFM or similar. This position offers a competitive salary with benefits including a pension contribution and medical insurance.

Benefits

12.5% employer pension contribution

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• 10+ years in a similar role within R&D and/or high-risk environment.
• In-depth knowledge of the principles, theory and practice of Estates and Facilities Management.
• Substantial experience of managing multiple sites, hard and soft services.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for all workplaces and site infrastructure.
• Create and implement a facilities strategy focused on customer service.
• Drive energy efficiency and user satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership

Customer Relationship Management

Project Management

Vendor Management

Budget Management

Risk Management

Education

Full membership of RICS, IWFM or similar

Tools

Estates/facilities software systems

Job description

Head of Estates Operations

NCC

Bristol based – 5 days on site most weeks with flexibility as needed

Salary: £65,659 to £85,937 per annum (experience dependent) plus 12.5% employer pension contribution and private medical insurance.

Security Clearance Required: You would be required to undergo a high level of government security clearance once in role and we’ll support getting you cleared.

Closing Date: 4th January 2026 – we reserve the right to close the advert early if needed.

NCC is the UK’s innovation partner! We’re expanding rapidly and supporting a range of interesting new projects in the Defence, Energy, Space, Marine and Technology sectors.

We’re a medium sized not for profit company, with a wonderful collaborative culture, and you would take responsibility for our established head office Estate plus other sites currently under development. This is a new position for the company due to strong natural growth. You would report into the Estates Director, taking line management responsibilities for some of the existing estates teams and deputising for them as needed.

Specifically, you’ll -

• Be accountable for all NCC workplaces and site infrastructure including day to day facilities operations, ensuring all sites meet agreed facilities standards/service levels and deliver a safe, secure and inspirational working environment for all.
• Create and implement a clear hard & soft facilities strategy focused on excellent customer service.
• Lead Hard Services, Soft Services, Workplace and Business Support Operations in-house and external teams across all NCC locations.
• Drive energy efficiency, strong space utilisation, and user satisfaction.
• Own emergency response and business continuity site plans.
• Promote a data analytics approach to facility management adopting and encouraging digital technology.
• Advocate cultural transformation
• Advocate the maintenance of Safe Work Environment
• Performance and Monitoring
• Leadership and Management
• Budget and Financials management
• Operations and Maintenance:Drive and improve maintenance standards and overall upkeep of buildings, infrastructure, and grounds.
• Vendor Management:Deliver a first-class estates/facilities supply chain ensuring compliance with procurement policy and continual improvement.
• Project Management:Adopt a project management approach to delivering new Estates/Facilities initiatives.
• Compliance:Ensure facilities meet all relevant legislative requirements and represent Estates operations in ISO accreditation processes.

What we’ll look for in your application:

We will prioritise applications with background in fields such as defence, engineering, R&D or manufacturing industries.

• Full membership of RICS, IWFM or similar.
• 10+ years in a similar role within and R&D and/or high-risk environment.
• Willingness and ability to apply for a high level of government security clearance.
• In-depth knowledge of the principles, theory and practice of Estates and Facilities Management
• Extensive and up to date knowledge on key Estates topics (CDM, Building Regulations, Contractor Control, PUWER, LOLER, Electrical Safety, Security etc) Operational planning, management, and business process skills.
• In-depth knowledge of estates/facilities software systems.
• Substantial experience of managing multiple sites, hard and soft services, and business services.
• Substantial experience of contractor and supplier management
• Recent experience of undertaking roles in a proactive and customer focussed manner
• Proven management experience of multi-functional teams
• Strong customer relationship management skills

Not sure if you are the right fit and want to check with someone? Please feel free to reach out to our recruitment team either via the contact page on our career site or directly to Jon Barratt via linked in.

Who are the NCC?

We bridge the gap between academia and industry, helping companies of all sizes to capitalise on cutting-edge innovations to deliver more. We do this at every stage of their journey and across the entire product lifecycle, from the earliest concept to end-of-life.

Part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and the University of Bristol, we’ve evolved from our origins as the National Centre of Excellence in composite technology. We provide a gateway to world‑class expertise, advanced facilities, and industrial collaboration. A not-for‑profit organisation, we leverage these assets to complement our customers’ capabilities, helping them to develop their people, grow, compete, and succeed through technology and product leadership. As well as working with industrial partners, we help create the conditions that enable UK innovators and industry to thrive. This includes providing national and local decision‑makers with insight and evidence to inform strategy, policy, and investment decisions.