Managing Director of Strategic Estates (Interim)

House of Commons; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK government body is seeking a Managing Director of Strategic Estates to lead its complex property portfolio in London. This influential role requires a strategic leader to manage approximately 180 live projects while ensuring compliance with heritage stewardship and modernisation. The ideal candidate will have a proven record in high-security environments, demonstrate financial acumen, and excel at stakeholder management, all while navigating public scrutiny. Join us to drive impactful estates change for the nation.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing complex estates or portfolio programmes.
• Experience in delivering projects in high-security or high-complexity environments.
• Ability to coach senior colleagues and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for and oversee multi-disciplinary teams on live projects.
• Champion health and safety and financial management.
• Communicate complex choices clearly to stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial negotiation

Risk management

Financial management

Decision-making

Job description

We’re seeking a decisive, values-led strategic leader to steward one of the UK’s most complex and high-profile property portfolios. As Managing Director of Strategic Estates, you will set direction, galvanise multi-disciplinary teams and maintain delivery momentum across c.180 live projects (annual spend £160m; portfolio value £4bn) on a UNESCO World Heritage site at the very heart of UK democracy. This role acts on behalf of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, dealing with all property related capital investment matters and will report to the Director General of the House of Commons. The ideal candidate will provide visible leadership through organisational change, translating a refreshed operating model into clear priorities, disciplined delivery and a culture that is safe, collaborative and performance-driven.

The successful candidate will have a strategic focus on balancing heritage stewardship with modernisation: shaping a coherent investment pipeline, setting exacting standards for business cases and portfolio analytics and turning data into decisions that improve time, cost and quality. You will champion health and safety and robust financial management, ensure contracts drive value for money and embed risk and resilience thinking across programme and portfolio levels. Above all, you will excel at stakeholder orchestration, earning trust with governance boards of both Houses, Members and senior officials and partnering confidently with external bodies including Westminster Council and Historic England. You’ll communicate complex choices with clarity, guide leaders through uncertainty and uphold the House Service values of inclusivity, courage, trust and collaboration.

We are looking for a professional with a track record of delivering major estates or portfolio programmes at pace in high-security or high-complexity environments, with the gravitas to coach senior colleagues and suppliers, the commercial acumen to negotiate major contracts, and the judgement to navigate delivery under intense public and media scrutiny. In return, you’ll shape a once-in-a-generation estates mission with national impact.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the process. Ready to lead with purpose where heritage, safety and innovation meet – then we want to hear from you!

The House of Commons have partnered with Archer Mac on this important role. Please do reach out toStephanie Robinson ([e-mail] or 07513 221028)for an informative conversation.

C1MD