Head of Facilities and Estates in Stratford-upon-Avon

Location: Ardencote Manor, Warwickshire

About Us

Barons Eden is a collection of iconic spa and hotel destinations where exceptional service and luxurious experiences come to life. Ardencote Manor is a luxury countryside resort set in the heart of Warwickshire, renowned for its exceptional hospitality, award‐winning spa facilities, fine dining, and outstanding guest experiences. Currently closed as part of an exciting full‐site refurbishment, Ardencote Manor is investing in a significant transformation of its facilities, creating a fresh new chapter for both guests and employees alike.

About the Role

As Head of Facilities and Estates, you will play a vital role in planning, executing, and overseeing hotel renovations, upgrades, and maintenance projects, ensuring they are completed to the highest standard, on time, and within budget. You will lead all engineering operations across our hotel and spa, ensuring the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems are fully compliant, efficient, and reliable. This role carries responsibility for the overall maintenance and technical integrity of the property's estate, grounds, and infrastructure, directly supporting an exceptional experience for both guests and staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintenance and Operations
  • Overseeing the day‐to‐day maintenance and repair work of hotel and spa facilities, including guest rooms, spa areas, restaurants, public spaces, back‐of‐house areas, grounds, and biomass.
  • Conducting regular inspections of the hotel and spa's facilities and grounds to identify potential areas for improvement or necessary repairs.
  • Evaluating the potential risks and challenges associated with each project, proactively identifying solutions to mitigate issues before they arise.
  • Collaborating with the Spa Operations Team to support the operation and maintenance of specialised spa equipment, ensuring all facilities consistently meet safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
  • Establishing clear performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) with contractors, ensuring that project work is completed to specification, fully compliant to regulations and RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement).
  • Identifying and implementing operational efficiencies within the department to enhance performance, reduce costs, and support overall service excellence.
• Team Management
  • Leading, managing, and developing the maintenance and grounds team to ensure the safe and effective operation of all hotel and spa systems.
  • Ensuring the maintenance and grounds team has the necessary skills, training, and resources to perform their duties effectively.
  • Acting as the primary point of contact for all renovation and construction‐related inquiries.
  • Assessing training needs within the team and implementing appropriate development initiatives.
  • Fostering a supportive and inclusive team culture by actively promoting mental health awareness.
  • Demonstrating a commitment to wellbeing by modelling a healthy work‐life balance.
• Safety and Security
  • Ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, building regulations, environmental regulations, and industry best practices.
  • Participating in crisis management and emergency procedures to handle any engineering‐related issues efficiently.
  • Prioritising safety and security in all aspects of the hotel and spa's operations.
  • Implementing and maintaining safety protocols and procedures.
• Planning and Scheduling
  • Managing and scheduling preventive maintenance programs to reduce downtime and increase the longevity of hotel and spa assets.
  • Developing and managing an annual maintenance budget, ensuring cost‐effective solutions for repairs and upgrades.
  • Implementing energy‐saving initiatives and sustainability practices to reduce the hotel and spa's environmental footprint.
• Quality Control and Asset Protection
  • Maintaining oversight of the project's timeline, ensuring that all phases are completed on schedule.
  • Enforcing strict quality control measures, inspecting the work being completed to ensure it meets the hotel and spa's high standards.
  • Responding promptly to management requests related to maintenance or engineering issues.
  • Maintaining relationships with contractors, suppliers, and service providers.

Personal Specification

• Have proven experience in facilities, engineering, or estate management, ideally within the hospitality or luxury property sector.
• Have excellent technical knowledge of building systems (M.E.P., HVAC, biomass, water treatment).
• Be a hands‐on leader with excellent planning, communication, and problem‐solving skills.
• Have a track record of managing refurbishment projects, budgets, and contractor relationships.
• Have a passion for high standards, safety, sustainability, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Be committed to team development, wellbeing, and inclusive leadership.

Additional Information

• Full‐time – 45 hours per week
• Salary: £55,000 – £60,000
• Full flexibility required, as shifts will adapt based on team and business needs
• Benefits include competitive salary, complimentary spa day on work anniversaries, access to the Employee Assistance Program, discounts on overnight stays and spa days, pension scheme, free parking, and a fun, supportive work environment.