At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic estate management and property development for a diverse portfolio.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation focused on community regeneration and economic development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days annual leave, a pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and access to wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while advancing your career in a senior leadership role.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in estates or property services and a degree-level qualification.
An excellent opportunity for a senior property and estates leader to shape a major land and property portfolio, supporting service delivery, regeneration, economic development and long-term value for communities.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a strategic and ambitious Head of Estates to join a senior management team on a fixed-term contract, pending restructure. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Property, the Head of Estates will lead the Estate Management and Property Commissioning and Development functions, providing strategic direction and operational leadership across a diverse, high-value property portfolio. This visible senior leadership role will enable the Head of Estates to ensure land and buildings are fit for purpose, cost-effective and future-focused, while supporting corporate priorities, financial sustainability, service transformation and regeneration. The post is designated as politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
DUTIES
- Estate Strategy Leadership: Lead the development, implementation and review of asset management strategies, corporate property policies and estate plans.
- Portfolio Management: Ensure the land and buildings portfolio supports current and future service delivery in the most effective and efficient way.
- Estates Oversight: Oversee estate management activity including valuation, acquisition, disposal, development and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Investment and Rationalisation: Identify and deliver opportunities for investment, portfolio optimisation, income generation, flexible working and regeneration.
- Strategic Projects: Sponsor, oversee and lead property projects, change programmes and transformation activity with organisation-wide impact.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with senior leaders, Members, public bodies, external partners and providers to deliver shared asset strategies and joint initiatives.
- Financial and Contract Leadership: Manage substantial budgets, resources and priorities, including oversight of the public finance initiative team and contract exit process.
- Carbon Reduction: Provide strategic advice on reducing carbon emissions and generating income from the corporate estate in line with climate change objectives.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
- Significant senior-level experience within estates, property services or asset management in a large or complex organisation.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Corporate membership of a relevant professional body such as RICS, CIOB or RIBA.
- Proven experience of leading multi-disciplinary property teams and senior property professionals.
- Strong experience providing strategic corporate advice on property and estates matters to senior leaders and elected Members.
- Experience of leading service improvement, change, transformation and cross-organisational collaboration.
- Proven ability to manage substantial budgets, resources, competing priorities and performance frameworks.
- Strong financial management, strategic planning, evaluation, influencing and negotiation skills.
- In-depth knowledge of property legislation, regulations and best practice relating to strategic estate and asset development.
- Understanding of national and local government developments, policy, priorities and emerging trends.
- Experience of delivering capital development projects.
- Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, partners and suppliers.
- Evidence of continuing professional, management and leadership development.
BENEFITS
- 34 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Flexi-time scheme for many of our roles.
- Comprehensive wellbeing support, including occupational health, counselling and physiotherapy services.
- Learning and development opportunities, including professional qualifications and career progression.
- Access to rewards, offering discounts across travel, tech, groceries and more.
- Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV to our Recruitment Team who will review your details. CVs of Job Applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our Client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.
Assistant Director for Estate Strategy and Development / Head of Estat employer: AWD Online
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director for Estate Strategy and Development / Head of Estat
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like AWD Online.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like AWD Online? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit AWD Online's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director for Estate Strategy and Development / Head of Estat
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Assistant Director for Estate Strategy and Development / Head of Estat role at AWD Online, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at AWD Online
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where AWD Online operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to AWD Online. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at AWD Online.
