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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the conservation of historic sites and manage diverse teams globally.
- Company: Join the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, honouring global heritage.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, pension scheme, and life assurance.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on heritage while leading passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction or heritage management and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for global travel.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 100800 £ per year.
Location: Maidenhead or European office, with a minimum of 2 days per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Circa Starting from £72k per annum, depending on experience
Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday
Who we are
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is an organisation dedicated to honouring and caring for the graves and memorials of the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two World Wars. While much of our work happens across our 23,000 global locations, our Head Office teams play an equally vital role—supporting, enabling and safeguarding the heritage we protect every day. Joining us means contributing to a mission of lasting global significance.
What you’ll be doing
As our Director of Estates, you will be the champion of CWGC’s global estate—leading our expert teams and shaping the long‑term conservation and stewardship of some of the world’s most important historic sites. You will lead the Estates Centre of Expertise, ensuring CWGC’s standards, policies and investment priorities are delivered consistently across our international operations. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, you will balance global strategy with regional needs, driving improved performance, heritage protection and value for money. In this influential role, you will lead Works, Sustainability, Agency Services, Transport and Facilities; deliver the global structural works programme; oversee condition audits and long‑term conservation strategies; support Area Directors with planning and resource prioritisation.
We are seeking a strong, enthusiastic and collaborative leader who is passionate about heritage, confident operating internationally, and committed to strengthening CWGC’s mission. In this role, you will work closely with colleagues around the world to ensure our historic estate is cared for to the highest standards, contributing to an organisation dedicated to preserving memory, dignity and global heritage.
What you need to have
- A strong background in construction, engineering, historic buildings, architecture or surveying
- Significant senior leadership experience in Estates, built heritage, or a related technical field
- Strategic and budgetary management capability
- Excellent communication and influencing skills across diverse cultures
- The ability to manage complexity, ambiguity and remote technical information
- Strong decision-making, integrity and emotional intelligence
- Demonstrable experience leading multi‑disciplinary or specialist teams
- Financial literacy and confidence interpreting data and risk
- Alignment with CWGC’s CARE Values
- willingness to travel globally, sometimes at short notice
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave, rising with service up to 30 days
- Paid public holidays and paid office closure between Christmas and New Year
- An additional paid week off prior to Christmas
- Flexible working arrangements
- Generous pension scheme with CWGC contributing up to 10%
- Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work scheme (and Electric Vehicle Scheme for eligible grades)
How to Apply
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button to submit your application. We will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis, and the vacancy will close once an appointment has been made. We believe that a diverse environment strengthens our organisation and enriches our mission. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. Join our inclusive workplace, where every individual is valued.
Director of Estates in Maidenhead employer: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Contact Detail:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Estates in Maidenhead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Director of Estates role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CWGC’s mission and values. Show us that you’re not just a fit for the role but also passionate about preserving heritage. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and how you’ve successfully managed complex projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at CWGC and contributing to our important mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Estates in Maidenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Director of Estates role. Highlight your background in construction, engineering, or heritage management to show us you’re the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for heritage and how your leadership experience can contribute to CWGC’s mission. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your senior leadership experience! Provide examples of how you've led teams and managed complex projects in the past. This will help us understand your approach to driving performance and collaboration.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to hit that ‘Apply Now’ button on our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get the ball rolling. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Commonwealth War Graves Commission
✨Know Your Heritage
Before the interview, dive deep into the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's mission and values. Understand their commitment to preserving history and how your background in construction or heritage aligns with their goals. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their mission.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your past leadership roles, especially in managing multi-disciplinary teams. Highlight situations where you balanced strategic objectives with regional needs, as this is crucial for the Director of Estates role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Communicate Effectively
Given the diverse cultures you'll be working with, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced stakeholders in previous roles and how you can apply those skills at CWGC. Good communication can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Ready for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your ability to manage complexity and ambiguity. Think of examples where you've navigated challenging situations, particularly in heritage conservation or budget management. Demonstrating your decision-making process will showcase your integrity and emotional intelligence, which are key for this role.