At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure estates activities are compliant and safe through independent audits and assurance frameworks.
- Company: Join a leading organisation focused on quality and compliance in estates management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with executive teams and improve audit outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing safety and compliance in estates operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in estates compliance and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
The Estates Quality Assurance Manager provides independent, objective assurance that all estates-related activities are compliant, safe, effective, and aligned with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
Operating independently from Facilities Management and project delivery teams, the role is responsible for establishing and delivering a robust estates assurance framework, leading independent audits, reviewing governance, monitoring health & safety and statutory compliance, and ensuring ongoing regulatory readiness. The role plays a critical part in improving audit outcomes, strengthening regulatory confidence, and providing clear assurance to Executive leadership and governance forums.
Key Responsibilities
- Quality, Assurance & Compliance
- Provide independent assurance over estates activities, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and internal standards.
- Act as the second line of defence for estates compliance, maintaining objectivity and independence from operational delivery.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Estates Quality Assurance Framework.
- Compliance Auditing
- Plan and deliver independent estates compliance audits, including statutory compliance, safety systems, contractor management, and governance controls.
- Conduct risk-based audits across the estate, identifying non-conformances, systemic weaknesses, and areas of best practice.
- Track audit actions to completion and verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
- Statutory Assurance
- Provide assurance that statutory inspections, testing, and maintenance obligations are fully met and appropriately evidenced.
- Review statutory compliance documentation, certifications, and records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and audit readiness.
- Escalate material risks or non-compliance to Executive and Governance Groups with clear recommendations.
- Document Review
- Undertake independent document quality reviews for estates activities and contractor works.
- Assess documentation for suitability, proportionality, risk control effectiveness, and alignment with legislation and best practice.
- Identify trends, gaps, and recurring risks to inform improvement plans and contractor performance discussions.
- Audit & Regulatory Support
- Lead preparation for internal, external, and regulatory audits related to estates and facilities compliance.
- Support regulatory inspections by providing assurance evidence, audit outputs, and compliance dashboards.
- Act as a key estate’s assurance contact for regulators, auditors, and internal governance bodies.
- Performance Assurance & Reporting
- Develop and maintain compliance assurance reports for Executive and Board-level audiences.
- Provide clear, concise insight into compliance status, emerging risks, and assurance outcomes.
- Use data and trends to drive continuous improvement and risk mitigation.
- Regulatory Readiness
- Conduct regulatory readiness assessments to test organisational preparedness for inspection or audit.
- Identify gaps against regulatory expectations and support the development of targeted improvement plans.
- Promote a culture of proactive compliance and assurance across estates functions.
Key Outcomes & Measures of Success
- Improved internal and external audit outcomes
- Increased confidence from regulators, auditors, and governance bodies
- Clear, reliable estates compliance dashboards and assurance reporting
- Reduction in repeat audit findings and high-risk non-compliances
- Demonstrable independence and objectivity in assurance activity
Key Relationships
- Executive Team and Governance Groups
- Estates, Facilities Management, and Capital Projects teams (independent oversight)
- Health & Safety, Risk, and Compliance functions
- External auditors, regulators, and assurance partners
- Contractors and suppliers (assurance and audit interface only)
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Essential
- Proven experience in estates developments, facilities, or property compliance and assurance
- Strong knowledge of statutory compliance within built environments
- Experience delivering independent audits and assurance activities
- Ability to interpret legislation, standards, and regulatory frameworks
- Excellent analytical, reporting, and stakeholder-management skills
- Confidence presenting assurance findings at Executive or Board level
- Desirable
- Professional qualification in estates, facilities, health & safety, or auditing
- Experience working within regulated environments
- Knowledge of assurance frameworks and risk-based auditing
Estates Quality Assurance Manager in Birmingham employer: Compass Fostering
As an Estates Quality Assurance Manager, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that prioritises compliance, safety, and continuous improvement. Our company fosters a culture of integrity and independence, offering robust professional development opportunities and a supportive team atmosphere. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estates Quality Assurance Manager in Birmingham
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Compass Fostering looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Estates Quality Assurance Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Compass Fostering. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Fostering
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Compass Fostering’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
