The Role
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Head of Estates & Operations to oversee the estates, facilities and operational management of a growing multi-site education portfolio. This is an excellent opportunity for an established Estates or Facilities Management professional to take a senior leadership position, overseeing property maintenance, statutory compliance, health & safety, procurement and operational service delivery across multiple school sites. The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with a hands‑on approach, working closely with site management teams to maintain safe, compliant and well‑maintained educational environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop estates, facilities and site management teams across multiple locations.
- Oversee the delivery of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance, building repairs and grounds maintenance.
- Ensure full statutory compliance across all sites, including fire safety, asbestos, water hygiene, gas and electrical safety.
- Develop and implement estates management strategies, maintenance programmes and operational improvement plans.
- Conduct regular site inspections, compliance audits and risk assessments, ensuring corrective actions are completed.
- Manage external contractors, suppliers and service providers, monitoring performance against agreed standards and KPIs.
- Oversee procurement, supplier negotiations and contract renewals across cleaning, grounds maintenance, catering, waste, energy and compliance services.
- Support the delivery of capital projects, refurbishment programmes and lifecycle maintenance planning.
- Manage operational budgets, identifying opportunities for cost savings and improved service efficiency.
- Drive sustainability initiatives, energy efficiency improvements and environmental best practices.
- Establish consistent operational procedures, reporting systems and service standards across all locations.
- Provide senior leadership with regular updates on estates performance, compliance, financial management and operational risks.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in a senior Estates Management, Facilities Management or Operations Management position.
- Strong background managing estates and facilities across a multi-site portfolio.
- Demonstrable experience leading and developing operational teams, including site managers and maintenance personnel.
- Excellent knowledge of statutory compliance, health & safety legislation, COSHH, fire safety, asbestos and water hygiene requirements.
- Experience developing and managing PPM programmes, asset registers and building maintenance schedules.
- Strong commercial awareness, including budget management, procurement, supplier negotiations and contractor management.
- Experience conducting compliance audits, managing risk and implementing operational improvements.
- Understanding of education estates requirements
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and organisational skills.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- NEBOSH General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely.
- Professional qualification in Facilities Management (IWFM) or Estates Management.
- Previous experience working within education, multi-academy trusts or the public sector.
- Experience using compliance management systems
- Knowledge of sustainability initiatives, decarbonisation and energy management.
- Experience supporting estates expansion, site mobilisation or integration of additional properties.
The Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to take responsibility for a diverse education estates portfolio, with significant autonomy to shape operational standards, improve compliance and develop a high-performing facilities management function. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering long-term estates strategies while ensuring the day-to-day operation of each site remains safe, efficient and well-managed.
Head of Estates in Northampton employer: Consult
At Consult, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. Our North America team is dedicated to professional growth, offering robust training and development opportunities while working in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Join us to be part of a collaborative team that values your contributions and supports your career aspirations in the exciting MedTech sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates in Northampton
✨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 Consult.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Consult? 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 Consult's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
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 Head of Estates role at Consult, 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 Consult
✨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 Consult 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 Consult. 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 Consult.
