At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic direction for estates, ensuring effective management and operational improvement.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Trust dedicated to the wellbeing and education of young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on educational facilities and drive sustainability initiatives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in estates management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 62094 - 66284 £ per year.
Salary: Extended Leadership Range PO17 (£62,094 to £66,284 per annum)
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full time
Region: Rotherham
Job category/type: Education - Non-Teaching
Date posted: 20/05/2026
Job reference: REQ23057
Contract: Permanent.
Contract Type: Full Time.
Hours: 37 hours per week.
Start Date: As soon as possible.
About the Role
We are seeking to appoint a highly effective strategic leader to the role of Director of Estates. The successful candidate will provide professional oversight and clear strategic direction, setting Trust-wide standards and ensuring consistent delivery through effective leadership of Estates Hub Leaders and the wider estates teams. The postholder will have a proven track record of leading estates programmes and teams to drive operational improvement. The Director of Estates will develop and implement the Trust’s Estates Strategy, bringing a robust approach to asset management, lifecycle planning and condition improvement. Working closely with senior leaders, the postholder will shape and maintain the Trust’s long-term investment plan, ensuring School Condition Allocation (SCA) and Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) funding capital programmes are delivered and aligned to educational need, sustainability and long-term estate resilience. A strong focus on compliance, assurance and risk management will underpin the post. The Director of Estates will maintain oversight of estates-related risk, ensure academy sites are audit‑ready, and lead estates business continuity and disaster recovery planning. The postholder will lead the Trust’s approach to contractor performance and procurement, including senior oversight of hard/soft facilities management, compliance services and any Private Finance Initiative (PFI) arrangements, ensuring safe working practices and value for money. Effective financial stewardship will be central, with responsibility for budget oversight, cost control and forecasting, and for strengthening governance and reporting across estates activity. The Director of Estates will also drive sustainability, energy reduction and operational efficiency initiatives across the estate, supporting environmentally responsible and cost‑effective operations.
About You
The successful candidate will be:
- Strategic, organised and influential, able to set clear direction and deliver estates strategy across a multi‑site organisation while building strong relationships with academy leaders.
- An empowering people leader, developing Estates Hub Leaders and the wider estates teams, setting high standards, building capability, flexibility, accountability and consistency.
- A clear communicator, able to translate complex estates issues into concise options, risks and recommendations.
- Calm and decisive under pressure, demonstrating strong judgement during escalated incidents, emergencies and high‑risk situations.
- Commercially astute, able to secure value for money and hold contractors to account.
- Comfortable leading major capital programmes safely with minimal disruption to academy operations.
- Customer‑focused and collaborative, balancing academy needs with Trust‑wide consistency and compliance requirements.
- Flexible and mobile, with the ability to travel regularly between academies and geographical hubs, attending meetings, including out‑of‑hours work as required.
About Place Partnership
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward‑thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care and education of young people. Place Partnership represents the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. Both organisations shared a clear ambition - to grow our families of schools, extend the impact of our work, and ensure more children, families and communities could benefit from high‑quality education. We recognise that by coming together, we will create a larger organisation with greater capacity to deliver exceptional learning experiences, strengthen school improvement, and contribute more meaningfully to the wider education system. From 1 September 2026, we will comprise 12 academies, supporting children and young people from early years through to Post 16. We treat people with care and compassion, building belonging, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. We recognise that our people are our greatest strength, and as such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth. For full details, please see our recruitment pack.
Further Information
Visits are warmly welcomed and can be arranged. For further details regarding this opportunity, for an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact kparker@maltbylearningtrust.com.
Closing Date: Friday 5 June 2026 at 12 noon.
Interview Dates: Interviews are expected to take place between 9 June to 12 June 2026.
Employment checks: Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, further details of which can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
Equality and Diversity: Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles. Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information.
Early Applications: Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.
Benefits: Cycle to Work Scheme, 24/7 GP access, Cash Healthcare plan, Staff Rewards Gateway, Smart Tech.
Address: Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU.
Director of Estates employer: Doncaster City Council
Place Partnership Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Rotherham that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff. As a forward-thinking organisation, we provide comprehensive benefits, including a Cycle to Work Scheme and 24/7 GP access, while fostering a culture of inclusion and collaboration. Our commitment to developing our employees ensures that you will have ample opportunities for career advancement and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the education of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Estates
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know about the Director of Estates role. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Place Partnership Trust thoroughly. Understand their values and recent projects, so you can align your experience with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around leadership and strategic planning. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role can keep you fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely keen on joining their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Estates
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Director of Estates role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a strategic leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively. Share specific examples of how you've empowered others and driven operational improvements in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We want to see how you can translate complex issues into clear options and recommendations, just like you would in the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Place Partnership.
How to prepare for a job interview at Doncaster City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the Trust’s Estates Strategy and understand how it aligns with educational needs. Familiarise yourself with key terms like asset management and lifecycle planning, so you can confidently discuss how your experience can drive operational improvement.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to lead teams effectively. Think about times when you empowered others or built strong relationships with stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you set high standards and foster accountability within your teams.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating complex estates issues into simple, actionable insights. During the interview, aim to communicate your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing risks and recommendations. This will demonstrate your ability to be a clear communicator under pressure.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in high-pressure situations, such as managing escalated incidents or emergencies. Prepare by thinking through your decision-making process in these scenarios, showcasing your calmness and strong judgement when faced with challenges.
