Property Director -UHNW Private Estate in London

Full-time | Based in Wiltshire, must be able to travel to Shropshire.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional Property Director to take strategic and operational responsibility for a substantial and diverse rural property portfolio owned by a high-profile private organisation. This is a senior leadership role offering full oversight of capital development, asset management, and long-term estate strategy across multiple rural estates. The successful candidate will work closely with the Estate Director and lead an in-house professional team, while directing best-in-class external advisers and contractors. The role offers rare exposure to complex heritage assets, agricultural infrastructure, residential and commercial property, and significant capital projects — with the autonomy to shape outcomes and add long-term value.

Key Responsibilities

• Development & Capital Projects: Lead capital expenditure projects across multiple rural estates, managing the full lifecycle from concept and feasibility through design, planning, procurement, delivery, and handover. Define clear project objectives and ensure focus, quality, and value throughout. Oversee tendering processes, including preparation of client briefs, schedules of works, and contractor selection. Manage and administer contracts, with experience of the JCT suite advantageous. Carry out regular site inspections across development projects and the wider portfolio. Direct the asset management of a large rural property portfolio (200+ assets), including residential, commercial, agricultural, and mixed-use property. Develop and implement business plans, leasing strategies, refurbishment programmes, and tenant management approaches. Ensure assets are managed proactively, sustainably, and in alignment with long-term estate objectives.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Line manage in-house building surveyors and coordinate multidisciplinary external consultant teams. Build strong, trusted relationships with tenants, professional advisers, contractors, and internal stakeholders. Encourage innovation, challenge conventional approaches, and foster a collaborative, value-driven culture. Monitor and control project and estate budgets to meet cost, value, and performance targets. Interrogate proposals from consultants and contractors to secure optimal commercial and technical outcomes. Track, analyse, and report key project and asset performance metrics.
• Reporting & Governance: Prepare and present project updates, financial reports, and risk assessments to the Estate Director. Demonstrate a deep understanding of the “how” and “why” behind recommendations, providing concise and confident advice to support decision-making. Share lessons learned across projects and teams to drive continuous improvement.

About You

You will be a commercially astute, highly credible property professional with the gravitas and discretion required for a senior private-estate appointment. You will bring:

• 8+ years’ experience in property development or project management, ideally within a rural estates environment.
• Strong working knowledge of rural property, estate infrastructure, and agricultural contexts (advantageous).
• Demonstrable experience delivering complex capital projects and managing large property portfolios.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. RICS) combined with robust project management expertise.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• A highly organised, analytical, and financially literate mindset, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• A professional, personable, and confident presence, capable of representing a high-profile private organisation.
• The ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and handle sensitive matters with absolute discretion.