Head of Estates (6-Month FTC) in London

Head of Estates (6-Month FTC) in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a flagship residential development and manage day-to-day operations.
  • Company: Join a high-profile estate in South East London undergoing recovery.
  • Benefits: Opportunity for genuine ownership and impactful leadership.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on health & safety and stakeholder engagement.
  • Why this job: Make meaningful improvements in safety, resident experience, and asset performance.
  • Qualifications: Experience in senior estates roles and strong facilities management knowledge.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Our client is seeking an experienced and driven Head of Estates to lead a flagship residential development in South East London. This role sits within a large, high‑profile estate currently undergoing a complex recovery and re‑mobilisation following a major incident. This is not a steady‑state environment; the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in stabilising operations, restoring estate performance, and preparing the development for full re‑occupation.

Working closely with contractors, consultants, and key stakeholders, you will lead the estate through an active recovery phase, maintaining operational control while remediation and improvement works progress. This is a high‑impact, visible leadership opportunity offering genuine ownership of a complex scheme and the chance to deliver meaningful improvements across operations, safety, resident experience, and long‑term asset performance.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead the day‑to‑day estates and facilities management operations, ensuring a safe, compliant, and well‑maintained environment.
  • Take ownership of re‑mobilisation activities, including oversight of asset readiness, system status, and operational control.
  • Manage hard and soft FM services including M&E maintenance, cleaning, security, waste and public realm.
  • Oversee planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and contractor performance.
  • Work closely with M&E contractors, consultants, and construction teams to ensure systems are safe, compliant, and operationally ready.
  • Maintain control of the estate during a live works / contractor‑heavy environment, ensuring clear accountability and safety standards.
  • Lead on health & safety, fire safety, and statutory compliance across the site.
  • Act as the key point of contact for stakeholders, including residents (when reoccupied), client representatives, and delivery partners.
  • Manage and develop a multi‑disciplinary on‑site team, driving performance, accountability, and engagement.
Your Experience:
  • Proven experience in a senior estates or operations role within large‑scale residential or mixed‑use developments (BTR, PRS, or similar).
  • Experience of mobilisation, handover, or managing complex / recovering estates.
  • Strong understanding of facilities management and building systems (M&E), including PPM regimes and contractor‑led maintenance.
  • Experience working alongside contractors, developers, or within construction or handover environments.
  • Excellent track record managing contractors, service partners, and on‑site teams.
  • Strong knowledge of health & safety, fire safety, and compliance frameworks.
  • Ability to operate confidently in a fast‑paced, evolving environment, maintaining control and prioritising risk.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Head of Estates (6-Month FTC) in London employer: FPMR Ltd

Our client offers an exceptional work environment for the Head of Estates role, situated in the vibrant South East London area. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company fosters a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and accountability. Employees benefit from meaningful leadership opportunities, competitive remuneration, and the chance to make a significant impact on the recovery and enhancement of a flagship residential development.

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Contact Details:

FPMR Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Estates (6-Month FTC) in London

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 lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their challenges and think about how your experience can help them navigate through recovery and re-mobilisation. This will show you’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in their success.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in estates management and how it aligns with the role. Highlight your leadership skills and ability to manage complex environments, as this is key for the Head of Estates position.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates (6-Month FTC) in London

Estates Management
Facilities Management
Health & Safety Compliance
Fire Safety Management
Operational Control
Stakeholder Management
Contractor Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Estates role. Highlight your experience in managing large-scale residential developments and any relevant recovery or mobilisation projects you've been involved in. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your leadership in estates management and your ability to handle complex situations. We love a good story!

Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In your application, make sure to highlight your experience working with various stakeholders. Whether it's residents, contractors, or client representatives, we want to know how you've successfully managed relationships and ensured smooth operations in challenging environments.

Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about StudySmarter and what we stand for!

How to prepare for a job interview at FPMR Ltd

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of estates management, especially in a recovery context. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges that come with managing large-scale residential developments and be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar situations in the past.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role is all about leading teams and managing stakeholders. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully driven performance and engagement in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you handle accountability and ensure safety standards.

Understand the Technical Side

Since this position involves overseeing M&E maintenance and compliance, make sure you can speak confidently about building systems and facilities management. Brush up on your knowledge of planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and contractor management to demonstrate your expertise.

Engage with Stakeholders

Communication is key in this role. Think about how you would approach different stakeholders, from residents to contractors. Prepare to discuss your strategies for maintaining clear lines of communication and ensuring everyone is on the same page during the recovery phase.