At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage building maintenance and refurbishment projects across the estate.
- Company: Goodenough College, a vibrant community focused on quality living and learning.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £55,000, 40-hour work week, and permanent contract.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in creating safe and high-quality environments for our community.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilities management, team leadership, and knowledge of health and safety legislation.
Seeking an experienced hands-on Estates Manager to lead on the scoping, planning and delivery of high-quality building fabric maintenance and internal refurbishment project works across the estate.
Job details Location
Mecklenburgh Square WC1N 2AB
£55,000 per annum
Hours of work
40 hours a week (Monday to Friday)
Contract
Permanent
August 26, 2026
Goodenough College is seeking an experienced and proactive Estates Manager to oversee the effective management, maintenance and improvement of our estate. This is a varied role combining estate management, building fabric maintenance, minor works and soft refurbishment programmes, with responsibility for ensuring safe, compliant and high-quality environments for Members, colleagues and visitors.
Working closely with the Head of Estates and wider Estates team, you will manage planned and reactive maintenance, lead in-house staff and specialist contractors, support asset management planning, and ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and within budget.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage planned and reactive maintenance programmes for building fabric, ensuring statutory and health and safety requirements are met.
- Lead the annual soft refurbishment programme, including inspections, cyclical decoration, bathroom and kitchen renewals and other minor works.
- Manage, support and develop the fabric team, painters and porters, setting clear priorities and maintaining high service standards.
- Coordinate and supervise specialist contractors, ensuring works are delivered safely, on time, to specification and within budget.
- Use CAFM and related systems to monitor assets, maintenance activity, service performance and records.
- Prepare specifications, scopes of works, reports and recommendations to support effective maintenance, procurement and asset planning.
- Monitor budgets, validate payment claims and ensure value for money across maintenance and project activity.
- Support emergency response arrangements and ensure accurate records are maintained for compliance and operational continuity.
Person Specification
- Experience of hard facilities management, including maintenance, repairs and capital projects.
- Experience of undertaking building condition surveys and audits, producing reports to inform estates maintenance strategies, writing repair specifications and planning asset replacement.
- Working knowledge of relevant Acts and health and safety legislation, including the Building Safety Act, Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
- Experience of managing specialist contractors and an in-house maintenance team.
- Excellent interpersonal, teamworking and communication skills, including presenting data to inform decision making.
- Line management experience, including managing and developing a team.
- Strong use of Microsoft Office applications and effective use of specialist software such as CAFM and BMS.
- Experience of procurement, tendering and budget management, including cost control and securing value for money.
Closing date: 26 August 2026
Applicants must provide evidence of the right to live and work in the UK.
Estates Manager employer: Goodenough College
Goodenough College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its staff and the educational experience of its Members. With competitive benefits such as a salary of £44,000 per annum, 25 days of annual leave plus additional time off during Christmas, and opportunities for professional growth within a picturesque London setting, employees can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to a meaningful cause in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estates Manager
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Goodenough College, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Estates Manager at Goodenough College.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Goodenough College
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
