At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Works Department and oversee building projects on a diverse estate.
- Company: Halifax Estates, managing over 20,000 acres of agricultural and commercial properties.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, accommodation, pension scheme, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on property management and development.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in building surveying or related fields, with strong leadership skills.
Location: Halifax Estates, based at Bugthorpe, East Yorkshire, YO41 1QG
Salary: Dependent on experience and qualifications.
Job type: Permanent, Full-time
Halifax Estates is a diverse mix of agricultural, residential and commercial property owned by the Halifax family across North, South and East Yorkshire and extends to over 20,000 acres. The main estate is Garrowby Estates, located 13 miles east of York. The estate comprises the following:
- Two principal houses
- 40 let farms
- 750 acre in-hand farm
- Stud farm
- 1,140 acres of forestry
- 140 let houses and cottages
- Various commercial properties including a village pub
The estate and the three other smaller estates are managed from the Estate Office in Bugthorpe. In addition, Lord Irwin has his own commercial property portfolio in York and South Yorkshire which the successful candidate will be expected to assist with from time to time. There are 37 employees including an in-house Works Department with a staff of 6 dedicated joiners and builders, reporting to the Buildings Manager.
About The Role:
The Estate is looking for a highly motivated, organised and experienced individual to join the Management team as Head of Buildings to lead the Works Department. The position will include the following tasks:
- Ultimate responsibility for the Works Department and the Buildings Manager, including overseeing the personal development of employees, carrying out annual reviews and HR duties
- Overseeing repair and improvement projects on the Estate, ensuring all work undertaken by contractors and in-house teams is executed to the highest standard
- Leading on major capital projects, from budget preparation, tender process and cost control to project management and ensuring any variances are flagged early for approval
- To ensure projects are delivered within agreed timescales and that tenants and stakeholders are kept up to date with project progress so that, as a major landlord, the Estate provides a customer service of the highest quality
- As appropriate, the preparation of schedules of work including detailed specifications and tender documents, including CAD drawings if applicable, and obtaining quotations
- Ultimate responsibility for the Works Department's Health & Safety and CDM compliance, including contractors when applicable
- The preparation of annual Works Department budgets including monitoring and managing throughout the year, to ensure budget adherence
- Drawing up property Record of Conditions and Dilapidation schedules and, where appropriate, negotiating with tenants
- Producing floor plans and a schedule of reinstatement costs for the Estates' properties for insurance purposes
- Liaising with stakeholders, local authorities and interested parties and obtaining any necessary external consents for specific projects
- Producing Repair and Maintenance Programmes for Estate property to assist with long-term budgeting, using external advisors as appropriate
- To incorporate more sustainable building practices and the use of new technologies onto the Estate
- Assisting with the management of the commercial property portfolio in York and South Yorkshire
About you:
Experience And Skills:
- A good understanding of buildings regulations and legislation
- Experience of dealing with a range of building types, from modern agricultural buildings to historic buildings
- Experience of delivering projects on time and on budget
- Ability to work as an individual and within a small team
- Flexible approach to hours worked and duties undertaken
- Good communication and organisational skills
- Honesty, enthusiasm and capacity for hard work
- Ability to lead and develop employees
- Good knowledge of Health and Safety and CDM regulations
- Good IT skills especially Excel, Word and Outlook
- Full UK Driving licence
Qualifications:
Ideally MRICS qualified Building Surveyor or other relevant qualifications with at least 10 years PQE.
Remuneration, Working Hours & Holiday Entitlement:
Salary dependent on experience and qualifications. Accommodation, if required, will be provided as part of the remuneration package. The successful applicant will be entitled to join the Estate's pension scheme and the employer will contribute 6% of salary. Working hours are 8am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday with 1 hour for lunch. Some flexibility will be required at busy times and the successful applicant will be expected to respond at times to emergency call outs out of hours. Holiday entitlement is 33 working days including Public Holidays.
Please click on the APPLY button to send your CV and Cover Letter for this role.
Candidates with the relevant experience of; Head of Property & Building Surveying, Head of Estate Works, Head of Property Maintenance, Senior Building Surveyor, Chartered Building Surveyor (MRICS), Estate Buildings Manager, Property Portfolio Manager, Works Department Manager may also be considered for this role.
Head of Buildings in Bugthorpe employer: Halifax Estates
Halifax Estates is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead in a diverse and expansive environment across beautiful Yorkshire landscapes. With a strong commitment to employee development and a supportive work culture, we provide our team with the resources and opportunities needed for meaningful growth and career advancement. Join us to be part of a family-owned legacy that values innovation and sustainability in property management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Buildings in Bugthorpe
✨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
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✨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 Head of Buildings at Halifax Estates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buildings in Bugthorpe
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 Halifax Estates
✨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!
