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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estates and sustainability initiatives at a world-renowned botanical institution.
- Company: Join a prestigious botanical garden with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful leadership role, and opportunity to drive change.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in sustainability and estate management while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in estates, strong financial skills, and a passion for sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 72000 £ per year.
The Head of Estates and Sustainability plays a critical role in ensuring that RBGE's estate and infrastructure support its position as a world-leading botanical institution and visitor attraction.
Reporting directly to the Executive Team, and with responsibility for the Estates and Sustainability Department, the post provides strategic and operational leadership across estates and facilities. The role ensures that all RBGE sites are secure, resilient, compliant, and fully aligned with RBGE's environmental mission and sustainability objectives. This is a senior leadership position, requiring strong strategic capability alongside hands-on oversight of complex estates, capital programmes, and sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability
- Support the implementation of RBGE's Sustainability Strategy and Carbon Management Plan, embedding sustainable practice across the estate.
- Champion the integration of Nature-Based Solutions to climate change across all RBGE sites.
- Ensure sustainability principles are embedded within capital development, maintenance programmes, and operational delivery.
Main Duties
- Leadership and Management
- Provide strategic leadership for the Estates function, ensuring high-quality, forward-looking operational services.
- Represent RBGE on estates-related matters across external networks and internal planning forums.
- Oversee major and minor capital works, including collaboration with external project managers to deliver the Edinburgh Biomes Programme, encompassing glasshouse restoration and replacement, development of a sustainable energy centre, and construction of plant quarantine facilities.
- Contribute as a senior leader to the delivery of the RBGE Corporate Strategy through effective cross-organisational collaboration.
- Lead the development and implementation of the Asset Management Plan, Estates Strategy, and Estates Masterplan to enhance RBGE's property portfolio.
- Oversee operational planning, risk management, capital planning, and business case development, in line with organisational financial governance.
- Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and ensure clear communication around estates-related change programmes.
- Manage departmental budgets and procurement processes, ensuring compliance with regulations and value-for-money principles.
- Identify and secure external funding opportunities to support estate development, sustainability goals, and long-term resilience.
- Lead resilience planning, including capital programmes, business continuity, disaster recovery, and the implementation of audit recommendations.
- Ensure all RBGE gardens deliver safe, clean, and high-quality facilities, meeting 5-star visitor grading standards.
- Develop and maintain an organisation-wide Estates Masterplan.
- Lead space optimisation initiatives to support organisational efficiency and meet the needs of staff, students, and volunteers.
- Take overall responsibility for maintenance, repairs, environmental controls, and building services, ensuring reliability, statutory compliance, and fitness for purpose.
- Manage contracts for cleaning, waste management, catering services, and a wide range of external suppliers, with a strong focus on quality, performance, and cost control.
- Oversee health and safety planning, reporting, and coordination, working closely with Health and Safety Advisors and the Head of People and Organisational Development.
- Ensure full legal and statutory compliance across the Estates function, embedding a strong culture of accountability.
- Manage compliance with lease agreements between the Scottish Ministers and RBGE.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including neighbours, contractors, regulators, and funders.
- Lead, motivate, and develop the Estates team through clear work plans, effective performance management, and a coaching-based leadership approach.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as required to support organisational needs.
Person Specification
- Essential
- Demonstrable senior leadership and experience within estates, facilities, or a similar complex operational environment.
- Proven experience in strategic estates planning, asset management, and delivery of capital programmes.
- Strong financial acumen, including budget management, capital planning, and business case development.
- In-depth knowledge of health and safety, statutory compliance, and risk management frameworks.
- Experience embedding sustainability and carbon reduction principles within large or complex estates.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior and executive level.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and external partners in a complex, stakeholder-rich environment.
- Experience within the public sector, cultural, scientific, or heritage environments.
- Knowledge of sustainability standards, environmental accreditation, or nature-based climate solutions.
- Track record of securing external funding for estate or sustainability projects.
Head Of Estates - Interim (6 Months) in Edinburgh employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Estates - Interim (6 Months) in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the estates and sustainability field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their sustainability goals and recent projects. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to ask insightful questions that can impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! In your conversations, highlight your experience in managing teams and projects, especially in complex environments. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully led initiatives that align with sustainability and estates management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s make a difference together in the world of estates and sustainability!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Estates - Interim (6 Months) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in estates management and sustainability. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Leadership Skills: As this is a senior leadership position, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strategic capability and hands-on experience. Share examples of how you've led teams or projects in complex environments, and how you’ve driven sustainability initiatives.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand RBGE's Sustainability Strategy and how it aligns with the role. Brush up on your knowledge of nature-based solutions and sustainability principles, as these will be key topics during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your senior leadership experience in estates and facilities management. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams and managed complex projects, especially in a stakeholder-rich environment.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Since this role involves budget management and capital planning, be prepared to talk about your financial acumen. Have specific examples ready that highlight your experience in developing business cases and managing departmental budgets.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built relationships with stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share strategies you've used to communicate effectively and influence decisions at a senior level, as this will be crucial for the role.