At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estate management and implement strategies for historic properties across England.
- Company: Historic England, dedicated to preserving and promoting the nation's historic environment.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, competitive pension contributions, corporate discounts, and free entry to heritage sites.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a strong focus on diversity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on England's historic places while enjoying flexible working options.
- Qualifications: MRICS or equivalent, with experience in property negotiations and financial reporting.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them. Historic England has a fantastic opportunity for you to join us as our Head of Estates. This is a full time, permanent position. The location of this role is National where we offer hybrid working, you will be based in one of our following offices and from home - Newcastle, York, Manchester, Birmingham, Swindon, Bristol, Portsmouth (Fort Cumberland) and Cambridge. This role will involve frequent travel to all office locations as required.
We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive defined benefit pension scheme to which we make 28.97% employer contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.
What you will be doing
As Head of Estates, you will provide senior professional estate management expertise across our diverse portfolio of freehold and leasehold properties. You will play a pivotal role in implementing the organisation’s Estates Strategy through property decisions that optimise resources, support the delivery of our Net Zero ambitions and deliver great workplaces. You will provide clear, commercially sound and technical advice.
Who we are looking for
- Qualification - MRICS or equivalent qualification
- Breadth of experience - Property lease and rent negotiations, business rates, legalities
- Line Management
- Example of successful negotiations
- Budgets and financial reporting
- Approach to Landlord/tenant liaison
- Relationship management
Please note your application will be scored and assessed against the above criteria. We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. Having won the Gold Award from MIND for workplace wellbeing in seven consecutive years, we also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance. We are an inclusive employer and believe that flexible working options are for everyone. We want to make sure our working arrangements don’t prevent anyone from joining us because of their personal circumstances. We also want to provide you with the best balance in your home and work life that we can. We are open to considering options including job sharing, part-time working, compressed hours working and different working locations, including hybrid working.
Why work for Historic England
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level. Historic England wants all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process.
At Historic England we use a hiring system called Applied. Applied is a behavioural science-backed recruitment platform that reduces bias, improves quality of hire and increases diversity. We do not use CV application for the majority of our hiring processes. You will answer a selection of questions that allow our hiring teams to test your skills and suitability for the role. At Historic England, we value the expertise and individuality each candidate brings and want to hear about this in your own words. If you require the use of AI tools or other resources to support your application, we ask that all information is factually accurate, original, and reflects your own experience. To best represent yourself, we encourage you to write in your own words and use AI-generated content only as inspiration—not as direct input.
Provisional interview dates: Week commencing Monday 15th June 2026 - virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Head of Estates in Bristol employer: HISTORIC ENGLAND
Historic England is an exceptional employer that champions the preservation of England’s historic environment while offering a supportive and inclusive work culture. With a generous benefits package, including a competitive pension scheme, 28 days of holiday, and flexible working options, employees are empowered to achieve their professional goals in a healthy work-life balance. The organisation's commitment to diversity and employee wellbeing, alongside opportunities for personal development, makes it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about heritage and community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their Estates Strategy and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to property management and negotiation. The more comfortable you are with your answers, the more confident you'll feel during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen and considered. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Historic England and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're filling out your application, make sure to let your personality shine through. We want to hear your unique voice and experiences, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Responses:Take a moment to read the job description carefully and align your answers with what we’re looking for. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the criteria we’ve set out.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes. Whether it’s a successful negotiation or a project you led, we love to see how you’ve made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups, and you’ll find all the info you need about the role there too!
How to prepare for a job interview at HISTORIC ENGLAND
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of estate management, especially in relation to historic properties. Familiarise yourself with Historic England's Estates Strategy and how it aligns with their Net Zero ambitions. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but also in the organisation's mission.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your expertise in property lease negotiations, financial reporting, and relationship management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team dynamics, and how success is measured in this position. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
✨Be Yourself
Historic England values diversity and individuality, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Share your passion for historic preservation and how your unique background can contribute to the team. Authenticity can set you apart from other candidates.
