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, 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 relationship management.
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:
- Provide senior professional estate management expertise across our diverse portfolio of freehold and leasehold properties.
- 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.
- 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.
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. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self. You can contact us by email if you have any recruitment queries.
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.
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 employer: HISTORIC ENGLAND
Historic England is an exceptional employer, dedicated to preserving and promoting England's historic environment while fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. With a generous benefits package that includes 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 an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Historic England's values, projects, and recent news. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about the interview process. Plus, it shows initiative!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for behavioural questions! Think of examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills in property management, negotiations, and relationship building. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're filling out your application, make sure to write in your own words. We want to hear your unique voice and experiences, so don’t hold back! Use AI tools for inspiration, but let your personality shine through.
Tailor Your Responses:Take a good look at the job description and align your answers with the skills and experiences they’re looking for. Highlight your qualifications like MRICS and any relevant property management experience to show us you’re the right fit.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of successful negotiations or projects you've managed. This will help us see how you can bring value to our team as Head of Estates.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at HISTORIC ENGLAND
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your MRICS qualifications and any relevant property management experience. Be ready to discuss specific examples of your lease negotiations and how you've managed budgets in the past. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory, but you can apply it practically.
✨Understand Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with Historic England’s goals, especially their Net Zero ambitions and how they manage their diverse portfolio. Showing that you understand their mission and values will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and how you can contribute to their objectives.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since they use a behavioural science-backed recruitment platform, expect questions that assess your past experiences. Think of situations where you’ve successfully managed relationships or resolved conflicts, particularly in landlord/tenant scenarios. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about their current projects or challenges they face in estate management. This shows that you’re not only interested in the position but also in how you can help them succeed in their mission.
