At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead maintenance and facilities for iconic palaces, ensuring their heritage is preserved for future generations.
- Company: Join Historic Royal Palaces, a charity dedicated to preserving world-class heritage sites.
- Benefits: Enjoy enhanced holidays, generous pension contributions, annual pay reviews, and family-friendly policies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on heritage conservation while embracing sustainability and new technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in Facilities Management or related field; strong leadership and project management experience required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are the independent charity that loves and looks after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. The palaces are the setting for the stories that shape us all, and we’re bringing them to people in ways that mean more to them. We want everyone to find themselves in the spaces and stories we share.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Maintenance & Facilities to join our Maintenance & Facilities team at Historic Royal Palaces.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the maintenance and facilities function at Historic Royal Palaces sites across London and Northern Ireland.
- Own the plan for the function, lead the team to deliver a varied portfolio of projects and maintenance works across our estate, and maximise the public benefit we deliver.
- Lead development of the function over the next decade, addressing challenges presented by climate change and achieving a smooth transition to green energy.
- Capitalize on opportunities that new technology and AI present us with, and upskill the team as we embrace the changes.
- Be a guardian of our heritage, ensuring sensitivity to the world-class heritage we hold for future generations.
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent in Facilities/Estates Management, Building Services, Engineering, or related field and Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., IWFM, RICS, IEE, IMechE, CIOB).
- Strong experience in senior estates/facilities management, ideally within heritage or complex multi-site environments.
- Demonstrable ability to manage and coordinate complex activities including building-related projects within limited time constraints and under pressure.
- Technical knowledge of building maintenance, conservation, and compliance.
- Experience leading and developing large multidisciplinary teams; experience in matrix structures, tender processes, contract management, and performance management.
- Good financial acumen and experience managing significant budgets.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills, ability to inspire multi-disciplinary teams, build strong working relationships with senior staff, and command respect from a wide range of senior level stakeholders within and outside the organization.
- Strong commitment to customer service in a complex organization.
- Clear understanding of sustainability issues in the heritage environment sector.
Benefits
- Enhanced holiday entitlement
- Generous employers pension contributions (up to 11%)
- Annual pay reviews & bonuses
- Critical illness cover & life assurance
- Family-friendly policies and benefits
- Staff discounts and membership to all palaces
Closing date: 31st January 2026. Please view the job profile and person specification for further information about the role.
Head of Maintenance & Facilities employer: Historic Royal Palaces
Contact Detail:
Historic Royal Palaces Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Maintenance & Facilities
✨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 organisation and its values. Understand their approach to heritage and sustainability, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop others, especially in complex environments like heritage sites.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Historic Royal Palaces team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Maintenance & Facilities
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Maintenance & Facilities role. Highlight your relevant experience in facilities management, especially in heritage settings. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about maintaining our historic palaces and how you plan to tackle challenges like climate change. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead a team. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams and complex projects. We want to know how you’ve made an impact!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Historic Royal Palaces
✨Know Your Heritage
Familiarise yourself with the history and significance of the palaces you'll be overseeing. Understanding their heritage will not only show your passion for the role but also help you articulate how you plan to maintain and enhance these historic sites.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you inspired your team to overcome them, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Emphasise Sustainability Knowledge
Given the focus on climate change and green energy, be ready to discuss your understanding of sustainability issues in the heritage sector. Share any relevant projects or initiatives you've led that align with these values.
✨Financial Acumen is Key
Brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past, particularly in complex environments. Highlight any experience you have with contract management and performance metrics to showcase your financial savvy.