Director of Estates
Application Deadline: 31 October 2026
Department: Estates
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Hugh Baird College - Main Campus
Description
Director of Estates
Hugh Baird College, Bootle
Full-Time, Permanent
Competitive
40 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Access to Medicash and a wide range of staff benefits
Join an Outstanding Team
At Hugh Baird College, an Ofsted Outstanding provider, we are committed to inspiring, challenging, and transforming lives. Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we foster a workplace where ideas are valued, creativity is nurtured, and professional growth is supported.
About the Role
As Director of Estates, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a diverse college estate, ensuring our buildings, infrastructure and facilities remain safe, compliant, sustainable and fit for the future. You will lead the development and delivery of the College's Estate Strategy and capital investment programme, helping to create outstanding environments for learners, staff and the wider community.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic management and development of the College's estate across multiple sites.
- Develop and deliver the College's Estates Strategy, ensuring facilities support organisational objectives and future growth.
- Lead capital projects and estate improvement programmes from planning through to successful delivery.
- Ensure all estates, facilities and health and safety activities meet statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee maintenance, facilities management and contracted services to provide safe, efficient and high-quality environments.
- Manage estates budgets, resources and contracts to achieve value for money and operational excellence.
- Drive sustainability and energy-efficiency initiatives across the College estate.
- Provide expert estates advice to senior leaders and governors, supporting informed decision-making and long-term investment planning.
About you
We are looking for a commercially minded estates professional who can combine strategic vision with operational excellence.
Qualifications and Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience in estates, facilities, property or infrastructure management within a large and complex organisation.
- A proven track record of developing estate strategies and delivering long-term maintenance and asset management programmes.
- Extensive experience leading large-scale capital projects and refurbishment schemes.
- Strong financial, commercial and contract management expertise.
- Comprehensive knowledge of statutory compliance, health and safety and building-related legislation.
- Experience presenting to executive leaders, boards or governing bodies.
- A degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience.
Professional memberships such as IWFM, RICS or CIOB, along with health and safety or project management qualifications, would be advantageous.
Rewards & Benefits at Hugh Baird College
Why Join Hugh Baird College?
When you join us, you become part of a caring and supportive community that prioritises employee wellbeing, development, and recognition. Here are some of the benefits available to you:
Generous holiday allowance
Up to 50 days annual holiday allowance, excluding bank holidays.
Flexible Working
We offer flexible working options depending on the business need, which can provide a better work-life balance for our employees.
Medicash
Access to Medicash’s health plans are designed to look after you and your family by boosting your access to treatment and support.
Pension Scheme
You will have access to two of the best pension schemes in the country, the Teachers' or the Local Government Pension schemes, depending on your role with us.
Professional Development
We are committed to providing continual professional development, with both formal and informal opportunities designed to enhance your skills, knowledge and career growth.
Industrial Commercial Updates
Our teachers receive 35 hours per year to choose a commercial operation to visit with a view to bringing new innovative ideas back to the College.
Reward and Recognition
Our 'Get Recognised' employee reward scheme enables continuous acknowledgement of employee contributions, and our annual staff celebration event highlights colleagues who consistently embody our values.
Lifestyle Fitness Gym
You will have discounted access to our fully-equipped and modern on-campus Lifestyle Fitness gym.
Health and Wellbeing
You will have opportunities to take part in staff groups such as yoga, walking and meditation. You will also have access to Mental Health support and a Cycle to Work scheme.
Travel
You can take advantage of discounted rail travel or bus travel, interest-free season ticket loans for public transport services and free on-campus parking.
Retail Discounts
You will have access to offers to cashback and discounts at well-known retailers.
Blue Light Card
You may be eligible to apply for a Blue Light card, giving you access to exclusive discounts.
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Director of Estates in Sefton employer: Hugh Baird College
Hugh Baird College is an outstanding employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development, offering up to 50 days of annual leave and a competitive pension scheme. Our collaborative and innovative work culture fosters growth and recognition, ensuring that every team member can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of learners in the Liverpool City Region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Estates in Sefton
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Hugh Baird College.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Hugh Baird College? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Hugh Baird College's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Director of Estates role at Hugh Baird College, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hugh Baird College
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Hugh Baird College operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Hugh Baird College. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Hugh Baird College.
