Head of Estates

Kara Healthcare is a quality care provider devoted to delivering first-class dementia, nursing, residential, and respite care to residents living in our homes. We believe our residents deserve choice, dignity, and independence. Our main focus is to create a friendly, safe, and warm environment for everyone in our homes. Tailored care plans and 24-hour personal support for each resident help us achieve this. We offer a wide variety of care options from short and long-term residential to person-centred nursing care. Kara Healthcare are continuously looking to recruit talented individuals to join our caring, enthusiastic, and supportive team. Everyone here has a fundamental part to play in our continued success and growth.

Job Overview: We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Head of Estates to lead the strategic oversight, operational management, and maintenance of our property portfolio across the Northeast and East Midlands regions. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the COO. The role is critical in ensuring all homes meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, quality, and functionality to support the delivery of exceptional person-centred care. You will lead the estates function, manage capital projects and budgets, and ensure full regulatory compliance across all sites. You will play a key role in supporting operational performance, service development, and ensuring our environments are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure full compliance with CQC fundamental standards, particularly Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) and Regulation 15 (Premises and Equipment).
• Manage statutory compliance across all properties including gas safety, electrical systems (EICRs), lifting equipment (LOLER), pressure systems (PSSR), and other regulatory requirements.
• Act as Responsible Person for Fire Safety and ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Develop and oversee robust Health and Safety systems including COSHH, working at height, and legionella control (ACOP L8).
• Implement and manage a comprehensive Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme.
• Oversee reactive maintenance ensuring minimal disruption and prioritising resident safety and comfort.
• Lead capital works, refurbishments, and estate improvement projects ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Manage procurement processes and contractor relationships to ensure high standards of quality, safeguarding, and compliance.
• Prepare and manage operational and capital expenditure budgets in a cost-effective manner.
• Collaborate closely with Regional and Registered Managers, Finance, and People teams to ensure estates operations support business performance and regulatory compliance.
• Promote a proactive, solutions-focused culture across the estates team.

About You:

• Proven experience in estates or facilities leadership within healthcare, care homes, or regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of CQC regulations and statutory compliance requirements.
• Experience managing multi-site portfolios and capital projects.
• Confident budget holder with strong financial and commercial awareness.
• Strong contractor management and procurement experience.
• Clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities within care environments.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence across teams.
• NEBOSH, IOSH, or equivalent Health and Safety qualification desirable.
• Relevant estates, building services, or facilities management qualification desirable.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in estates management within a regulated care or healthcare setting.
• Strong understanding of statutory testing and certification requirements.
• Experience leading planned preventative maintenance programmes.
• Ability to travel regularly across Northeast and East Midlands regions.
• Commitment to maintaining safe, compliant, and high-quality environments.

Package and Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Full-time regional role.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Supportive senior leadership team.
• Clear career progression opportunities.