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- Tasks: Lead the development of an ambitious Estates strategy for a historic castle.
- Company: Join Leeds Castle, a stunning 900-year-old heritage site and popular attraction.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for creativity and impact.
- Why this job: Make a difference in conservation and sustainability while working in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field and 5+ years in a senior Estates role required.
- Other info: Applications close on February 28, 2025; reach out for a confidential chat.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Leeds Castle, a stunning 900-year-old Grade 1 listed moated castle set in 990 acres of Grade II* listed parkland, is seeking a dynamic & visionary Estates Director. This iconic heritage site, open to the public since 1976, continues to enchant visitors as a glamorous retreat and popular attraction.
Job Purpose:
As Estates Director, you will develop & deliver an ambitious Estates strategy, ensuring optimum land use, environmental sustainability & biodiversity enhancement. You will maintain excellent standards of presentation & conservation of buildings, grounds, gardens & golf course, ensuring safe & legally compliant operations. You will also ensure excellent service is provided to both guests & internal Leeds Castle customers
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and gain approval for a holistic Estates Strategy, embedding a 5-year project pipeline in the Leeds Castle Business Plan.
- Optimise land use to meet conservation, financial, environmental & biodiversity objectives.
- Working with Deputy Head of Estates, Capital Projects Manager, and external consultants to ensure major projects are well-planned and delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
- Ensure safety & legal compliance in collaboration with Fire, Health & Safety Manager, and work with the Security Manager to protect estate assets and manage emergency procedures.
- Monitor and reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions, supporting the journey to Net Zero, and enhance habitat and biodiversity in collaboration with the Gardens & Grounds Manager and Falconry & Wildlife Manager.
The Candidate:
We are looking for a candidate with a degree in a relevant discipline and at least 5 years of experience in a senior Estates role. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in leading Hard and Soft Services, Security, Gardens, Grounds, Biodiversity, and major project management.
They should have a good appreciation of the constraints and opportunities of working in a heritage, listed environment, and extensive experience in leading Health & Safety and legal compliance.
Personal Qualities:
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, relationship, and partnership-building skills.
- Strategic and analytical mindset, with a curiosity for the latest best practice.
- Commercial mindset, pragmatic and flexible in approach.
- Customer-focused (both external and internal).
- Organised, with keen attention to detail.
- Confident and professional communicator, both written and verbal.
- Collaborative and creative thinker, innovative and questioning.
- Strong team player, respecting the skills and expertise of others.
- Empathetic and people-focused, strong leader.
- Committed to promoting diversity and inclusion across all work.
For further information and details on how to apply, please visit
For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:
William Pringle
Partner, Head of Charity, Arts, Culture & Heritage Practice
Berwick Partners
+44 (0) 207 518 2635 / +44 (0) 7515 919 648
Closing date for applications: Friday 28th February 2025
Estates Director employer: Leeds Castle
Contact Detail:
Leeds Castle Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Estates Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the unique challenges and opportunities of managing a heritage site like Leeds Castle. Understanding the specific regulations and conservation practices in place will give you an edge in discussions during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the estates management field, especially those with experience in heritage sites. Engaging with industry experts can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in leading major projects, particularly in environments that require compliance with health and safety regulations. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to sustainability and biodiversity in your conversations. Leeds Castle is focused on environmental goals, so demonstrating your passion and previous achievements in these areas will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Estates Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Estates Director position. Understand the key responsibilities and personal qualities required, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in estates management, project management, and compliance within a heritage environment. Use specific examples that demonstrate your strategic mindset and leadership skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for heritage conservation and sustainability. Mention how you can contribute to Leeds Castle's vision and goals.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, emphasize any significant achievements in previous roles that relate to land use optimization, biodiversity enhancement, or successful project delivery. Quantify your successes where possible to make a stronger impact.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds Castle
✨Show Your Vision
As an Estates Director, it's crucial to demonstrate your strategic thinking. Prepare to discuss your vision for the Estates strategy and how you would approach optimizing land use while ensuring environmental sustainability.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Make sure to emphasize your experience in leading Hard and Soft Services, as well as major project management. Be ready to provide specific examples of past projects that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills
Given the importance of relationship-building in this role, be prepared to showcase your interpersonal and negotiation skills. Share instances where you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders to achieve common goals.
✨Discuss Compliance and Safety
Since safety and legal compliance are key aspects of the role, come equipped with knowledge about relevant regulations and your experience in ensuring compliance. Discuss how you would work with the Health & Safety Manager to maintain high standards.
