At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Enfield Council's property portfolios and drive strategic asset management.
- Company: Join Enfield Council, a key player in local governance and community development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, remote work options, and excellent pension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and professional development in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Enfield through impactful property management and regeneration projects.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in asset management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 88944 - 107535 £ per year.
Head of Estates
We’re looking for a highly skilled and commercially astute Head of Estates to lead Enfield Council’s operational and investment property portfolios – together valued at around £1bn and generating circa £7.5m per year in income.
This is a high‑profile leadership role at the heart of Enfield’s ambitions for excellent services, financial resilience and regeneration.
You’ll be the Council’s principal advisor on all matters of property management, development and asset strategy, shaping how we use our land and buildings to deliver better outcomes for residents and businesses.
About the role
As Head of Estates, you will
- Lead and manage our commercial and operational property teams, including five direct reports, to deliver the Council’s Strategic Asset Management Plan.
- Take corporate responsibility for all landlord & tenant, valuation, asset management, capital valuation, development appraisals and business rates appeals across our diverse portfolio (retail, industrial, office, rural and other non-residential assets).
- Be custodian of the Corporate Landlord operating model, driving the continued transformation and centralisation of property functions and championing best practice across the organisation.
- Provide strategic leadership on the Right Sizing Programme, rationalising and modernising the corporate estate so it is fit for current and future service needs – including disposals, acquisitions and development opportunities.
- Play a key role in major projects including Meridian Water, advising on significant income, revenue and receipt opportunities and helping to shape the long‑term strategy for this landmark regeneration scheme.
- Oversee the council’s accommodation strategy, including space utilisation, internal moves and chairing the Council’s Accommodation Board.
- Lead on identifying and delivering investment and re‑investment opportunities, joint ventures and direct developments (typically in the £5m‑£30m range).
- Ensure all property and estate management activity is legally compliant, well‑governed, and underpinned by robust performance frameworks and KPIs.
- Act as a key member of the wider Property Services leadership team, deputising for the Director of Property when required and working closely with senior managers, Members, Finance, Legal and other stakeholders.
About you
We’re looking for a senior property professional who can combine technical excellence with strategic influence and strong people leadership.
You will bring
- Extensive asset/estate management experience across commercial and/or public sector portfolios, covering multiple general practice disciplines (valuation, landlord & tenant, asset management, compulsory purchase, business rates, voluntary sector, etc.).
- A track record of working at a senior level in local government and/or the private sector across complex, diverse operational portfolios – including experience of advising and presenting to senior stakeholders and elected Members.
- Deep understanding of asset management best practice and legislation relating to operational and occupational property.
- Proven experience of leading and developing professional teams and managing external advisors to deliver high‑quality, customer‑focused services.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including managing significant budgets and investment programmes.
- Strategic thinking, excellent judgement and the ability to work effectively across professional disciplines, develop and deliver strategies, and drive change programmes.
- Confident use of IT, asset management systems and data to inform decision-making.
Qualifications
- Member or Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – or equivalent relevant professional experience – is essential.
Related qualifications (e. g.
IRRV, Prince2, Accredited Mediator, Registered Valuer, MCIArb) are desirable.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Therefore, we advise that you complete fully and submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Why it's great to work for Enfield Council
- An excellent pension through the LGPS.
- Up to 32 days annual leave depending on grade and length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year and an extra day off at Christmas.
- A blend of remote and office based working for most roles. Interest free season ticket loan repayable over three or ten months.
- Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods.
- Employee Assistance Programme to provide advice and counselling services.
- This is a free and confidential service available to staff and members of their family.
- Health and leisure discounts and tax‑free bikes for work. 1 month's paid sabbatical for registered Social Workers working in Children’s Social Care.
If you have previously applied for this role within the past 6 months, unfortunately, a second application will not be considered.
Certain posts in the Council are ‘politically restricted’ which means that staff employed in these posts may not undertake political activities either in or outside the workplace and therefore if candidates are affiliated with any political party, we may not be able to proceed with their application.
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Head of Estates in Essex employer: London Borough of Enfield
Enfield Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where strategic leadership and professional growth are at the forefront. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, you will benefit from generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for career development through various training programmes. The blend of remote and office-based working, alongside health and leisure discounts, makes Enfield Council a rewarding place to advance your career while contributing to the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates in Essex
✨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 London Borough of Enfield.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like London Borough of Enfield? 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
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates in Essex
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 Head of Estates role at London Borough of Enfield, 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 London Borough of Enfield
✨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 London Borough of Enfield 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 London Borough of Enfield. 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 London Borough of Enfield.
