Estate Director in Southampton

Our client is in the process of developing and renovating a significant private estate (c. 450 acres), currently undergoing a major transformation programme. The estate comprises a principal residence, a secondary residential property (former stables), agricultural land, and a series of development projects including the conversion of farm buildings into artists residencies, alongside extensive landscaping and environmental initiatives. The estate is supported by a small number of long-standing and external operators, including an experienced Estate Manager responsible for day-to-day land management.

The Principal works closely with a project management team overseeing the ongoing capital works and divides time between London and the estate. The Principal is seeking to appoint an exceptional Estate Director to take on a newly created, senior leadership role with full responsibility for the estate. This is a residential position working closely with the Principal's existing team. The Estate Director will act as the central coordinating figure across all aspects of the estate, providing strategic direction, operational oversight and leadership through a period of significant development and beyond. The Estate Director will report to the CEO of the family office.

The successful candidate will bring structure, clarity and long-term vision, with overarching responsibility for the estate's strategy, operations and ongoing development. This role would suit an individual currently managing a smaller estate or similar operation, looking to step into a broader, more complex and high-impact position. This is a rare opportunity to join at a defining stage of the estate's evolution and play a central role in shaping its future.

The Estate Director will assume overarching responsibility for the performance, development and direction of the estate. Core responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership and direction across all aspects of the estate, ensuring a cohesive and well-managed operation
• Overseeing major development and construction projects in close partnership with project managers and advisors
• Developing and implementing a long-term strategic vision for the estate, including land use, agriculture and diversification opportunities
• Leading a high-performing estate and household team and evolving structures as the estate develops
• Ensuring exceptional standards across all residential properties, including maintenance, service and presentation
• Working closely with the House Manager, Head Gardener and Estate Manager, maintaining strategic oversight of land operations
• Leading land, grounds and environmental initiatives, including large-scale landscaping and planting
• Acting as the central point of coordination across all stakeholders, ensuring alignment between the Principal, project teams and operational staff
• Introducing systems, processes and reporting frameworks to ensure efficient and proactive estate management

We are seeking a high-calibre individual with a combination of strategic capability and operational depth. Key attributes will include:

• Strategic Acumen: ability to balance long-term vision with practical delivery across land, property and operations
• Operational Capability: experience managing complex estates or comparable operations with a hands-on approach
• Project Management Expertise: proven ability to oversee significant capital projects and coordinate multiple stakeholders
• Estate & Land Knowledge: strong understanding of rural estates, land management and ideally agricultural operations
• Leadership & Presence: ability to build trust, introduce structure and lead both internal teams and external partners
• Emotional Intelligence: personable, discreet and able to build strong working relationships with principals and teams
• Ownership & Initiative: self-starting, autonomous and accountable for overall performance and direction
• Practical Sophistication: comfortable operating at both strategic and detailed, on-the-ground levels

We anticipate the successful candidate is likely currently managing a smaller estate or similar operation and looking to step into a broader, more complex and higher-impact role. Please note that due to the high volume of applicants responding to our adverts we are regrettably not able to feedback on all applications; only successful candidates will be contacted.