At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee estates strategy across multiple sites, ensuring operational improvement and compliance.
- Company: Join a dynamic Trust focused on educational excellence and sustainable estate management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Flexible working with travel between academies and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of educational facilities while driving sustainability and efficiency.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in estates management and strong strategic planning skills.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
About the Role
We are seeking to appoint a highly effective strategic leader to the role of Director of Estates. The successful candidate will provide professional oversight and clear strategic direction, setting Trust-wide standards and ensuring consistent delivery through effective leadership of Estates Hub Leaders and the wider estates teams. The postholder will have a proven track record of leading estates programmes and teams to drive operational improvement. The Director of Estates will develop and implement the Trust’s Estates Strategy, bringing a robust approach to asset management, lifecycle planning and condition improvement.
Working closely with senior leaders, the postholder will shape and maintain the Trust’s long-term investment plan, ensuring School Condition Allocation (SCA) and Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) funding capital programmes are delivered and aligned to educational need, sustainability and long-term estate resilience. A strong focus on compliance, assurance and risk management will underpin the post. The Director of Estates will maintain oversight of estates-related risk, ensure academy sites are audit-ready, and lead estates business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
The postholder will lead the Trust’s approach to contractor performance and procurement, including senior oversight of hard/soft facilities management, compliance services and any Private Finance Initiative (PFI) arrangements, ensuring safe working practices and value for money. Effective financial stewardship will be central, with responsibility for budget oversight, cost control and forecasting, and for strengthening governance and reporting across estates activity. The Director of Estates will also drive sustainability, energy reduction and operational efficiency initiatives across the estate, supporting environmentally responsible and cost-effective operations.
About You
The successful candidate will be…
- Strategic, organised and influential, able to set clear direction and deliver estates strategy across a multi-site organisation while building strong relationships with academy leaders.
- An empowering people leader, developing Estates Hub Leaders and the wider estates teams, setting high standards, building capability, flexibility, accountability and consistency.
- A clear communicator, able to translate complex estates issues into concise options, risks and recommendations.
- Calm and decisive under pressure, demonstrating strong judgement during escalated incidents, emergencies and high-risk situations.
- Commercially astute, able to secure value for money and hold contractors to account.
- Comfortable leading major capital programmes safely with minimal disruption to academy operations.
- Customer-focused and collaborative, balancing academy needs with Trust-wide consistency and compliance requirements.
- Flexible and mobile, with the ability to travel regularly between academies and geographical hubs, attending meetings, including out-of-hours work as required.
Director of Estates employer: Maltby Academy
As a leading Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and empowering work culture. Our commitment to professional development ensures that our employees, particularly in strategic roles like the Director of Estates, have ample opportunities for growth and advancement while contributing to meaningful educational outcomes. With a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency, our teams are supported by robust resources and a clear strategic direction, making this an ideal environment for those looking to make a significant impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Estates
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and estates sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust’s current estates strategy and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about their mission. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you’ve led successful estates programmes in the past. Use specific examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to drive operational improvement. We want to see your leadership skills shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the Trust’s vision for sustainable and efficient estate management.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Estates
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading estates programmes. We want to see how your skills align with our Trust’s Estates Strategy and your ability to drive operational improvement.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a strategic leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your experience in empowering teams. Share examples of how you've developed and led teams in the past, especially in multi-site organisations like ours.
Communicate Clearly:We’re looking for someone who can translate complex issues into clear recommendations. Use straightforward language in your application to show us you can communicate effectively, especially when it comes to compliance and risk management.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maltby Academy
✨Know Your Estates Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Trust’s Estates Strategy. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experience aligns with their goals, especially in areas like asset management and lifecycle planning.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Director of Estates, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven operational improvements in past roles. Highlight your ability to empower others and build capability within your teams.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating complex estates issues into simple, actionable insights. During the interview, focus on being concise and clear when discussing risks, options, and recommendations. This will show that you can effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with budget oversight and cost control. Prepare to share specific examples of how you've ensured value for money in previous projects, as financial stewardship is a key part of the role.
