Head of Facilities & Estates in Southampton

Head of Facilities & Estates in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the management and stewardship of a unique estate in Winchester.
  • Company: Historic charitable organisation focused on heritage and community impact.
  • Benefits: Direct influence at executive level and opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
  • Why this job: Combine strategic leadership with hands-on management in a meaningful role.
  • Qualifications: Experience in estates management, health & safety compliance, and team leadership.
  • Other info: Confidential application process with further details for shortlisted candidates.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Stewardship. Heritage. Impact. We are seeking an exceptional Head of Facilities & Estates to take custodianship of a unique and irreplaceable estate within Winchester city centre. This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership, technical expertise and purpose-driven work.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the senior leader, you will lead the day-to-day management and long-term stewardship of a complex estate. You’ll be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safety, compliance, sustainability and asset performance, while balancing the sensitivities of historic buildings with modern living requirements. You will lead a dedicated in-house maintenance team and manage a trusted network of external contractors, surveyors and specialists ensuring a safe, well-maintained and welcoming estate, and that the assets are protected and enhanced for the future. This role blends strategic vision with hands-on leadership, offering real autonomy, influence at board level, and the chance to shape a 10-30 year estates strategy.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

  • Strategic Estates & Asset Management: Developing and delivering a long-term estates strategy, overseeing capital projects, maintaining a robust asset register, and advising Trustees and senior leadership on asset performance, risk and investment priorities.
  • Operational Facilities Leadership: Ensuring the smooth operation, repair and maintenance of all properties, from planned preventative maintenance to reactive works, inspections and improvements always with sensitivity to heritage and conservation requirements.
  • Health, Safety & Compliance: Acting as the organisation's Health & Safety lead for the estate, ensuring full compliance across fire safety, asbestos, water hygiene, gas and electrical safety, accessibility and housing standards.
  • Sustainability & Environmental Performance: Leading energy efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives, improving EPC performance, and embedding sustainability into long-term estate planning.
  • Leadership & Team Development: Managing and developing the in-house maintenance team, fostering a professional, resident-focused culture built on safety, pride and accountability.
  • Financial & Contractor Management: Controlling budgets, forecasting expenditure, leading procurement and tendering processes, and ensuring excellent value for money without compromising quality or safety.
  • Governance & Stakeholder Engagement: Preparing reports for the CEO, Committees and Trustees, managing risk, handling property-related complaints, and contributing to the wider strategic direction of the charity.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll be an experienced estates or facilities professional with a strong grasp of UK landlord and property compliance, ideally gained within housing, heritage, social landlord or complex estate environments. You bring:

  • Proven leadership experience managing teams and contractors
  • Deep knowledge of health & safety and statutory compliance
  • Confidence managing budgets, capital projects and long-term plans
  • The judgement to balance heritage preservation with modern standards
  • A collaborative, calm and authoritative leadership style
  • Experience with listed buildings, sustainability initiatives, or working within a charitable or purpose-led organisation will be highly valued.

Above all, you’ll bring pride in stewardship, care for people, and a genuine motivation to work in an organisation where your expertise directly supports a meaningful social mission.

Why This Role Stands Out

  • A rare senior estates role within a historic charitable setting
  • Direct influence at executive and trustee level
  • A portfolio unlike any other heritage, community and investment combined
  • The chance to leave a tangible, lasting legacy in one city.

This appointment is being handled on a strictly confidential basis. Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

Head of Facilities & Estates in Southampton employer: Maxwell Stephens Ltd

As an employer, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of stewardship and impact, where your expertise in facilities and estates management will directly contribute to preserving our unique heritage in the heart of Winchester. We offer a collaborative work environment that values professional development, providing opportunities for leadership growth while ensuring a strong commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Join us to make a meaningful difference in a role that combines strategic vision with hands-on leadership, all within a supportive and purpose-driven organisation.
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Contact Detail:

Maxwell Stephens Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Facilities & Estates in Southampton

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the facilities and estates sector, especially those who have experience with heritage properties. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've successfully managed teams and budgets. Use specific examples that highlight your leadership skills and knowledge of compliance.

✨Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to organisations you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in contributing to their mission. A well-timed email can make all the difference!

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation’s values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in areas like sustainability and heritage preservation. We want to see your passion for stewardship!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Facilities & Estates in Southampton

Strategic Leadership
Technical Expertise
Estate Management
Health & Safety Compliance
Sustainability Initiatives
Team Development
Budget Management
Contractor Management
Asset Performance Analysis
Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Heritage Preservation
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Stewardship: When writing your application, let your passion for heritage and stewardship shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission and how you can contribute to the unique estate in Winchester.

Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to showcase your experience in facilities management and compliance. We’re looking for someone who has a strong grasp of UK property regulations and can balance heritage preservation with modern needs, so don’t hold back on those details!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Remember, clarity is key in demonstrating your strategic vision and hands-on leadership style.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Maxwell Stephens Ltd

✨Know Your Heritage

Familiarise yourself with the history and significance of the estate you'll be managing. Understanding its heritage will not only show your commitment but also help you articulate how you plan to balance preservation with modern needs during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and contractors. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a culture of safety and accountability in previous roles, as this aligns perfectly with the expectations for this position.

✨Master Compliance Knowledge

Brush up on UK landlord and property compliance regulations, particularly those related to health and safety. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will demonstrate your expertise and readiness to take on the responsibilities of the role.

✨Discuss Sustainability Initiatives

Be prepared to share your thoughts on sustainability and environmental performance. Highlight any past initiatives you've led or been part of, and how you envision embedding these principles into the long-term estate strategy.

Head of Facilities & Estates in Southampton
Maxwell Stephens Ltd
Location: Southampton
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