At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the college's estates services for a safe and welcoming environment.
- Company: Middlesbrough College, committed to inclusivity and sustainability.
- Benefits: 36 days annual leave, free gym membership, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on campus sustainability and student experience.
- Qualifications: Degree in estates or facilities management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career progression and a focus on wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 50213 - 54329 £ per year.
The Head of Estates plays a vital leadership role in shaping how our campuses look, feel and operate every day. Working at both a strategic and practical level, you will lead high‑quality estates services that support the College’s ambitions and provide a safe, compliant and welcoming environment for all learners, staff and visitors.
You will oversee the full range of estates activities across our campuses, including planned and reactive maintenance, statutory compliance, health and safety, security, mechanical and electrical services, building fabric, grounds, and the effective use of estates systems. You will help manage and develop a large, diverse estate and ensure our facilities are well maintained, sustainable and fit for the future.
A key part of the role will be supporting the delivery of our Sustainability Strategy and Net Zero Action Plan. You will champion sustainable practices and drive improvements that contribute to our long‑term environmental goals.
As part of the Campus Services leadership team, you will collaborate closely with colleagues to deliver a safe, efficient and well‑run college environment where learners and staff can thrive.
Key Responsibilities- Contribute to the delivery of the College Strategic Plan and Estates Strategy
- Support the College’s Sustainability Strategy and Net Zero Action Plan
- Lead a positive culture of statutory compliance, safety, and security
- Lead planned and reactive maintenance across all campuses
- Ensure compliance across fire safety, asbestos, legionella, gas, electrical, lifting and pressure systems
- Oversee building fabric, mechanical and electrical services, and grounds maintenance
- Ensure estates systems and software are effectively used
- Provide leadership to estates maintenance and security teams
- Manage contractors, procurement and estates budgets (capital and revenue)
- Oversee access control, CCTV, alarms, key management and incident response
- Lead emergency planning and site‑related business continuity
- Degree or equivalent professional qualification in estates, facilities or building services.
- NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.
- Membership of a relevant professional body desirable.
- Strong knowledge of estates maintenance, statutory compliance and security operations.
- Sound understanding of UK health, safety and building compliance legislation.
- Experience of managing security services, logistics or operational support functions.
- Budget management, procurement and contractor control skills.
- Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- Substantial annual leave entitlement plus holiday purchase scheme.
- Health & wellbeing: free gym membership, 24/7 counselling for you and your family.
- Family‑friendly policies: flexible hours and a supportive work environment.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential support including counselling, legal and financial advice.
- Professional development: extensive training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities.
- Funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training, and paid volunteering days.
- Access to discounted hair and beauty treatments at our onsite salon.
- College benefit scheme – College Extras: up to 15% cashback at top retailers & restaurants, discounted gift cards for big brands.
- Home & tech upgrades via salary sacrifice.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Discounted onsite car parking.
Middlesbrough College is an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make recruitment decisions based on skills and experience. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively support applicants with disabilities.
SafeguardingMiddlesbrough College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff are expected to share this commitment. You will be required to complete thorough pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. All roles within the College carry safeguarding responsibilities, including promoting student welfare, reporting any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and modelling safe and appropriate conduct in line with College policies.
All posts at Middlesbrough College involve regulated activity and are therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, amended 2013 and 2020) mean that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. It is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.
As part of our shortlisting process, we will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates to identify any safeguarding or reputation‑related concerns (as required by KCSIE).
Right to WorkApplicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Recruitment ProcessApplications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date.
Head of Estates employer: Middlesbrough College Group
Contact Detail:
Middlesbrough College Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and estates sectors. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about opportunities at Middlesbrough College or similar institutions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the college's current projects and sustainability initiatives. Show us that you're not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to their goals and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. We want to hear about your experience with compliance and safety, so have those anecdotes at the ready.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at Middlesbrough College.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the Head of Estates role. We want to see how you can contribute to our sustainability goals and enhance our campus environment.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a key leader in our team, it's important to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past, especially in estates or facilities management.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Middlesbrough College Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of estates management, statutory compliance, and health and safety regulations. Familiarise yourself with the College's Sustainability Strategy and Net Zero Action Plan, as these will be key topics during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and overseeing maintenance operations. Think about how you've fostered a positive culture in previous roles and be ready to discuss specific outcomes.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as emergency planning or contractor management. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these scenarios to show you can think on your feet.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the College's future plans for its estates and how you can contribute to those goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the College is the right fit for you.