At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic direction for estates, ensuring effective management and operational improvement.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to the wellbeing and education of young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and a comprehensive suite of wellbeing benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on educational environments while driving sustainability and efficiency.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in estates management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 62094 - 66284 € per year.
Location: Place Partnership Trust
Salary: Extended Leadership Range PO17 (£62,094 to £66,284 per annum)
Contract: Permanent
Contract type: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week
Start Date: As soon as possible
Job category/type: Education – Non-Teaching
Date posted: 20/05/2026
Job reference: REQ23057
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. They 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
- 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.
About Place Partnership
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care and education of young people. Place Partnership represents the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. Both organisations shared a clear ambition – to grow our families of schools, extend the impact of our work, and ensure more children, families and communities could benefit from high-quality education. We recognise that by coming together, we will create a larger organisation with greater capacity to deliver exceptional learning experiences, strengthen school improvement, and contribute more meaningfully to the wider education system. From 1 September 2026, we will comprise 12 academies, supporting children and young people from early years through to Post 16. We treat people with care and compassion, building belonging, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. We recognise that our people are our greatest strength, and as such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth.
Further Information
Visits are warmly welcomed and can be arranged. For further details regarding this opportunity, for an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact kparker@maltbylearningtrust.com.
Closing Date: Friday 5 June 2026 at 12 noon.
Interview Dates: 9 June to 12 June 2026.
Safeguarding
Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, further details of which can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
Inclusion
Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles. Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information.
Benefits
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- 24/7 GP access
- Cash Healthcare plan
- Staff Rewards Gateway
- Smart Tech
Head Office: Riverside House Main Street Rotherham S60 1AE
Director of Estates in Rotherham employer: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Place Partnership Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff, offering a comprehensive suite of benefits including a Cycle to Work Scheme and 24/7 GP access. With a strong focus on collaboration and inclusion, the Trust fosters a supportive work culture where employees are empowered to lead and innovate, making a meaningful impact on the education of young people across South and West Yorkshire.
Contact Detail:
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Estates in Rotherham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for the Director of Estates role. You never know who might have the inside scoop or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Place Partnership Trust thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led teams or projects successfully. Be ready to share how you’ve driven operational improvements and managed risks, as these are key for the Director of Estates role.
✨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 forward-thinking team at Place Partnership Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Estates in Rotherham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Director of Estates role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your track record in leading teams and driving operational improvements. Share specific examples of how you've empowered others and delivered successful estates strategies in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clear communication, so break down complex ideas into easy-to-understand points. This will help us see your thought process and decision-making skills.
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 this exciting opportunity with Place Partnership.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
✨Know Your Estates Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Trust’s Estates Strategy. Be prepared to discuss how your 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 previous 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.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your judgement under pressure. Think about past experiences where you had to make quick decisions during emergencies or high-risk situations, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
