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- Tasks: Lead a diverse estate, ensuring high-quality services and sustainability initiatives.
- Company: Join the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global sustainability while working in stunning environments.
- Qualifications: Degree in Building or Facilities Management and experience in Estates operations.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Lead a complex, nationally significant estate in one of the UK’s most inspiring environments. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is seeking to appoint a Senior Estates Manager at Wakehurst to provide strategic and operational leadership across a unique and diverse estate. This is a senior role with responsibility for delivering high-quality Estates services across planned and reactive maintenance, asset management, compliance, sustainability, and facilities management within a heritage and visitor-facing environment. Reporting to the Head of Estates Operations & Maintenance, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, compliant, and resilient operation of the Wakehurst site, supporting capital projects, historic assets, and long-term sustainability objectives. You will lead multidisciplinary teams and external partners, embedding a culture of excellence in service delivery, customer experience, and continuous improvement. As Senior Estates Manager, you will act as a key internal stakeholder, working closely with scientific, visitor operations, conservation, and capital development colleagues to ensure Estates services enable the organisation’s mission to protect plants and fungi for the benefit of people and the planet.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for all Estates services, including PPM, reactive maintenance, asset management, and hard and soft FM
- Ensure full compliance with health & safety legislation, statutory requirements, and best practice across a complex, mixed-use estate
- Lead, motivate, and develop in-house teams and manage contractor and supplier performance across multiple disciplines
- Support capital projects, sustainability initiatives, utilities management, and critical building systems
- Develop and implement robust maintenance and lifecycle strategies that support historic and heritage assets
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and deliver customer-focused, resilient Estates solutions
- Oversee Estates budgets, performance reporting, and continuous improvement activity
About You
You will bring significant experience leading Estates or Facilities Management operations within a complex environment, ideally across large or multi-disciplinary sites. You will have strong technical knowledge of building services and infrastructure, alongside a proven track record in contractor management, compliance, and operational leadership. You will demonstrate:
- Degree-level qualification in Building or Facilities Management, or equivalent professional experience
- Proven success managing medium to large Estates or maintenance operations
- Strong expertise in health & safety, statutory compliance, and contractor performance management
- Experience developing maintenance strategies and supporting historic or heritage buildings
- A collaborative, consultative leadership style with excellent stakeholder engagement skills
- Strategic operational thinking combined with hands-on delivery focus
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior Estates leadership role within a world-renowned organisation and UNESCO World Heritage context. You will contribute directly to RBG Kew’s global mission, working in a values-driven organisation that champions sustainability, inclusion, learning, and long-term impact. Alongside meaningful work, you will benefit from a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, flexible working, a competitive pension, wellbeing support, and access to the exceptional gardens at Kew and Wakehurst. The role is based at Wakehurst, with the option of regular home working subject to operational requirements.
Senior Estates Manager - Wakehurst employer: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW
Contact Detail:
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estates Manager - Wakehurst
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your leadership skills in Estates management.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. We recommend mentioning something specific from the interview to remind them of your conversation and reinforce your interest.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we often have exclusive opportunities listed there that you won’t find anywhere else. Let’s get you that Senior Estates Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estates Manager - Wakehurst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Senior Estates Manager role. Highlight your leadership in estates management, compliance, and sustainability to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Use your supporting statement to tell us why you’re passionate about this role at Wakehurst. Share examples of your past successes in managing complex estates and how they align with our mission to protect plants and fungi.
Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit: We love a team player! In your application, emphasise your experience working with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. Let us know how you’ve built strong relationships in previous roles to drive successful outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your CV and supporting statement, ensuring you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at RBG Kew.
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW
✨Know Your Estate Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of Wakehurst and its unique estate. Familiarise yourself with its history, current projects, and sustainability initiatives. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you connect your experience to their specific needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Senior Estates Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare examples that highlight your collaborative approach and how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Be ready to discuss how you motivate and develop your team while managing contractor performance.
✨Demonstrate Compliance Knowledge
Given the importance of health & safety and statutory compliance in this role, brush up on relevant legislation and best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you would approach it at Wakehurst.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders is key. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with various departments or external partners. Highlight your communication skills and how you ensure customer-focused solutions in your estates management.