Head of Estates in England

This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for the delivery of Hard FM planned and reactive maintenance services within a complex PFI acute hospital environment. The role holds end-to-end responsibility for financial, operational and people performance, ensuring services are delivered safely, compliantly and in line with contractual, regulatory and Serco internal standards. You’ll lead the strategic development and continuous improvement of the electrical, mechanical and fabric teams, balancing safety, quality and value for money while supporting the long‑term contract strategy. A key focus of the role is leading the PFI contract handback - Centre of Best Practice site condition audit process, ensuring findings are managed effectively through the CAFM system and delivered in line with contractual obligations. In the absence of the Contract Director, the role deputises for all Estates‑related matters across the contract.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong, effective relationships with the Trust, SPV (THC), Serco colleagues and wider stakeholders, acting as a senior, credible point of contact and ensuring professional, timely and high‑quality responses to formal communications.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the electrical, mechanical and fabric teams, driving continuous improvement, service transformation and a strong "One Team" culture across Hard and Soft FM services.
• Ensure robust governance and compliance with Health & Safety legislation, HTMs, HBNs, statutory requirements and the Serco Management System, acting as a Subject Matter Expert and fulfilling the role of Authorised Person for relevant high‑risk systems.
• Analyse operational and financial performance to inform decision‑making, manage complex operational risks and maintain service continuity within a live hospital environment.
• Hold full financial accountability for Hard FM services, including budget preparation, control and delivery in excess of £15m revenue per annum, identifying efficiencies, managing risk and supporting contract growth, rebids and service variations.
• Lead the PFI contract handback and Centre of Best Practice site condition audit process, ensuring findings are managed through the CAFM system and delivered in line with contractual obligations.
• Develop, mentor and succession‑plan team members, ensuring high levels of engagement, competence and performance, and managing people matters in line with Serco policies and procedures.
• Act as a key member of the Contract Leadership Team, contributing to contract strategy, innovation and best‑practice sharing, and deputising for the Contract Director on Estates‑related matters when required.
• Participate in the on‑call rota as senior escalation point, including out‑of‑hours and weekend responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification, or substantial demonstrable experience.
• IOSH Managing Safely (or higher) Health & Safety qualification.

Skills & Knowledge

• Professional membership of a recognised institution (e.g. IHEEM, IET, RICS, CIBSE) and registration (or working towards) with the Engineering Council or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of complex building services engineering systems.
• Working knowledge of HTMs, HBNs and healthcare Codes of Practice.
• Experience using AutoCAD.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management capability.
• Commercial awareness with a continuous improvement mindset.

Experience

• Senior leadership experience in complex Hard FM environments, ideally within acute healthcare and PFI contracts.
• Management of large, diverse teams (30+ staff).
• Financial management of budgets exceeding £15m.
• Leading change in demanding, highly regulated environments.

Additional Information

• Performance measured against financial, operational and people KPIs.
• Role requires 90% on‑site presence within a live hospital environment.
• Participation in an on‑call rota as senior escalation point.
• Ability to be appointed as an Authorised Person for high‑risk systems.

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people. At Serco, you’ll play a critical role in delivering safe, reliable and high‑quality healthcare infrastructure that supports patient care every day. You’ll be trusted to lead, empowered to improve and supported by a values‑driven organisation committed to long‑term partnership and excellence.