Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape estates strategy and influence global stewardship of historic sites.
- Company: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, dedicated to honouring those who served in the World Wars.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on heritage preservation across diverse cultures and environments.
- Qualifications: Senior estates management experience with a background in surveying or construction.
- Other info: Regular travel across Europe and opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 72000 £ per year.
This is an opportunity to influence how estates are managed across multiple regions, cultures and environments. You’ll be working for an organisation with a purpose unlike any other. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission honours and cares for those who died in the World Wars, ensuring they are never forgotten. That responsibility spans 23,000+ sites worldwide. For you, that means working at the intersection of history, global scale and long-term impact, shaping how these environments are preserved for generations.
You’ll take responsibility for how cemeteries and memorials across the world are maintained and protected. This isn’t just estates management. It’s stewardship on a global scale. You’ll be visible in the regions, particularly across Northern Europe, walking sites, meeting teams and understanding how things really work. This role isn’t about control, it’s about influence, earned through credibility and leadership.
You’ll sit at the heart of a Centre of Excellence model, setting policy, defining standards and shaping delivery across five regions. You won’t run everything day-to-day, but when decisions matter, you’ll be the person people look to. There’s already strong internal capability, including experienced regional leaders, giving you a platform to influence globally from day one.
So what does that mean for you? You’ll shape estates strategy across a complex international portfolio and influence a long-term capital programme through to 2039, balancing heritage with modern priorities like Net Zero. At senior level, you’ll have real visibility, influence and a voice in how the organisation evolves, with scope to grow your remit over time.
No two weeks will look the same. You might be aligning investment priorities across continents, solving challenges on-site, or bringing together stakeholders with very different perspectives.
Alongside this, there’s a strong package including 25 days’ leave rising to 30, additional Christmas closure, flexible working, up to 10% pension, life assurance, and wellbeing and travel schemes.
This role will suit you if you’ve operated at senior estates level and are comfortable influencing without direct control. You’ll bring a strong technical foundation in surveying, capital projects or construction and ideally some exposure to heritage or conservation. You’re a credible, visible leader who builds trust and enjoys working across different cultures and stakeholders.
It won’t suit everyone. There’s regular travel across Europe and occasional international trips. But if you’re looking for something with real meaning, scale and long-term impact, there are very few roles like this.
Interested? Let’s have a conversation. You don’t need a perfectly polished CV to start the process, just get in touch in confidence.
Director of Estates in Reading employer: Sielo Search
Contact Detail:
Sielo Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Estates in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to estates management or heritage conservation. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for legacy and stewardship. When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, share your thoughts on how you can influence estates management on a global scale. Make it personal!
✨Tip Number 3
Be visible! If you can, attend industry events or seminars related to estates management. This not only boosts your knowledge but also puts you in front of key players who might be looking for someone just like you.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining an organisation with such a meaningful mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Estates in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for estates management and how it connects to our mission at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Director of Estates. Highlight your experience in managing estates, influencing stakeholders, and any work you've done with heritage or conservation. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: This role is all about influence rather than control. Use your application to demonstrate how you've successfully led teams and projects in the past. Share examples that show your ability to build trust and work across different cultures.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we appreciate detail, clarity is key! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. We want to quickly understand your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role, so avoid unnecessary jargon.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sielo Search
✨Understand the Legacy
Before your interview, take some time to really grasp the mission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Familiarise yourself with their history and the significance of their work. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Director of Estates, you'll need to influence without direct control. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects through collaboration and credibility. Be ready to discuss how you build trust across different cultures and stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Global Challenges
Given the international scope of this role, think about potential challenges you might face when managing estates across various regions. Prepare to discuss how you would approach these challenges, balancing heritage with modern priorities like Net Zero. This shows you're forward-thinking and aware of current issues.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the organisation's goals. For instance, ask about the current strategies in place for maintaining sites or how they envision the evolution of estates management over the next few years.