At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead property strategy and manage a diverse portfolio to create safe, high-quality homes.
- Company: Join The Wilf Ward Family Trust, dedicated to enhancing lives through innovative social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 33 days holiday, flexible working, and clear career pathways.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team focused on equality and a brighter future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives while driving sustainability and growth in estates.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing complex property portfolios and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Lead our property strategy. Shape homes that help people live extraordinary lives. The Wilf Ward Family Trust is seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Estates to lead the strategic and operational management of our diverse property portfolio, ensuring the people we support have safe, high-quality, compliant and person-centred homes. You will oversee more than 70 properties across our supported living and care portfolio, working closely with housing associations, private landlords, registered providers and internal stakeholders to deliver an outstanding estate that supports people with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs.
This is a unique opportunity for an estates professional who wants to combine commercial expertise, strategic leadership and social impact.
About the Role
As Head of Estates, you will lead the development and delivery of our Estates Strategy, ensuring our properties remain safe, sustainable, compliant and fit for the future. You'll oversee everything from asset management and planned maintenance through to property acquisitions, lease negotiations, compliance and environmental improvements. You'll be responsible for delivering a significant long-term investment programme, including a £4.9 million Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) strategy, while driving improvements in energy efficiency, asset performance and customer satisfaction. Most importantly, you'll ensure the voices of the people we support are at the heart of every property decision, creating homes that enable independence, dignity and choice.
About You
- We're looking for a highly motivated estates leader with a strong track record of managing complex property portfolios within social housing, supported living, healthcare, care or related environments.
- A Level 5 Housing qualification or equivalent qualification.
- Extensive experience managing multi-site properties and estates portfolios.
- Proven expertise in planned maintenance, capital investment programmes and asset management.
- Strong knowledge of contracts, leases, landlord relationships and service agreements.
- Experience producing performance, compliance and financial reports for senior leaders and Boards.
- Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
- Strong financial acumen, budget management and commercial awareness.
- Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel and reporting systems such as Power BI.
- A full UK driving licence and ability to travel regularly across our services.
Desirable Experience
- Membership of CIH, RICS, IWFM or a similar professional body.
- Knowledge of Social Housing standards or CQC's Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture guidance.
- Experience of co-production and tenant engagement.
- CAFM or digital property management systems experience.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening call. Successful candidates will then be invited to interview, which is scheduled for 10th September 2026. Please ensure you are available on this date before submitting your application.
Why Join Us?
At The Wilf Ward Family Trust, our estates are far more than buildings—they are people's homes. This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of the people we support while leading an ambitious programme of investment, sustainability and growth. If you're an experienced property leader who thrives on strategic thinking, operational excellence and delivering meaningful social impact, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help create homes where people can truly live extraordinary lives.
About Us
Founded in 1986, The Wilf Ward Family Trust is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities. We empower them to lead fulfilling lives and embrace innovation to stay at the forefront of social care. Join us on our journey towards equality and a brighter future.
The Benefits
- Clear career pathways
- Up to 33 days holiday
- Pension scheme
- Recognised qualifications
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
- Rewards website and Blue Light Scheme
- Flexible working
Head of Estates in York employer: The Wilf Ward Family Trust
The Wilf Ward Family Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs. Located in the welcoming community of Selby, we offer a supportive work culture, comprehensive training, and opportunities for personal growth, ensuring that our employees feel valued and empowered in their roles. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that fosters independence and enriches lives.
Contact Details:
The Wilf Ward Family Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates in York
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like The Wilf Ward Family Trust.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like The Wilf Ward Family Trust? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit The Wilf Ward Family Trust's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Head of Estates role at The Wilf Ward Family Trust, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Wilf Ward Family Trust
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where The Wilf Ward Family Trust operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to The Wilf Ward Family Trust. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at The Wilf Ward Family Trust.
