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- Tasks: Lead the strategic development and management of a diverse property portfolio.
- Company: Join UKAEA, a leader in fusion energy and sustainable innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality in STEM.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on clean energy while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in property management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 106000 - 106000 £ per year.
Company Description
Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.
We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Director of Estates to lead the strategic development and management of a diverse property portfolio. With a strong background in estates and development management and relevant professional accreditation (e.g. RICS), you will bring proven leadership, strategic vision, and excellent negotiation skills. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality estate services, building effective stakeholder relationships, and ensuring safe, efficient environments that deliver strong value for public investment.
Core responsibilities
- Lead development and delivery of UKAEA’s estates strategy, aligned to funded plans and sustainability objectives.
- Manage and optimise the commercial property portfolio, maximising value and revenue.
- Lead development of key sites, including Culham and West Burton campuses, and support major capital programmes.
- Oversee all property, leasing, and tenant management, including attracting new occupiers and marketing assets.
- Build and lead an integrated estates and facilities function, including team integration and performance.
- Manage strategic relationships with tenants, contractors, advisors, partners, JVs, and subsidiaries (including UKIFS).
- Oversee contractors and outsourced services across property, planning, and facilities management.
- Support UKAEA’s role in the Harwell Campus Joint Venture and delivery of services to UKIFS.
- Develop and implement service delivery models, balancing in-house and outsourced provision.
- Ensure full regulatory compliance and alignment with government estates standards.
- Drive efficiency, innovation, and cost optimisation across the estate.
- Promote Culham as a leading international hub for science, technology, and business.
Qualifications
- Extensive experience in property and development management.
- Professionally accredited (e.g. RICS or equivalent).
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation skills.
- Proven leadership and strategic direction-setting capability.
- Track record of stakeholder engagement, team leadership, and service delivery.
- Sound judgement in balancing safe, effective environments with value for public money.
Additional Information
A full list of our benefits can be found here but highlights include:
- Up to £106,000 base salary
- 15% corporate performance bonus
- Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution
- 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure, 2.5 privilege days and 8 Bank Holidays
- Flexible and hybrid working options
UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.
Group Director of Estates employer: UK Atomic Energy Authority
Contact Detail:
UK Atomic Energy Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Director of Estates
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their mission and values, especially around sustainability and innovation. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Group Director of Estates, you'll need to demonstrate strong commercial acumen. Role-play potential scenarios with friends or mentors to build your confidence in discussing salary and benefits.
✨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 our mission for clean energy and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Director of Estates
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Group Director of Estates role. Highlight your experience in property and development management, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills and commercial acumen. We want to see how you can bring value to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in estates management and how they align with our goals at UKAEA. Let’s see your personality come through!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills: In your application, make sure to highlight your experience in building strategic relationships. We’re looking for someone who can effectively engage with tenants, contractors, and partners. Share stories that demonstrate your negotiation skills and ability to deliver results.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Atomic Energy Authority
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Group Director of Estates and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with UKAEA's mission and recent projects, especially those related to sustainability and property management.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your extensive experience in property and development management. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate your leadership skills, strategic vision, and successful negotiation outcomes. This will help you stand out as a strong candidate.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since stakeholder engagement is key for this role, think about how you can illustrate your ability to build effective relationships. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with tenants, contractors, and partners in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Vision
Articulate your strategic vision for managing and optimising a commercial property portfolio. Discuss how you would balance efficiency, innovation, and cost optimisation while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This shows you're not just a fit for the role but also have forward-thinking ideas.