At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic management and planning of BBSRC estates, ensuring compliance and effective investment.
- Company: Join UKRI, a leader in research and innovation with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, a defined benefit pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on estate management while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: HNC/HND in estates or engineering, with strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 58589 - 58589 £ per year.
Salary: £58,589 Per Annum
Band: UKRI Band F
Contract: Open-ended
Hours: Full Time
Location: Polaris House, Swindon.
Reports to: Associate Director of BBSRC Estates
Travel Required: Yes
Closing Date: 23:59 on Monday 29th June 2026
About the role
Lead and oversee the strategic management, planning, and assurance of the BBSRC estate. Ensure asset protection, legal compliance, effective investment, and consistent, high quality estate management across BBSRC-supported Institutes and UKRI-owned assets.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Estate Leadership
- Develop and deliver the BBSRC Estates Strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
- Provide strategic assurance for capital investment programmes and the BBSRC Estates Panel.
- Lead estate-related risk management and provide expert guidance on statutory, safety, sustainability, and environmental requirements.
- Institute Oversight & Assurance
- Provide strategic direction to BBSRC Institutes in producing long-term asset management plans.
- Oversee annual and multi-year planned maintenance programmes to protect UKRI freehold asset value.
- Monitor Institute KPIs, compliance, and estate performance, reporting regularly to senior stakeholders.
- Compliance, Sustainability & Security
- Ensure legal compliance across the estate, including owner surveys, asbestos, legionella, and wider statutory duties.
- Embed sustainability into estate planning and represent BBSRC at UKRI risk, sustainability, and security forums.
- Provide physical security guidance and coordinate UKRI security returns.
- Estate Operations & Professional Services
- Manage contracts, frameworks, and consultants, including valuations, audits, and specialist services.
- Lead periodic condition surveys, maintain property datasets, and support UKRI reporting requirements.
- Provide expert estates advice on planning, building control, health and safety, and procurement.
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Build strong working relationships across BBSRC, UKRI, and Institute estate teams.
- Chair twice-yearly estate leader meetings and ensure actions are progressed.
- Work with the Head of Real Estate to provide lease advice and support lease creation or renewal.
- Capital Investment Programme
- Support the Estates Investment Panel by managing business case calls, reviewing submissions, and monitoring approved capital projects.
- Approve Institute payment requests against approved business cases.
- Representation & Professional Development
- Represent BBSRC senior leaders at internal and external meetings.
- Maintain professional competence and promote continuous development across estate teams.
Person Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
- Essential
- HNC/HND in estates, building, or engineering. (S)
- Professional membership (RICS, CIOB, IWFM, CIBSE, APM, or equivalent). (S)
- Strong communication, time management, and the ability to manage ambiguity. (S/I)
- Effective stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills. (S/I)
- Clear, concise report writing. (S/I)
- Ability to lead, prioritise, and empower others across multiple concurrent tasks. (S/I)
- Solid understanding of estates compliance, health & safety, and risk management. (S/I)
- Experience producing technical specifications and tender documentation. (S/I)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and estates management IT systems. (S)
- Willingness to travel across the UK, including overnight stays. (S/I)
- Commitment to professional development. (I)
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
- Flexible working options
- Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
Head of BBSRC Estates employer: UKRI
As the Head of BBSRC Estates at UK Research and Innovation, you will join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises employee development and well-being. Located in Swindon, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that offers flexible working options, an outstanding pension scheme, and generous annual leave, all while contributing to impactful estate management strategies that align with sustainability and compliance goals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of BBSRC Estates
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. 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 values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that highlight your skills in estate management and compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of BBSRC Estates
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the Head of BBSRC Estates role. We want to see how you can lead and manage estates effectively!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and report writing skills. These are essential for this position, so let us know how you've used them in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the BBSRC Estates Strategy and how it aligns with corporate objectives. Brush up on your knowledge of estates compliance, health and safety, and risk management, as these will be key topics during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead and empower teams across multiple tasks. Think about times when you've successfully managed projects or initiatives, especially in estate management or related fields.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Be ready to discuss your experience in stakeholder engagement and negotiation. Highlight specific instances where you've built strong relationships or resolved conflicts, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice clear and concise report writing, as this will likely come up in the interview. You might be asked to summarise complex information, so being able to articulate your thoughts effectively is essential.
