Yolk Recruitment is partnering exclusively with Coleg y Cymoedd to recruit a Head of Estates, a key leadership appointment with the opportunity to influence how one of South Wales' largest further education estates is managed and developed.
Coleg y Cymoedd is looking for an experienced estates professional who can combine strong operational knowledge with the ability to think longer term. The College wants to move further away from a historically reactive approach to maintenance, developing more structured planned preventative maintenance, stronger asset management and better use of estates data.
Operating across Nantgarw, Ystrad Mynach, Llwynypia and Aberdare, you'll be working with a varied estate, from the modern Aberdare campus, opened following a £28m investment, through to larger and more established sites requiring ongoing maintenance and investment.
The opportunity
Initially, the position will have a relatively even balance between operational and strategic responsibilities. As the estates function develops, the intention is for the role to become increasingly strategic.
You'll have the opportunity to:
- Develop and embed a more structured Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) approach across the estate.
- Improve the College's use of Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) systems and the quality of its asset information.
- Develop longer-term estate and asset management planning.
- Lead estates activity across a complex multi-site environment.
- Drive greater consistency in standards and ways of working across the four campuses.
- Manage estates budgets, contractors and suppliers.
- Contribute to procurement and investment decisions.
- Oversee and support capital projects and future estates investment.
- Work collaboratively across the College to ensure the estate continues to support staff, learners and the wider organisation.
There is also a significant people element to the role. The estates function has evolved through previous college mergers, creating different practices and established ways of working across campuses. The successful person will need to bring people with them rather than simply impose change.
Who are we looking for?
- Experienced estates and facilities professionals who have operated across a large, complex or multi-site property portfolio.
- Degree-level qualification (or equivalent professional experience) in a relevant discipline such as estates and facilities management, building services, surveying, or construction.
- Recognised professional qualification in facilities or estates management (e.g. IWFM Level 5 or above, RICS, BIFM, CIBSE, MCIOB).
- IOSH Managing Safely as a minimum; NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.
- Demonstrable experience of planning, delivering and monitoring planned preventative maintenance and reactive maintenance programmes across multiple buildings.
- Experience of using CAFM systems and improving estates data.
- Experience of budget management.
- Track record of contractor and supplier management.
- Proven experience of managing statutory compliance, including fire safety, asbestos, legionella/ water hygiene, gas, electrical, lift and pressure systems, and CDM.
- Experience of leading teams through change.
We're looking for someone genuine, honest and credible who communicates well, builds relationships and can challenge constructively when things need to change.
You'll need to be comfortable working with long-serving teams, balancing a supportive approach with accountability, and bringing different groups of people together around consistent standards and priorities.
Benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave - 37 bookable days, plus bank holidays
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Salary sacrifice vehicle scheme.
- Pool vehicle available for use if preferred.
- 55p per mile mileage allowance for travel between campuses in your own vehicle.
- Employee wellbeing initiatives.
Closing Date: 23:59 Sunday, 8 November 2026
Interview Date: Friday, 20 November 2026
Coleg y Cymoedd is proud to be part of the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. If you have a disability and meet all the essential criteria in the person specification, you'll be guaranteed an interview. Please notify Hannah at Yolk Recruitment if this applies to you. We're committed to an inclusive recruitment process and will provide reasonable adjustments if needed.
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Head of Estates in Cardiff employer: Yolk Recruitment Ltd
Valleys to Coast is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for a Buying Manager to shape the procurement function in a growing organisation dedicated to community welfare. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, flexible working arrangements, and generous leave policies, the company fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and social value. Located in Wales, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact but also provides access to competitive benefits, including a subsidised gym membership and a comprehensive healthcare cash plan.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates in Cardiff
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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!
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How to prepare for a job interview at Yolk Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Market Trends
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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.
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In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Yolk Recruitment Ltd. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
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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 Yolk Recruitment Ltd.
