Head of Estates

Job description

Job responsibilities

About the role

The Head of Estates plays a vital role in ensuring that our Hospice buildings, shops, vehicles and wider estate provide safe, welcoming and well-maintained environments where outstanding care and support can flourish.

Working across the Bostall Hill site, our retail network and all other Hospice properties, the post holder will lead the development and delivery of the Hospice Estates Strategy. They will oversee planned preventative maintenance, repairs and estates procurement, ensuring our buildings, machinery and equipment remain reliable, efficient and cost-effective.

The Head of Estates will make sure every site is fit for purpose, legally compliant and cared for to a high standard supporting the comfort, safety and wellbeing of patients, families, staff and volunteers. They will also take day-to-day responsibility for fire safety, security and health and safety procedures across the estate.

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Key Responsibilities

Estates Leadership

Develop and implement strategic plans for Estates and Site Services, including the Estates Strategy, long-term maintenance plan and service improvements.

Lead on capital building projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standard, working with external contractors as needed.

Ensure all sites provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers.

Promote and deliver environmental improvements through the estate, leading on the organisations Green Plan to reduce carbon impact and encourage sustainable practices.

Buildings and Site Services

Oversee buildings and grounds maintenance, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Manage the vehicle fleet, site security and estates-related contracts.

Support the statutory duty holder by undertaking responsibilities of the responsible person in line with relevant regulations (e.g. legionella, fire safety, asbestos).

Lead competitive tendering for estates and site services, ensuring value for money and high standards.

Manage expenditure within agreed budgets, maintaining efficiency and accountability.

Retail Estate Oversight

Maintenance & Compliance: Ensure all retail shops meet statutory building regulations, health and safety requirements, and charity policy, addressing issues in collaboration with the Head of Retail.

Repairs & Facilities Support: Oversee planned and reactive maintenance across the retail estate, liaising with contractors, landlords and shop managers as needed.

Projects & Sustainability: Lead or support property-related projects such as refurbishments, shop fit-outs or sustainability initiatives, ensuring works are delivered efficiently and with minimal disruption.

Lease Advice & Negotiations: Support the Head of Retail by advising on property aspects of shop acquisitions, relocations or closures, including lease terms and dilapidations.

Liaison & Representation: Act as estates point of contact for landlords, agents and contractors, ensuring clear communication and alignment with the Head of Retail on estates-related matters.

Working with Others

Collaborate with managers and teams across the Hospice to ensure estates and site services align with organisational strategy and priorities.

Work closely with the Director of Finance & Resources on annual budgeting for Estates and Site Services, including capital projects.

Contribute to major incident planning and represent the Hospice at relevant local estates forums.

Continuous Improvement

Actively seek feedback on Estates and Site Services from patients, families, staff and volunteers, using insights to improve standards and experiences.

Learn from complaints, compliments, risk assessments and incident reviews, embedding improvements into practice.

People Leadership

Line manage Estates staff and volunteers, supporting their wellbeing, performance and professional development.

Provide coaching, mentoring and training to colleagues, including fire warden training and estates-related learning.

Build a strong team spirit through regular communication and supportive leadership.

Corporate Leadership

Play an active role as part of the Hospice Leadership Team, contributing to governance and organisational development.

Ensure Estates and Site Services policies and procedures are up to date, effectively implemented and approved through appropriate governance channels.

Lead the organisations response to estates-related emergencies across Hospice buildings and grounds (including out of hours), coordinating support in line with the Business Continuity Policy.

Professional Development

Take responsibility for maintaining and developing professional knowledge and expertise, engaging in CPD, reflection and training opportunities.

This job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity and will be amended from time to time in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. It will then be reviewed in association with the jobholder.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of leading an Estates team of comparable size and scope, with responsibility for:
• Building management and maintenance
• On-site health and safety
• A strong track record of working within a large, complex organisation, with clear evidence of navigating statutory frameworks and multiple stakeholder needs.
• Experience of developing and implementing an Estates strategy and long-term infrastructure plans
• Successful delivery of capital and building projects
• Experience in staff leadership, including appraisals, coaching and supporting staff development.
• Strong knowledge of Health and Safety legislation across a multi-site organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage productive relationships with external contractors and service providers, ensuring high standards and value for money.
• Experience of financial management, including budget planning, monitoring and control.
• Experience of working within a healthcare environment, with an understanding of the specific challenges and sensitivities involved.

Desirable

• Experience of leading estates services in a healthcare setting or similarly regulated environment.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• A strategic and innovative thinker, able to develop creative solutions while ensuring continuity of services.
• A confident and supportive people leader, with the ability to motivate, hold to account, and bring out the best in others.
• Skilled in resolving workplace conflict in a fair and constructive way.
• Naturally collaborative, with a strong solution-focused approach.
• High levels of IT competence, with the ability to use and adapt to a range of software packages.
• Ability to learn from customer and stakeholder feedback, using insights to drive positive change and continuous improvement.
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise, balance competing demands and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and engage confidently with people at all levels, both internally and externally.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development, demonstrating commitment to learning and growth.
• Full, clean driving licence.

Desirable

• BIFM Level 6 qualification or NEBOSH Diploma.

Employer details

Employer name

Community Hospice

Address

Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice

185 Bostall Hill

London

SE2 0GB

Employer's website

https://communityhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)