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Head of Estates

These are exciting times for the charity, and we have an excellent opportunity for a proactive, ambitious and professional individual with outstanding leadership and planning skills to lead the busy Estates Department into the future. 

Position: 1796 Head of Estates

Location: Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £60,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent 

Closing Date: Sunday 8 December 2024. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications.

The Role

As Head of Estates, you will be responsible for the strategy, operations, and compliance of the sanctuary’s estate – putting the welfare and safety of the donkeys, people and supporters at its heart. Sharing the charity’s vision and values, you will collaborate with the Farms and Ecology teams to support the Land Management approach, which benefits donkey welfare. 

You will work with the charity leadership team to support the development of a new estates and sustainability strategy, delivered through a planned programme of works that will future-proof the built estate across multiple sites in the most effective, efficient and sustainable way, through capital development, asset renewal and maintenance. 

Your main duties will include:

• Ownership of, and responsibility for, the Estates operational strategies and prioritisation of activities

• Leadership and accountability for property, capital development, maintenance and improvements and sustainability

• Ensuring that the estate is developed and managed in a sustainable manner to achieve continual improvement in environmental performance.

• Developing and supporting the Estates Teams to ensure that all understand their contribution to the organisation’s strategic objectives. 

• Setting and maintaining clear performance standards and targets, 

• Inspiring and leading the Estates staff and managers.

• Implementing and progressing reporting mechanisms.

• Regularly reviewing and adjusting (where required) the Estates budget, ensuring it is accurately forecasted and informed by latest information and data. 

• Ensuring that all contracted work is carried out in the most cost-effective manner, on time and to the right quality and governance requirements.

About You

You will be a professionally qualified member of RICS or equivalent with a proven track record of senior management experience in large organisation estates.

You will have experience of:

• Delivering and reporting within key regulatory frameworks of contracts and legislation including procurement, health and safety, planning, property and construction and other relevant statutory regulations. 

• Successfully managing complex large-scale projects, and able to analyse complex problems and balance conflicting priorities to devise solutions and present them in a coherent and persuasive manner.

• Achieving performance targets and implement forward thinking solutions within financial constraints with a sound underpinning of effective financial control and management controls.

If you feel you have the skills and experience to fulfil this varied, rewarding and vital role, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please complete the on-line application form, which should include your uploaded curriculum vitae

Benefits include:

• Competitive pension

• Life assurance

• 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service

• Wellbeing team

• Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes

• Long service awards

• Healthshield plan 

• Free parking

• Subsidised restaurant and shop

About the Organisation

The sanctuary is one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.

“The sanctuary is a positive place to work with friendly staff and a wonderful charity. With amazing work throughout the world, once you join you never want to leave!”

The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

You may also have experience in areas such as Estates, Estate, Estates Manager, Estate Mange, Head of Estates, Head of Estate, Estates Director, Estate Director, Site Manager, Property Manager, Buildings Manager, Project Manager, Buildings Project Manage, Estates Project Manager, Site Project Manager. 

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation