Director of Estates

Wiltshire College & University Centre; Trowbridge; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 64,000

Job description

Location Trowbridge - Flexible Working (across all four main campus locations)

This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy that will close in 19 days at 23:59 BST.

The Vacancy

Salary: £57,856 - £63,060 per annum (Director Grade 1-3) (Dependant on skills, qualifications & experience)

Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Close Date: 23rd April 2025

Interview Date: 1st May 2025

Wiltshire College & University Centre has an exciting new opportunity for a Director of Estates to join their team.

About Us:

Wiltshire College & University Centre plays a vital role in Wiltshire’s economy, inspiring people to develop the skills they need to achieve. Our four main campuses are learning hubs in their communities, and we aspire to be an outstanding, financially robust and commercially agile provider, achieving our clear social mission on behalf of learners and employers across Wiltshire and beyond.

Director of Estates – The Role:
The Director of Estates is a new role which will lead the Estates and Services team in ensuring that the college’s estate is well-maintained, future-proofed, and aligned with curriculum and operational needs.

You will be responsible for driving continuous improvements in sustainability, health and safety, and operational performance, while also overseeing capital projects and managing external relationships. Your leadership will ensure that the college’s estate continues to meet the evolving demands of both students and staff.

Director of Estates - Key Responsibilities:
In this role, you will manage a diverse team across multiple college campuses, ensuring high standards in the upkeep and development of our estate. You will:

• Lead and manage the Estates and Services team, ensuring the development and implementation of effective estate management plans.
• Oversee the implementation of the Property Strategy, ensuring that the estate is fit for purpose and meets the needs of both students and staff.
• Develop and implement environmental strategies aimed at reducing the college’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainability.
• Ensure health and safety standards are maintained, with a focus on compliance across all college sites.
• Manage and oversee capital projects, including refurbishments and new builds, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Foster effective relationships with external partners, contractors, and local communities, promoting the college’s goals and objectives.

Director of Estates - You:

We are looking for a candidate with a proven track record of leading in a multi-site environment, ideally within the education sector. You should have experience of managing capital projects and implementing property strategies, with a strong understanding of health and safety, sustainability, and contractor management. Your ability to lead and develop a team, while maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, will be critical to your success.

You will need to be proactive and solution-focused, with excellent communication and reporting skills. Your ability to work collaboratively across departments and ensure that the estate meets the college’s educational and operational needs will be a key aspect of your role.

Essential Qualifications

• Possession of Management Qualification at minimum Level 4 or to be able to demonstrate equivalent leadership, knowledge and experience.
• To hold, be willing to work towards a relevant professional qualification at level 6 or to be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience.
• To hold Literacy and Numeracy at Level 2 (GCSE A-C).

If you are a strategic thinker with the leadership skills to drive continuous improvement and maintain the highest standards in estates management, we would love to hear from you.

Director of Estates – Benefits:

• 35 days annual leave for Director Staff plus bank holidays and additional closure days over the Christmas period
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Discounts with a wide variety of retailers
• Free onsite car parking