Head of Estates and Gardens

The Head of Estates will provide strategic and operational leadership for the management of a large listed building and its associated grounds. This role includes overseeing a multiyear £5 million renovation project, ensuring its successful delivery on time and within budget. The role also involves leading the Estates team responsible for the maintenance of the building and the Gardens team managing the surrounding grounds, ensuring both are preserved and maintained to the highest standards. This position is integral to the charity Flint House Police Rehabilitation, aligning with its mission and values.
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Key Responsibilities:
1. Renovation Project Management:
• Lead the £5 million renovation project on Flint House (large listed building – 200 rooms) ensuring it is delivered on time, within budget, and to the agreed specifications.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Liaise with architects, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with listed building regulations and standards.
• Monitor and report on project progress, addressing any risks or issues promptly.
• Lead on fostering a collaborative team approach to project delivery with in-house colleagues and external consultants/contractors/suppliers.
• Lead on procuring and managing external consultant teams in liaison with senior leadership.
• Provide buildings technical expertise throughout the lifetime of the project to ensure works are carried out to the highest conservation standards, achieving Flint House’s commitment to quality.
• Liaise with conservation experts to develop a strategic Philosophy of Repair for the ongoing maintenance of Flint House.
• Ensure project proposals meet environmental sustainability and accessibility objectives while considering ongoing maintenance requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of site-specific construction health and safety, ensuring CDM regulations are incorporated throughout the project lifecycle.

2. Estates Management:
• Oversee the maintenance and preservation of the listed building, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement maintenance schedules and improvement plans for the building.
• Ensure the effective management of utilities, contracts and other operational aspects of the estate.
• With team support, lead and manage Health and Safety responsibility for Flint House
3. Grounds Management:
• Lead the Gardens team in the care and management of the associated grounds, ensuring they are maintained to a high standard.
• Develop and implement landscape management plans, including planting, conservation, and seasonal works.
• Ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly practices are adopted across the grounds.
4. Team Leadership:
• Provide leadership, support, and development opportunities for the Estates and Gardens team a team of 6.
• Foster a culture of excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective communication across teams and with other stakeholders.
• Support the professional development of team members through objective setting, regular reviews, and training opportunities.
• Ensure consistency in conservation philosophy and standards across the team.
5. Financial and Resource Management:
• Manage the budget for the renovation project and ongoing estates operations.
• Ensure robust financial controls and cost management.
• Identify and secure additional funding or grants where appropriate, working closely with the Fundraising team on applications and proposals.
6. Stakeholder Engagement:
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, including conservation bodies, local authorities, and funding organisations.
• Act as the primary point of contact for estate-related matters.
• Work closely with Flint House’s CFO, fundraising and engagement teams to support funding applications and public engagement initiatives related to the renovation project.
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Person Specification:
Essential Skills and Experience:
• Proven experience in managing large estates, including listed buildings and grounds, with a preference for experience in a charitable or non-profit organisation.
• Demonstrable project management experience, particularly with renovation / construction projects of significant scale and budget.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent knowledge of listed building regulations, conservation practices, and heritage management.
• Financial acumen with experience managing substantial budgets.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, problem-solving approach with the ability to work under pressure.
Desirable Skills and Experience:
• Demonstrated experience working with historic properties and managing large renovation projects.
• Professional qualification in estates management, project management, or a related field. Preferably RICS or other related qualification.
• Demonstrated experience in leading / supporting Health and Safety responsibilities within a large estate and building site.
• Knowledge of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in estate and grounds management.
• Experience working within a charitable organisation or non-profit sector.

We will be shortlisting and interviewing as we receive high calibre candidates. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of your application unfortunately on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

We are unable to offer sponsorships for this role. Please do not apply if you are not already residing in the UK and are able to commute to our facility.

For further information about this role, Flint House and what we do, please see our website at www.flinthouse.co.uk