Job Title: Head of Office Estates

Type of Business: Public Sector

Location: Swindon, SN2 2EH

Salary:  £57,002.40 to £59,997.60

Contract:  3 months initially

Hours:  Monday to Friday – 36 hours pw

GI Group are now seeking an experienced estates professional to lead our clients Office Estates function, ensuring the effective operation and maintenance of their office property portfolio.

The Head of Office Estates will be responsible for ensuring legal, statutory and financial compliance across the estate, delivering a customer-focused service to our client and tenants and leading on landlord/tenant negotiations and property matters. This is a key interim appointment requiring confident decision-making, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to quickly take ownership of a live portfolio.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Office Estates team, setting clear objectives and ensuring deliverables/deadlines are met while maintaining excellent customer service.
• Ensure compliance with legal obligations and internal policies (including H&S, equality & diversity, finance, procurement, information security, and people management).
• Manage and control the departmental budget, agreeing priorities with Facilities Management and stakeholders; ensure spend aligns with procurement and financial policies; manage year-end provisions/accruals related to rent reviews and lease renewals.
• Lead the planning and management of the office property portfolio, including acquisitions and disposals in line with government and organisational guidance.
• Take ownership of lease and tenancy management, including negotiation and administration of leases, licences, wayleaves, easements and tenancies; manage notices, covenants, points of law and liaison with professional/legal advisers as required.
• Ensure landlord and tenant obligations are met, including (but not limited to) business rates, challenging demands where appropriate, and tenant due diligence aligned to HMRC guidance.
• Identify and maximise opportunities for income generation from the office estate.
• Complete and submit required government reports/returns on time (e.g., Cabinet Office benchmarking, State of the Estate, DCMS returns).

Essential criteria

• MRICS qualified with broad estates management experience
• Strong experience across landlord and tenant-side lease matters (critical)
• Experience of or knowledge of business rating
• Proven experience of procurement and contract negotiation
• Strong people leadership and performance management capability
• Ability to deliver consistently to deadlines/targets
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Budget management and financial reporting experience
• Strategic and operational planning capability

Desirable criteria

• Experience preparing specifications for repair works and/or building surveying
• Experience working with the Office of Government Property and knowledge of the Government Estate Strategy
• Knowledge of financial management/reporting requirements within Historic England
• Experience using government frameworks and/or knowledge of HE procurement guidelines

Behaviours

• Pro-active, pragmatic problem solver and decision-maker
• Continuous improvement mindset; embraces and promotes change
• Team player
• Conscientious, motivated and customer-focused

Hiring Contact: Joanne Smith

Agency: GI Group Recruitment Ltd

If you would like any further information about any vacancies before applying, please feel free to contact or on 07552 342472 

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