Job Description

We are looking for an experienced, highly motivated, and compassionate Director of Estates and Facilities; we want you to bring your skills, expertise and innovation to our organisation.
The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of leading large revenue and capital programmes and be adept at managing outsourced services. The ideal candidate will bring their skills and knowledge of working with system partners and possess a track record of effective budget management, negotiation, and engagement. As well as technical skills, the successful post holder will demonstrate their commitment to living and promoting the values of our Trust, which are centred on being optimistic, appreciative, and kind.
This post will make a unique and exceptional difference to; our local community, our staff, many of whom live locally and who are highly committed to improving the health of our population, and, the next generation of healthcare professionals who come here to work and learn.
Whilst welcoming applications from all suitably experienced candidates, we wish to encourage applications from ethnic minority, disabled and LGBTQ+ people. Applications will be considered on their merits.
Candidates wishing to discuss this role further are invited to speak with Adrian Marr or Nick Hulme. Arrangements can be made via Michelle Keable on michelle.keable@esneft.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job

• Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy CEO and holding a non-voting Board position this is a highly influential role requiring the ability to manage a complex and competing demands.
• You will ensure estates teams and contractors stay informed and are engaged, not only, in the day-to-day requirements of caring for patients and staff in acute and community environments, but also, the wider life and culture of our hospitals.
• The Director of Estates and Facilities is responsible for providing the strategic direction and service development for the Trust.
• You will deliver an effective Estates capital plan, creating efficiencies and delivering on our Trust philosophy of 'Time Matters.

About us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Details
Date posted
16 October 2025
Pay scheme
Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary
Depending on experience Salary dependant on experience
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
432-HR788-25
Job locations
Colchester/Ipswich
Colchester/Ipswich
CO4 5JL
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MSc Degree in building services or an engineering related discipline
• Professional Registration as a Chartered Engineer or equivalent Charted status or evidence of working towards registration
• Membership of the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) or Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) or Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM) or similar

Desirable

• Diploma in Management Studies and/or recognised Leadership Qualification or Training
• Project Management Qualification (PRINCE 2) or equivalent experience
• Better Business Cases Practitioner level
• Evidence of continued professional development

Skills/Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience, expertise and understanding of performance and change management, business planning and budget setting in a health setting.
• Broad experience of leading large teams of professional staff within a performance management culture.
• A record of achievement in leading and managing the delivery and improvement of services within a demanding and dynamic environment5
• Proven experience in development, writing and presenting of Estates Strategies, Master Control planning documents, complex business cases and other related Board level information
• Experience of working with other statutory and voluntary organisations and the development of joint projects.
• Proven experience managing both externally outsourced and 'in house' models of service delivery for EFM
• Proven experience in significant budget and budget setting management
• Proven experience of working in a senior management/leadership role and at an Executive level responsible for the delivery and strategic direction of services

Desirable

• Evidence of influencing National Policy, Guidance or specifications for the benefit of EFM services

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MSc Degree in building services or an engineering related discipline
• Professional Registration as a Chartered Engineer or equivalent Charted status or evidence of working towards registration
• Membership of the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) or Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) or Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM) or similar

Desirable

• Diploma in Management Studies and/or recognised Leadership Qualification or Training
• Project Management Qualification (PRINCE 2) or equivalent experience
• Better Business Cases Practitioner level
• Evidence of continued professional development

Skills/Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience, expertise and understanding of performance and change management, business planning and budget setting in a health setting.
• Broad experience of leading large teams of professional staff within a performance management culture.
• A record of achievement in leading and managing the delivery and improvement of services within a demanding and dynamic environment5
• Proven experience in development, writing and presenting of Estates Strategies, Master Control planning documents, complex business cases and other related Board level information
• Experience of working with other statutory and voluntary organisations and the development of joint projects.
• Proven experience managing both externally outsourced and 'in house' models of service delivery for EFM
• Proven experience in significant budget and budget setting management
• Proven experience of working in a senior management/leadership role and at an Executive level responsible for the delivery and strategic direction of services

Desirable

• Evidence of influencing National Policy, Guidance or specifications for the benefit of EFM services

Skills Required