Job Description

Head of Estates | Health & Social Care Homes | Excellent Opportunity
Head of Estates
About the role
Purpose of the Role
The Head of Estates holds strategic and operational responsibility for ensuring that all Constantia Healthcare Group properties are safe, compliant, well maintained, and reflective of the highest standards of care. This role ensures that every environment across the Group supports the wellbeing, dignity, and comfort of residents while enabling colleagues to deliver exceptional outcomes.
Working closely with the CEO, CFO, and wider executive team, the postholder will lead all aspects of estates strategy, governance, capital investment, maintenance, and compliance. They will also ensure that internal systems are used efficiently and effectively, creating transparency, accountability, and reliable reporting across the Group.
The Head of Estates will directly line manage the Resident Experience Partner (Estates), ensuring that the tangible impact of the estates and maintenance function can be evidenced in the daily lived experience of residents.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Governance
Develop and lead the Group's Estates Strategy, ensuring it aligns with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and the values of Constantia Healthcare.
Oversee the delivery of safe, compliant, and fit-for-purpose environments across all locations.
Provide professional advice to the CEO and Executive Team on property risks, capital planning, and development opportunities.
Lead on all estates-related elements of new service mobilisation and acquisition due diligence.
Ensure all estates data, actions, and audits are accurately maintained within internal systems (e.g. BrightSafe, YourHippo, Sona and Governance Workbook).
2. Compliance, Health & Safety
Maintain full compliance with all estates-related legislation and regulations, including Health & Safety at Work, Fire Safety, Asbestos, Legionella, and Lifting Equipment standards.
Ensure each home holds current and verifiable certification, with all checks documented within internal compliance systems.
Conduct and oversee regular compliance audits, maintaining a central estates risk register.
Lead on the investigation and resolution of estates-related incidents, hazards, and safety concerns.
Ensure all works, from minor repairs to large-scale projects, meet planning, building control, and fire safety standards.
3. Planned, Preventative & Reactive Maintenance
Design, implement, and oversee the Group's Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedule.
Monitor all reactive and planned maintenance tasks, ensuring timely completion and cost efficiency.
Use internal systems effectively to track jobs, log contractor activity, monitor progress, and evidence closure.
Ensure all maintenance staff and contractors work safely, are qualified, and adhere to company and statutory standards.
Promote proactive maintenance practices that reduce downtime and extend asset life.
4. Supplier, Contractor & Budget Management
Lead procurement and contract management for estates-related services, ensuring best value and high standards.
Manage the estates and maintenance budget, providing clear financial oversight and forecasting.
Collaborate with the CFO to track spend, validate invoices, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Maintain and regularly review approved supplier lists, ensuring contractors perform to specification.
Ensure accurate records of all works, warranties, and service agreements are stored within internal systems.
5. Leadership, People & Communication
Provide clear leadership, direction, and support to the Resident Experience Partner and any estates or maintenance colleagues.
Ensure that the estates team's work has a visible, tangible impact on the lived experience of residents across all homes.
Promote a culture of pride, responsiveness, and ownership within the estates and maintenance function.
Communicate proactively with Home Operations Managers, Regional Excellence Directors, and senior leaders to ensure timely response to estates priorities.
Role-model the Constantia Healthcare values in all interactions - Where People Matter.
6. Project Management & Capital Development
Lead and oversee all refurbishment, redevelopment, and improvement projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope and budget.
Manage contractors and stakeholders through each project phase, ensuring minimal disruption to residents.
Produce regular progress reports and maintain a Group-wide project tracker.
Work closely with the CFO to assess return on investment and sustainability of capital projects.
7. Environmental & Sustainability Leadership
Champion energy efficiency and sustainability across all services.
Implement systems to monitor energy and water consumption, promoting sustainable use and cost control.
Support the development of the Group's environmental strategy, including carbon reduction and waste management.
Ensure all suppliers operate in line with environmental and ethical standards.
Key Relationships
Chief Executive Officer (line manager)
Chief Financial Officer
Resident Experience Partner (direct report)
Home Operations Managers / Regional Excellence Directors
Compliance, Health & Safety, and People & Culture Teams
Estates and Maintenance Contractors
Local Authorities, CQC, Fire Services, Environmental Health, and other regulatory bodies
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
100% compliance with all statutory and regulatory estates requirements
All certification current and uploaded to internal systems (e.g. BrightSafe)
Zero enforcement notices or compliance breaches
PPM completion rate of 100% within agreed timeframes
All projects delivered on time and within budget
Evidenced improvement in resident feedback related to environment and maintenance
Effective use and audit trail of all internal estates systems
Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience
Essential:
Proven senior-level experience in estates or facilities management, ideally within care, health, or a regulated environment.
Strong understanding of health and safety legislation, compliance frameworks, and regulatory inspection requirements.
Experience in multi-site management, capital projects, and contractor oversight.
Strong leadership and communication skills with ability to influence at all levels.
Demonstrable experience in effective system usage for estates or compliance management.
Proven ability to manage budgets and drive cost efficiency without compromising quality or safety.
Desirable:
NEBOSH or IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Building Services, Estates Management, or a related field.
Experience using BrightSafe, YourHippo, or other digital compliance tools.
Familiarity with CQC, Fire Safety, and Environmental Health inspection regimes.
Personal Attributes
Professional, calm, and solution-focused under pressure.
Strong sense of accountability, with the ability to follow through on actions.
Organised and methodical with exceptional attention to detail.
Able to translate technical and compliance requirements into practical, achievable actions for services.
Values-driven, collaborative, and committed to excellence.
Constantia Healthcare Group
We are proud to create environments that enable people to live with dignity, safety, and pride. The Head of Estates ensures that every home across our Group represents the quality, warmth, and purpose that define Constantia Healthcare - a place "Where People Matter."
About the company
Constantia Healthcare Group is a small yet robust organisation caring for people with age-related needs and complex care and support requirements. We ensure that the person we care for is at the centre of everything we do and, we ensure our colleagues are well supported, appreciated and invested in. At Constantia we want our organisation to work for the people we care for and our colleagues. We are an organisation that strives for excellence and accepts nothing less. We are continuously looking to invest in our services and in our teams.
Required Criteria
Desired Criteria
Skills you'll need

Skills Required