Head of Estates

Head of Estates 

Lead our property strategy. Shape homes that help people live extraordinary lives. 

The Wilf Ward Family Trust is seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Estates to lead the strategic and operational management of our diverse property portfolio, ensuring the people we support have safe, high-quality, compliant and person-centred homes. 

You will take oversee more than 70 properties across our supported living and care portfolio, working closely with housing associations, private landlords, registered providers and internal stakeholders to deliver an outstanding estate that supports people with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs.

This is a unique opportunity for an estates professional who wants to combine commercial expertise, strategic leadership and social impact. 

About the Role 

As Head of Estates, you will lead the development and delivery of our Estates Strategy, ensuring our properties remain safe, sustainable, compliant and fit for the future. You'll oversee everything from asset management and planned maintenance through to property acquisitions, lease negotiations, compliance and environmental improvements. 

You'll be responsible for delivering a significant long-term investment programme, including a £4.9 million Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) strategy, while driving improvements in energy efficiency, asset performance and customer satisfaction. 

Most importantly, you'll ensure the voices of the people we support are at the heart of every property decision, creating homes that enable independence, dignity and choice. 

About You 

We're looking for a highly motivated estates leader with a strong track record of managing complex property portfolios within social housing, supported living, healthcare, care or related environments. 

• A Level 5 Housing qualification or equivalent qualification
• Extensive experience managing multi-site properties and estates portfolios 
• Proven expertise in planned maintenance, capital investment programmes and asset management 
• Strong knowledge of contracts, leases, landlord relationships and service agreements 
• Experience producing performance, compliance and financial reports for senior leaders and Boards 
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills 
• Strong financial acumen, budget management and commercial awareness 
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel and reporting systems such as Power BI 
• A full UK driving licence and ability to travel regularly across our services 

Desirable Experience 

• Membership of CIH, RICS, IWFM or a similar professional body. 
• Knowledge of Social Housing standards or CQC's Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture guidance. 
• Experience of co-production and tenant engagement. 
• CAFM or digital property management systems experience. 

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening call. Successful candidates will then be invited to interview, which is scheduled for 10th September 2026. Please ensure you are available on this date before submitting your application.

Why Join Us? 

At The Wilf Ward Family Trust, our estates are far more than buildings—they are people's homes. This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of the people we support while leading an ambitious programme of investment, sustainability and growth. 

If you're an experienced property leader who thrives on strategic thinking, operational excellence and delivering meaningful social impact, we'd love to hear from you. 

Join us and help create homes where people can truly live extraordinary lives.