Head of Estates - Avon Fire and Rescue Service

Head of Estates - Avon Fire and Rescue Service

Help shape the future of Avon Fire & Rescue Service's estate.

We're looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Head of Estates to lead the strategic development, management and transformation of our estate. This is a high-profile leadership role with the opportunity to make a lasting impact, ensuring our buildings and facilities are safe, sustainable, resilient and fit for the future.

You'll be joining us at an exciting and significant point in the development of our estate, with responsibility for delivering and progressing some of our most important property and infrastructure programmes. These include the redevelopment of Bath Fire Station and Weston-super-Mare Fire Station, progressing our on-call fire station redevelopment programme, and leading the estates elements of our PFI exit and the relocation of our Headquarters to Severn Park.

Alongside these major programmes, you'll provide strategic leadership across estate planning, capital investment, property and facilities management, compliance and continuous improvement. You'll work closely with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to translate organisational priorities into high-quality, sustainable environments that enable our people to deliver the best possible service to our communities.

This is far more than an estates management role. It's an opportunity to shape the future footprint of Avon Fire & Rescue Service, lead complex and high-profile programmes, influence significant investment decisions and leave a tangible legacy across our organisation.

If you're a collaborative, commercially minded and ambitious estates leader who can combine long-term strategic thinking with a strong track record of delivery, we'd love to hear from you.

Some of the things you'll be doing

• Lead the effective management, maintenance and security of the Service's buildings and land, ensuring they meet the needs of a 24/7 emergency service and comply with relevant legislation, health and safety requirements and environmental standards.
• Develop and deliver the Service's Estates Strategy, making the best use of property and land assets to meet changing operational needs, financial constraints and wider local authority plans.
• Be a visible and values-led member of the Service Leadership Team, championing positive cultural change, inclusion and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Prepare and present reports, business cases and recommendations to senior leaders, the Fire Authority and other key stakeholders, responding confidently to questions and scrutiny.
• Provide expert estates advice and guidance to senior leaders and the Fire Authority, using property surveys, performance data and risk assessments to inform decisions on estate development, usage and compliance.

What we will need from you

• A relevant higher or further education qualification in Building or Facilities Management or a related subject such as Engineering, Construction or Surveying.
• Up-to-date and extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory compliance, best practice and research in building services construction, health and safety and sustainability.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (or a willingness to undertake further professional qualification-based training in a relevant field), (eg Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Association for Project Management, Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management).
• An understanding and knowledge of the Fire Service or another similar Public Sector organisation including statutory requirements, compliance, systems, structure, stakeholders, and culture.
• Experience of having worked in senior estates position for example Head of Estates/Estates Manager, Facilities Manager, Capital Projects Manager, or a senior consultancy role with multiple clients, and ideally within a public sector organisation.
• Proven successful experience and knowledge of energy management, environmental considerations, and sustainability in relation to Estates management operations
• Experience of working with local politicians and applying political acuity.
• Experience of a Private Finance Initiative

What you can expect in return

• 27 days annual holiday (plus public holidays) rising to 31days after 5years, and 32days after 10 years of service
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Welfare and Wellbeing services
• Staff Networks
• Access to Westfield Health Supplementary Healthcare package.
• Use of the multi-gym, sports hall, restaurant, free parking and beautiful open surroundings at our Headquarters in Portishead.

Contract type: Full Time