Director of estates

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Director of Estates Job Family: Facilities and Estates Job family Definition Roles within the facilities and estates dedicate themselves to optimising the safety of Eden sites and maximising the strategic and operational management of site to provide estates and facilities that enhance visitor enjoyment. Role Purpose To lead and manage the Eden Project Cornwall estate (with strategic input across wider Eden projects as required), ensuring the effective delivery of a prioritised capital investment programme, maintenance, and long-term development of the estate. The role provides strategic leadership across master planning, capital investment prioritisation, and client-side project delivery, ensuring estates activity supports Eden’s strategic, commercial and financial objectives. At a strategic level, the Director of Estates provides senior professional advice to the CEO and Leadership Team, ensuring that estate development aligns with organisational priorities, funding capacity and long-term asset value creation. The postholder will act as a senior ambassador for Eden, working with partners, stakeholders and funders to unlock investment, secure consents and deliver major capital and infrastructure projects. The role reports to the CEO and works closely with the Leadership Team, partnering particularly with Finance, Sustainability and Operations, including the General Manager (Eden Cornwall) and the Project Director (Eden Morecambe). Key Accountabilities Strategic Planning and Master planning: Provide strategic advice on estate management, development and long-term asset value optimisation Develop and implement phased masterplans aligned to organisational strategy, financial capacity and delivery priorities Coordinate planning for infrastructure improvements, including roads, car parking and visitor facilities Liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and stakeholders to secure approvals Ensure the estate is structured and managed to maximise financial efficiency, charitable benefit and long-term value Capital Projects Management: Lead a prioritised portfolio of major capital projects from inception to completion Act as client representative, ensuring delivery to agreed time, cost, quality and commercial outcomes Develop robust business cases, including financial appraisal, risk assessment and delivery strategy Appoint and manage consultants and contractors Oversee project budgets, timelines and quality Conduct feasibility studies and develop investment-ready proposals Ensure strong capital governance, including approvals, reporting and post-investment review Estate Management: Advise on the management and optimisation of the estate, including residential, commercial and infrastructure assets Oversee valuations, rent reviews and tenancy arrangements (via managing agents where appropriate) Manage freeholds, leaseholds and tenancies Ensure compliance with legislation and health and safety regulations Drive long-term asset strategy, including lifecycle planning, maintenance optimisation and value enhancement Work jointly with the Head of Sustainability to deliver estate decarbonisation, energy strategy and climate resilience, including major infrastructure such as geothermal and energy systems Financial and Commercial Accountability Lead the planning and delivery of a multi-year capital investment programme aligned to organisational priorities and funding constraints Ensure investments deliver value for money, affordability and strategic alignment Partner with Finance to ensure strong financial control, forecasting and reporting across the capital programme Contribute to funding strategies, including grants, partnerships and commercial opportunities arising from estate development Team Management: Lead and manage the Property team and cross-organisational project teams, Foster a collaborative, high-performing working environment Provide clear prioritisation and direction across competing estate and capital demands Contribute to organisational change processes that may lead to additional team management Health and Safety: Ensure all estate and project activities comply with health and safety regulations Promote a culture of safety and accountability Ensure robust identification and management of financial, operational and delivery risks across the estate and capital programme Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders Support fundraising and operational activities Represent Eden with partners, funders, regulators and public bodies Build strong relationships to support delivery of major projects and infrastructure investment Governance and Assurance Ensure strong governance frameworks are in place across capital projects and estate management Provide assurance to the Leadership Team and Board on delivery, risks and financial performance Ensure appropriate controls, reporting and decision-making processes are consistently applied Other Information The Eden Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share this commitment You will also be expected to undertake any other accountabilities as may reasonably be required in the post. Person Specification Essential Desirable Education and Qualifications Degree (or equivalent experience) in estate management, surveying, construction, property or a related discipline. Chartered professional qualification or membership (e.g. RICS, CIOB, RIBA, APM or equivalent). Evidence of continuing professional development. Postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc, MBA) or additional qualifications in project management, sustainability or leadership. Knowledge and Skills Extensive senior-level experience managing large, complex and diverse estates portfolios. Expert knowledge of property legislation, planning systems, and health & safety regulations. Strong track record of delivering major capital projects from inception to completion, ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality Deep understanding of estate master planning, asset development and infrastructure planning. Strong financial and commercial acumen, including capital planning, business case development and budget management. Advanced stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across senior leaders, funders, regulators and partners. Proven leadership capability, including leading multidisciplinary and matrix teams. Strong project and programme management skills, including procurement and contractor/consultant management Ability to operate at executive level, providing strategic advice and managing complex risks. Knowledge of charity/not-for-profit sector, environmental or heritage projects, and landscape or horticultural environments. Decision Making Experience operating at executive level and taking accountability for strategic estate decisions, capital investment priorities and long-term asset development. Experience of providing expert professional advice to the Leadership Team and Board, balancing organisational ambition, financial constraints and regulatory requirements. Experience of making complex, high-value decisions relating to estate strategy, major capital projects and risk management, often within ambiguous or evolving contexts. Resourcefulness Ability to lead the identification and development of opportunities to maximise value, sustainability and visitor experience across the estate. Ability to develop innovative and practical solutions to complex estate, infrastructure and planning challenges. Experience of proactively managing competing priorities, resources and risks across a diverse property portfolio. Experienced in the development of business cases, funding strategies and partnership approaches for capital projects. People and Asset Management Experience leading multi-professional teams, including professional specialists and cross-organisational project teams. Experience of effectively managing a significant and diverse estate portfolio, including commercial, residential and infrastructure assets. In depth understanding of governance, compliance, maintenance and long-term asset value having managed significant capital project budgets and associated resources. Communication and Visitor Experience Ability to become an ambassador for the organisation, representing Eden with strategic partners, funders, local authorities and stakeholders. Adept at communicating complex technical, financial and strategic information clearly to a wide range of audiences. Advanced ability to negotiate and influence at senior level to secure approvals, funding and partnerships. Experience of supporting estate developments that enhance visitor experience and organisational impact. Operational Environment Ability to operate within a complex, multi-site environment with responsibility for a diverse property portfolio. Previous experience of working with a CEO, Leadership Team and key operational leaders to ensure alignment of estate strategy with organisational priorities. Evidence of experience undertaking regular engagement with external stakeholders including planning authorities, regulators, consultants and contractors. Experience supporting delivery of major strategic programmes and infrastructure projects. Ability to be flexible, particularly with a need to travel and respond to major project demands.