This is a senior property leadership role with real scale, real complexity and real influence.
A public sector organisation is looking for a Director – Property and Assets to lead a significant property and assets function, taking responsibility for a broad operational and non-operational estate, major capital programmes, facilities management, building compliance, emergency planning, health and safety, and the strategic use of land and property.
This is not a narrow estates management post. It is a corporate leadership role sitting at the centre of property strategy, capital delivery, income generation, public-sector partnership working and long-term asset optimisation.
The portfolio is substantial, with responsibility for an estate valued at over £1B, oversight of a capital programme in excess of £500m, a commercial income rent roll, facilities management contracts, leasehold property expenditure, utilities and ratings budgets, and major programmes linked to housing, education, regeneration and wider public-sector property collaboration.
The successful candidate will provide clear strategic direction, lead a professional property and assets service, and advise senior officers and elected members on high-value, high-profile and politically sensitive property matters. You will be expected to bring grip, judgement and commercial discipline, while also understanding the realities of working in a complex public-sector environment.
The role will involve:
Leading the development and delivery of property and asset strategies across a large and varied estate.
Driving the best use of operational and non-operational assets, identifying opportunities to maximise capital and revenue outcomes.
Providing strategic leadership across property, capital programmes, facilities management, building compliance, civil contingencies, emergency planning and health and safety.
Overseeing major capital-funded projects and programmes, including schools capital, housing development and wider investment activity.
Leading and developing a professional property and assets team of around 49 staff, alongside client-side responsibility for FM services and the appointment and supervision of external consultants and contractors.
Working closely with senior leadership, portfolio holders, partners and external stakeholders to support corporate priorities and deliver practical, commercially sound outcomes.
Providing robust financial management across revenue budgets, capital programmes, contracts and investment propositions.
Supporting One Public Estate-style collaboration and wider public-sector property strategies.
We are looking for someone who can bring:
Senior leadership experience across property, assets, capital programmes, regeneration, development or a closely related environment.
A strong track record of leading professional property teams and delivering improvement across complex services.
Credibility with elected members, senior officers, consultants, contractors and external partners.
Strong commercial awareness, particularly around asset optimisation, income generation, capital planning, leasehold matters, investment opportunities and value for money.
Experience managing complex budgets, contracts, resources and multidisciplinary teams.
The ability to translate strategy into deliverable plans, with clear performance, governance and risk management.
Confidence operating in a politically sensitive environment where decisions are high-profile and scrutiny is significant.
Strong professional grounding. Full RICS membership is preferred, although candidates with relevant professional backgrounds such as RIBA, RTPI, CIOB or equivalent senior property/development experience will also be considered.
Why this role stands out
This is a chance to lead a property and assets function with genuine organisational reach. The post has influence across corporate strategy, regeneration, housing, education, capital investment, FM, compliance, emergency planning and public-sector partnership working.
It will suit someone who is comfortable with complexity, confident in front of senior stakeholders, and able to bring clarity to a broad portfolio where property decisions have direct financial, operational and community impact.
The organisation needs someone who can lead from the front, challenge assumptions, improve performance, manage risk, and make sure the estate is working harder — financially, operationally and strategically.
This is a strong opportunity for a senior property and assets leader who wants a role with scale, visibility and substance