Job Description
Your new companyHays are delighted to be supporting one of our key clients within the defence sector in recruiting a Facilities & Estate Manager to join their team on a permanent basis. You will be joining a leading provider of facilities management and estate services supporting a secure, high-profile defence estate. Operating within a regulated environment, the organisation delivers critical maintenance, infrastructure, and property services to support operational readiness and the needs of service personnel and their families.Your new roleAs Facilities & Estate Manager, you will lead the delivery of maintenance and estate management services across a multi-site defence portfolio. This is a highly visible leadership role where operational excellence, statutory compliance, and stakeholder engagement are critical to success. You will operate within a Ministry of Defence (MoD) framework, ensuring all works are delivered in line with strict regulatory, contractual, and health & safety requirements. Working closely with Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) representatives and key stakeholders, you will coordinate priorities, manage delivery programmes, and ensure all activities meet required standards and handover expectations. Your role will have a strong focus on compliance, safety, and service delivery.Key responsibilities include:
* Leading planned and reactive maintenance across the built estate within an MoD-regulated environment
* Ensuring full compliance with statutory legislation, MoD requirements, and HSE standards
* Acting as the technical authority on compliance risks, including chairing Site Risk Meetings where required
* Managing estate documentation and asset data, including systems and key planning tools such as ESTS and FASP
* Overseeing operational planning, resource allocation, and budget management to meet evolving priorities
* Building strong, effective relationships with DIO representatives, military stakeholders, and end users
* Leading, developing, and motivating teams to deliver high-performance outcomes against KPIs
* Driving commercial performance through cost control, supply chain management, and P&L oversight
* Embedding sustainability initiatives and supporting carbon reduction targets across the estate
This role offers a unique opportunity to influence estate performance in a secure and mission-critical environment, where quality, reliability, and compliance are essential.What you'll need to succeedYou will be an experienced Facilities Manager, Estate Manager, or Hard Services professional with a strong understanding of operating within regulated or defence environments.You will bring:
* Proven experience in facilities management, estate maintenance, or property operations, ideally within an MoD or similarly regulated environment.
* Strong knowledge of statutory compliance, health & safety legislation, and risk management practices.
* Experience working with defence stakeholders, frameworks, or organisations such as the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) (desirable).
* A track record of delivering operational performance, managing teams, and achieving KPIs.
* Experience managing budgets, resources, and commercial performance.
* Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships.
* Excellent organisational and IT skills, including experience working with estate and asset management systems.
Desirable qualifications and experience:
* HND or equivalent in Building, Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (or relevant experience).
* Health & Safety qualification such as SMSTS or NEBOSH.
* Knowledge of CDM regulations, asbestos management, disability access compliance, and energy performance standards.
What you'll get in returnIn return you will receive an excellent basic salary of up to £48,000 per annum, plus other benefits including:
* Company car or car allowance
* 25 days annual leave
* 6% matched pension contribution
* Private medical cover
* Life assurance
* Professional membership support
* Ongoing career development within a specialist and regulated sector
What you need to do nowIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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