LMH seeks to appoint a full-time, permanent Estates Manager to proactively and systematically manage the maintenance, repair and improvement of the built estate, building services and other related infrastructure at Lady Margaret Hall. The successful candidate will plan projects to meet the College's aspirations for the built environment within time and budget. The role will manage the directly employed Estates team (6 people) and co-ordinate contractors with them.
Relationships:
Responsible to: Domestic Bursar
Responsible for: Estates Team (Electrician, Plumber, Painter & Decorator, Carpenter and 2 x Maintenance Assistants)
Liaison with: College Department Heads, Students, Staff, Fellows of the College and other building users. Consultants and advisors (the College Surveyor, architects, quantity surveyors, project managers, etc). Contractors and other suppliers of goods and services. Local Authority officers and other regulators.
Main Tasks
* Production of a forward-looking estates development plan to meet the following College objectives:
* To protect the buildings
* To meet regulatory requirements including health and safety requirements and the College's procedures
* To maintain suitable building services
* To provide a living and working environment fit for purpose
* To create inspiring spaces
* To work towards secure, affordable and lower carbon energy performance
* Budget and plan for works projects of between £5,000 and £1,000,000.
* Improve planned preventative maintenance programmes to maintain the College's buildings and services effectively and within budget.
* Co-ordinate, by agreeing with other departments and using the College's software and relationships with colleagues, the time windows for various projects and maintenance work.
* Source through bids, quotes, tenders etc contractors, designers and other third parties as required to fulfil all of these projects and programs.
* Maintain suitable arrangements to deliver out of hours reactive services to an agreed service level.
* Develop the College's records, drawings, schematics etc of the buildings and grounds, services
* Recruit, train and develop, direct and manage the College's Estates Team in accordance with the College's status as an Investors in People Gold employer.
* Supervise and support the Estates Team as they plan and execute repairs and maintenance and help / guide them in planning and delivering their work.
* Advise on how the College can continue to operate its estate and services efficiently, including the management of energy, gas, water.
* Draft an annual budget proposal and regularly manage financial performance from Management Accounts throughout the year at a three weekly Estates Committee.
* Manage the Health and Safety implications for the activities and of the department and team as Department head and in accordance with our existing health and safety policy and procedures.
* Fulfil the role of nominated person in respect of College policies for legionella, asbestos and fire regulations.
* Always consider protecting the LMH environment and continually find more sustainable ways of working.
The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the College's organisation and the overall objectives of Lady Margaret Hall.
Person Specification
General:
The post-holder will be a motivated self-starter who is capable of turning their hand to a wide variety of duties as the situation demands, prioritising an ever-changing workload.
Keen attention to detail and a flexible approach with excellent interaction and communication skills are essential. Confidence and the ability to deal appropriately with a very varied range of people will also be key. Overall, the College is seeking an experienced, flexible and unflappable individual: someone who enjoys a varied role, who is not phased by pressure, and can deal with competing demands.
Skills, aptitude and knowledge:
Essential:
* A strong understanding of building management processes and technical understanding of the built environment.
* Practical knowledge of health and safety systems.
* Highly-organised, ability to prioritise.
* Good decision making skills.
* Good communication skills and the ability to liaise at all levels.
* Friendly, approachable, co-operative, motivational, customer-focused, team player
* Proficient with modern software packages (Office, Microsoft Outlook Exchange, BMS etc)
* Good grasp of numbers, budgets and management accounting.
* Supportive people manager.
* Ability to explain plans verbally and in writing and/or modern IT based planning tools.
* Flexible approach to work,
* Reliability,
* Attention to detail,
* Positive and proactive approach to problems
Previous experience:
Essential:
* Experience of working at supervisory level in a Facilities and Estates environment.
* Experience of managing contractors and the supply chain
* Experience of project management
* Experience of budget management
Desirable:
* Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
Qualifications:
Desirable:
* Educated to degree level or equivalent preferably in a building related subject, professional membership of a recognised building relatedbody
Terms and Conditions
The salary will be c.£60,000 per annum for a 37.5-hour week. This is a permanent position.
Benefits of working for the College include 37 days holiday (including bank holidays), the option to join a University pension scheme and one free meal whilst on duty and the kitchens are open. Additional benefits include a free annual flu jab, employee assistance programme, a parking permit scheme, a childcare salary sacrifice scheme, a bicycle purchase scheme, a bus and Train Season Tickets and great social events.
There will be an initial probationary period of six months. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
Application Process
To apply for this position, please press the 'Apply Now' button and submit a covering letter explaining why you are suitable for this role and your CV.
Deadline for applications: Midday on Monday 29th September 2025
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 6th October 2025
Equal Opportunities
The College's Equal Opportunities Policy aims to ensure that in the recruitment, selection, training, appraisal, development and promotion of employees, the only consideration must be that the individual best meets, or is likely to meet, the requirements of the programme or course or post.
Lady Margaret Hall is committed to provide a learning, working and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members are respected, and which is free from prejudice, intimidation and all forms of harassment, including bullying. We seek to ensure that no-one suffers, either directly or indirectly, as a result of discrimination.
Lady Margaret Hall has a range of family-friendly policies.
About LMH
LMH began with nine women and is now a vibrant academic community transforming the lives of hundreds of students. We are diverse, open, intellectually curious and pioneering. We continue to break boundaries as the first Oxford College to establish a Foundation Year for under-represented students.
Application Deadline
September 29, 2025
Department
Estates
Employment Type
Permanent - Full Time
Location
Oxford
Workplace type
Onsite
Compensation
£60,000 / year