South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Deputy Director of Estates & Facilities
Band 8d (Agenda for Change) | 37.5 hours per week | Substantive
The closing date is 02 June 2026
Location: Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield (Trust-wide)
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Director of Finance, Estates & Resources you will provide senior leadership across a multi-site estates and facilities portfolio. You will shape the strategic direction of the portfolio, oversee delivery of capital and maintenance programmes, and provide assurance on compliance, performance, risk and value for money. The post holder will also act as the Trust’s appointed Fire Responsible Person.
About you
You are a confident, credible senior leader with substantial experience across estates and facilities (hard and soft FM). You work effectively with senior leaders, providing clear assurance to Trust committees as required, and bring strong governance, risk and financial oversight. With a track record of leading teams and change, you are committed to delivering safe, high-quality, compliant environments that put people first.
Responsibilities
Strategic Oversight:
* Provide strategic and professional leadership for the management, development and efficient utilisation of the Trust’s Estate and Facilities, incorporating national requirements.
* Lead the strategic and operational management of the Directorate.
* Ensure delivery of the Directorate’s functions in accordance with national standards and recognised industry best practice.
* Provide a safe, secure, and high-quality environment for Service Users and staff.
* Manage outsourced contracts and potential forthcoming strategic outsourced contracts.
* Support the Trust’s Planning & transformation programme.
* Represent the Trust in developing Strategic Estate Plans across Health and Local Authority boundaries.
* Maintain a culture of high quality, service user‑centred support services.
* Actively demonstrate the agreed behaviours and values of the organisation.
Operational Management:
* Lead and manage the Directorate, securing approval for policies and plans.
* Ensure site strategies are delivered in practice, to specification, timescale, and budget.
* Drive change and modernisation in ways of working.
* Maintain processes for analysis and assessment of standards and comparative information to ensure value for money.
* Ensure the highest standards of compliance across all Estates and Facilities and Health and Safety, through key services meetings.
* Deliver CQC compliance and ensure services meet standards of the Care Quality Commission and other professional and regulatory authorities.
* Implement and operate the Asset Management system.
* Accountable for major contracts & capital projects, including 5‑year capital works programmes.
* Ensure the annual programme for funded projects is constructed and prioritised.
* Provide governance for training, development and delegated authority of staff.
* Jointly responsible for sustainable use of energy and utilities; promote the Estates planning and delivery of the NHS Carbon Reduction Commitment.
* Monitor statutory and industry practice changes.
* Manage the outsourced EBME function, chair the Trust medical devices group.
Transformation / Service Development:
* Work with Directors and senior clinicians to develop site strategies aligned with best patient experience.
* Ensure estate assets are effectively managed.
* Maintain consistent design priorities such as anti‑ligature and dementia‑friendly environments.
* Support the Director of Nursing, Care Group Managers and Matrons in achieving environmental standards.
* Collaborate with Infection Control, IT and other departments to minimise disruption.
* Maintain services for resilience to supply discontinuity.
* Maintain safe security and car parking services.
* Develop strategies for services, including Transformation Plans.
* Assess customer satisfaction and shape service offers within resources.
* Maintain service level agreements.
* Lead audits and lean initiatives for improvement and cost savings.
* Promote a customer‑first approach and conduct customer surveys.
* Initiate continuous improvement of the Estates & Facilities Function.
* Advise on service planning and optimal use of the estate.
Person Specification
Special Knowledge/Skills
* Team and staff management – responsibility for sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance issues, recruitment and selection, personal and career development, appraisal and allocation of work.
* Communication – convey information verbally and in writing to patients, carers and the public.
* Review complex estate problems including statutory, health and safety, and planned maintenance activities.
* Review performance data to manage an estates team.
* Develop O&M manuals and implement planned preventive maintenance regimes.
* Analyse and interpret complex and sensitive data from CAFM, Helpdesk and financial systems.
* Present complex information and lead communication to achieve corporate objectives.
* Adopt robust project management to deliver annual business plans.
* Introduce and manage systems for operational budgets within allocated resources.
Physical Attributes
* Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post; satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years.
Personal Attributes
* Self‑belief.
* Manage evolving priorities and deadlines.
* Remain calm and focused under pressure.
* Command confidence of Senior Managers, Clinicians and the Trust Board.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and professional manner.
* Inspire and motivate others.
* Make judgments and decisions in complex environments.
* Influencing skills across hierarchies and disciplines.
* Act to ensure delivery.
* Responsive and flexible attitude.
Qualifications
* Masters Degree or equivalent level qualification in Facilities Management / Construction / Engineering related subject.
* Full Membership of an appropriate professional body such as IWFM / IHEEM / RICS / CIOB.
* Registration or working towards Chartered status for Construction or Facilities Management.
Experience
* Extensive senior management experience in a large complex organisation.
* Experience managing complex relationships between Executive Directors, Non‑Executive Directors, Governors and staff.
* Construct and develop spreadsheets for monitoring, presentation and persuasion in reports.
* Contribute to development of IT systems in the department (BMS, Estates Terrier, Database, CAFM and records systems).
* Managed multimillion‑pound construction, engineering & works contracts from design to execution, commissioning, and final accounts.
* Knowledge of performance management/data systems.
* Extensive experience of risk management for NHS and public sector and governance statutory requirements.
* Demonstrate high levels of corporate achievement and successful track record across all areas covered.
* Influence senior managers to change approach.
* Advise Boards on legal issues regarding Estate and Facilities.
* Experience of working with external regulators and in organisations subject to public and political scrutiny.
* Experience working with solicitors and organisational change.
* Develop and lead governance frameworks, including risk management and assurance.
* Develop and implement governance arrangements for new organisations/services.
* Plan, manage and collaborate across stakeholders.
* Build confidence and negotiate with stakeholders of all levels.
* Successful project management and leading major change programmes.
* Senior leader experience in the NHS.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
EEO Statement
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Employer name
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
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