Head of Estates

Hrwallingford Group; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Estates to manage the strategic and operational aspects of its Howbery Park business park. This pivotal role involves developing long-term estates strategies, overseeing supplier relationships, and advancing sustainability initiatives. The ideal candidate will have senior-level experience in estates management and financial acumen with large budgets. This position supports flexible working arrangements and has a salary range of £70,000 – £80,000 depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage supplier relationships.
• Experience in sustainability-led estates initiatives.
• Familiarity with smart building technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement estates strategy aligned with business goals.
• Lead master planning and feasibility studies for developments.
• Oversee supplier selection and performance management.
• Manage compliance with regulations.
• Advance sustainability initiatives across the estate.

Skills

Senior-level experience in estates or property management

Knowledge of UK planning regulations

Ability to build strategic partnerships

Experience managing large budgets

Excellent leadership skills

Education

Professional qualifications (e.g. MRICS, BIFM, CIBSE)

Job description

Join to apply for the Head of Estates role at HR Wallingford

At HR Wallingford, we design smart, resilient solutions across the natural and built environments to help everyone live and work more sustainably with water. By harnessing research, data insights and the power of our collective expertise, we help the world to better understand the changing influence and impact of water.

HR Wallingford owns and operates Howbery Park business park www.howberypark.com, a 70‑acre site set in mature, landscaped grounds near the river Thames. The park is located between Oxford and Reading and has excellent links to the M4, M40 and London. It offers approximately 300,000 square feet of space (including HR Wallingford’s own‑use offices and facilities) to about 60 tenants. The buildings include a listed manor house, stables and conference/meeting facilities. The park has a long‑standing sustainability theme, drawing energy from an on‑site solar array. We are keen to position the park to attract world‑leading facilities and new investments, further developing a principal centre in water‑related science, engineering and technology.

HR Wallingford’s international business trades through overseas companies and offices in Australia (Perth), the USA (Houston), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi) and India (Mumbai). HR Wallingford Ltd also operates a branch office with technical and sales staff based in Italy.

About The Role

We are seeking a forward‑thinking and commercially minded Head of Estates to lead the strategic and operational management of our wholly‑owned business park, Howbery Park, and oversee estates activity across our global footprint. This new and pivotal leadership role will be responsible for delivering our long‑term estates strategy, driving development opportunities and ensuring operational excellence across facilities, compliance, and sustainability. You will work closely with senior leaders, external partners and suppliers to realise the full commercial and community potential of the estate.

Based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, you will lead an in‑house team and collaborate across departments to deliver high‑quality services and future‑focused estate development.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing the long‑term estates strategy in alignment with business goals.
• Leading master planning and feasibility studies for future developments.
• Managing strategic partnerships with developers, local authorities and commercial stakeholders.
• Overseeing supplier selection, contract negotiation and performance management.
• Providing direction for compliance with health & safety, environmental and statutory regulations.
• Advancing sustainability initiatives across the estate portfolio.
• Overseeing budgets, capital expenditure and service charge recovery.
• Delivering high‑quality park services and amenities, including the HR Wallingford‑run café.
• Providing policy and guidance to international sites.

About You

We value diverse perspectives and welcome candidates who bring curiosity, empathy and a commitment to continuous learning.

You will be an experienced estates professional who brings strategic vision, operational rigour and a passion for sustainable development.

You will demonstrate:

• Senior‑level experience in estates or property management, ideally within commercial or mixed‑use environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK planning regulations, development processes and facilities operations.
• Proven ability to build and manage strategic partnerships and supplier relationships.
• Financial acumen, with experience managing large budgets and capital projects.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desirable attributes include:

• Professional qualifications (e.g. MRICS, BIFM, CIBSE).
• Experience in ESG and sustainability‑led estates initiatives.
• Familiarity with smart building technologies and digital estate management tools.

Further information

This role requires regular presence at the park. The position must be within a good commutable distance to our offices in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. We support flexible working arrangements to help you balance professional and personal commitments. Applicants seeking part‑time working may be considered.

• Download a full job description and person specification.
• Salary: £70,000 – £80,000, dependant on experience.

Further information, and details of our exceptional benefits, can be found on our website: www.hrwallingford.com/careers

Deadline for applications is 5th January 2026.

How to apply

If you are excited about this role but unsure whether you are the right fit, we encourage you to apply. We’re also happy to answer any questions by emailing [e-mail].

Interested? Please apply providing your CV with covering letter.

Additional information

Our privacy notice for job applicants, available from our website, explains how we collect and process the personal data you may provide us when you apply for a job with us through our websites, or by any other means. This notice also explains how we’ll store and handle that data and keep it.

HR Wallingford are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. We do not discriminate, and work to create an inclusive culture across our business.

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