Deputy Head of Estates

Job Overview

This is a key leadership position within the Estates team, responsible for shaping long‑term strategic plans, monitoring performance and driving continuous service improvement across the department.

The post holder will provide oversight and leadership for the Maintenance Team, ensuring the effective development, capacity, wellbeing and quality of the service.

You will lead and mentor all Estates personnel, supporting the efficient delivery of day‑to‑day operations while maintaining a strong focus on quality and compliance. Working collaboratively with other Estates and Facilities Managers, you will help ensure the Trust meets all regulatory requirements, including compliance with CQC essential quality and safety standards, while also supporting financial and operational objectives.

• Lead on the assurance of all statutory and regulatory requirements, including HTMs, ensuring the Trust’s infrastructure remains safe, compliant and operational.
• Oversee critical compliance areas such as water safety, ventilation, building fabric, electrical systems and other essential estates functions.
• Work closely with the team to manage contractors, procurement processes, appointments and associated documentation to ensure robust oversight and coordination.
• Provide visible leadership and support to the Maintenance Team, fostering a positive culture focused on professionalism, development and wellbeing.
• Collaborate with Estates and Facilities colleagues to strengthen governance, performance and service delivery.
• Deputise for the Assistant Director of Estates as required, contributing to strategic planning and senior decision‑making.

In this senior leadership role, you will provide strategic and operational direction for the Estates service, ensuring high‑quality, compliant and patient‑focused delivery across the Trust.

You will lead the Operational Estates Team, driving the business planning process and empowering a diverse team of managers. You will champion a positive leadership culture, supporting development, accountability and high performance. A key element of the role is ensuring the Trust’s systems and infrastructure remain fully compliant and fit for purpose.

You will oversee the effective recruitment, selection and development of staff, ensuring HR policies are applied consistently. The role also includes managing complex employee relations matters and supporting investigations to enable organisational learning and continuous improvement.

You will hold budgetary responsibility for Estates services, ensuring financial policies are adhered to and identifying opportunities for cost efficiencies and annual savings without compromising quality or compliance.

Ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of the Estates team is central to the role. You will lead on the development, implementation and monitoring of Health and Safety policies, ensure full compliance with legislation, and maintain oversight of the Estates Risk Register.

You will drive improvements to Estates services based on feedback, ensuring patient and staff voices inform service planning. Strong communication will be essential to respond effectively to customer needs and ensure a positive experience for all.

You will ensure full compliance with relevant regulations and national guidance, including HTMs and CQC requirements. You will also lead the development and review of Estates policies to support robust governance.

Working in partnership with Estates & Facilities colleagues, clinical teams and external agencies, you will support coordinated service delivery. You will also contribute to emergency preparedness and incident response as required.

You will foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the division, leading quality improvement initiatives and encouraging proactive, solution‑focused problem‑solving within the team.

At the RUH we put people at the heart of what we do, working together as one team to…