Head of Estates

We're looking for an inspiring and experienced Head of Estates to join us in leading our Estates team, responsible for managing RNLI buildings at every stage, from design through to building and maintenance.

Our estates are diverse, including 238 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the UK and Ireland. Some have been housing lifeboats for decades, others specially built to tackle the unique geography of the UK and Irish coastlines. And whether they're in the heart of a busy harbour, at the bottom of a cliff face, or on a busy waterway, they are all uniquely placed to provide the quickest response to a call for help., As Head of Estates you will be responsible for leading the Estates team in ensuring that our Lifeboat and Lifeguard operations, and support functions, have the right infrastructure and facilities management that allows them to undertake their lifesaving role efficiently, effectively, and safely.

This role will form a part of our Engineer and Supply (E&S) Department Senior Leadership Team. The E&S Department design, build, supply, support and maintain the RNLI's buildings, boats and equipment to help save lives and keep our people safe. Together, their vision is to deliver trusted, sustainable solutions to bring our people home safely. This will be achieved by empowering people to be the best they can be and embracing data, innovative thinking and technology to continually improve reliability, safety and availability.

Key priorities for this role in the next 5 years are:

• Implement a new Asset Management / Field Service tool suite to track, manage and improve building management


• Create an affordable and sustainable capital plan for new buildings and modifications to existing buildings


• Improve compliance with regulations and safety across the estate


This is a hybrid role, and you would be expected to work in Poole or an RNLI Regional Base/Lifeboat Station at least 2 or 3 times per week. The role will also involve occasional travel within the UK and Ireland to visit Lifeboat stations and projects, as required.

We are a community-based charity, so we are open to discussing opportunities for applicants from around the country that may be interested in the role.

We are looking for someone with excellent, proven experience in a similar role, ideally from a marine or engineering environment.

To be considered as our new Head of Estates you will also need to be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of leading, managing, developing and/or motivating multi-disciplinary teams and collaborating across a variety of stakeholders


• Proven experience in formulating annual business plans, monitoring and reporting


• Significant experience in driving improvement and delivering results against clear and measurable targets and standards


• Experience of change leadership and continuous improvement, delivering programmes / projects across a diverse range of stakeholders


• Strong metric development, monitoring and compliance tracking skills, data management and insight. ·


• Strong experience of managing projects and responsibility for delivery of projects or other initiatives at a senior level.


• Experience of delivering sustainability programmes at a senior level


Finally, it goes without saying that you will share our passion for saving lives.

This complex and demanding job requires an experienced leader who is used to being targeted and delivering exceptional results. In return, you will be part of an extraordinary team and have the satisfaction of playing a significant role in driving forward the business of the RNLI: saving lives at sea.

We also run manufacturing facilities for our Inshore and All-Weather Lifeboats, as well as a network of retail outlets. We have the RNLI College in Poole, supporting the training of our Lifeboat crews and Lifeguards, which includes a hotel as part of it's facilities, that is also used to generate revenue for the RNLI. We also have a network of Support Centres around the UK and Ireland.


• Salary: £75,191 - £88,460 (dependent on experience)


• Flexible working


• 26 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays


• Outstanding pension scheme (contributions of up to 16% of basic salary)


• Life assurance


• Health and dental cashplan