Built Estate Manager - RAF Croughton

Join us as a Built Estate Manager and take ownership of the safe, compliant and efficient delivery of facilities management and maintenance services across a key Defence estate. This is a highly visible leadership role where you'll oversee operational performance, manage stakeholder relationships and ensure that statutory, contractual and Ministry of Defence requirements are consistently achieved.

Working at the centre of estate operations, you'll lead maintenance delivery, manage supply chain partners, oversee health and safety compliance and act as a trusted advisor to both customers and operational teams. You'll be responsible for ensuring planned, reactive and billable works are delivered to the highest standards while balancing operational priorities, commercial performance and customer expectations.

This is an opportunity to make a real impact in a complex and fast-paced environment. You'll work closely with Defence Infrastructure Organisation representatives, operational teams, contractors and end users, providing technical leadership and ensuring the estate remains safe, compliant and fit for purpose. If you thrive on accountability, enjoy leading people and are passionate about delivering excellent service, this role offers the opportunity to develop a rewarding career within one of the UK's most significant Defence infrastructure contracts.

What You'll Bring

You'll hold an HND in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience gained through a successful career in estate management, facilities management, construction, engineering or property maintenance.

You'll have proven experience managing operational delivery within a property maintenance, construction, facilities management or engineering environment. You'll be confident leading teams, supervising contractors and ensuring services are delivered safely, compliantly and in line with performance expectations.

A strong understanding of Safe Systems of Work is essential, along with practical knowledge of JSP 375 and the role it plays in maintaining compliance across Defence estates. You'll be comfortable implementing and overseeing health and safety processes, reviewing risk assessments and method statements, issuing permits where required and ensuring operational activities are completed in accordance with statutory and contractual requirements.

You'll have experience managing maintenance delivery, including planned preventative maintenance, reactive works and minor projects. Your ability to prioritise workloads, allocate resources and monitor performance will enable you to ensure targets, milestones and service levels are consistently achieved.

Strong contractor and supply chain management skills are key to success in this role. You'll be experienced in monitoring quality, safety, performance and value for money, ensuring contractors deliver against agreed standards while supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence.

You'll possess excellent commercial awareness and understand the importance of balancing customer expectations with budgetary control and contractual obligations. Experience managing budgets, supporting forecasting activities, monitoring costs and maintaining financial control would be highly beneficial.

As a leader, you'll be capable of motivating and developing teams through clear communication, effective coaching and strong decision-making. You'll create an environment where people are accountable, supported and focused on delivering excellent customer service and operational performance.

You'll be comfortable acting as a key point of contact for customers, Defence stakeholders and end users, building strong relationships and providing professional advice and support. Your communication and influencing skills will enable you to manage expectations, resolve issues effectively and build confidence in the services delivered.

A high level of IT literacy is required, including experience using Microsoft Excel and Word. Knowledge of asset management or CAFM systems such as Maximo would be advantageous, along with experience maintaining accurate operational records, analysing performance information and using data to drive improvements.

Experience within a Ministry of Defence environment would be highly desirable, as would knowledge of CDM Regulations, asbestos management, legionella compliance, sustainability initiatives and wider estate governance requirements. Professional memberships or qualifications in facilities management, asbestos management, legionella management, fire safety or health and safety would also be advantageous.

Most importantly, you'll be a proactive and solutions-focused leader who combines technical expertise with strong operational judgement. You'll take ownership of challenges, make sound decisions under pressure and maintain a relentless focus on safety, compliance, customer service and performance. Your ability to build trusted relationships, drive continuous improvement and lead by example will be critical to your success in this role.

This role may also require participation in an on-call rota to support operational requirements and ensure continued service delivery across the estate.