Estates Manager

Benefits:

Salary:  £57,186 – £63,009 per annum, Grade 8

Hours:  Full Time – 37 hours per week

Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading

Excellent annual leave allowance of 30 days, flexible working, onsite gym, parking facilities and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available

Other information about our benefits can be found here

About the role:

Ensuring our staff have the right facilities to stay safe, support their wellbeing and ensure we can deliver the very best services to our communities is essential.

The Estates Manager is required to ensure our buildings meet the needs of a modern and high-performing emergency service. This means ensuring our current buildings are managed effectively and that we continue successful delivery of our Estates Development Programme supporting the delivery of new build and refurbishment projects.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is a progressive and community- focused organisation that works as one team to deliver services to the people of Royal Berkshire. We have an engaged and dedicated team of some 700 diverse and talented individuals, an inclusive culture as well as a commitment to the training, development and wellbeing of our people.

Our estate consists of 17 buildings ranging from modern tri-service blue-light bases to aging fire stations and training facilities. We operate from these to ensure our staff can deliver response, prevention and fire safety services to the people of Royal Berkshire.

About you:

RBFRS is a high performing, diverse and inclusive employer and we require a high performing individual for the role of Estates Manager. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience in delivering against strategies and a proven track record of realising tangible benefits and improvements.

The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering RBFRS’ ambitious 10 year Strategic Asset Investment Programme, will lead a highly motivated and talented team and make a real difference to the experiences of staff and the residents of Berkshire.

This role reports directly to the Head of Assets who is responsible for Estates, Fleet and Equipment.

The key focus of this role (Key Responsibilities and Deliverables) is:

• Leading and managing the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (RBFRS) Estates Function which includes Facilities Management and Property Capital Projects. This post is central to developing the estate to ensure fit for purpose workplaces for a modern and forward-thinking Fire and Rescue Service.
• Leading and overseeing the delivery of Capital Projects as described in the Fire Authority’s Strategic Asset Investment Framework (SAIF) and ensuring the maintenance, compliance, and development of the wider estate.
• Identify, develop and create appropriate policy, procedures and processes with regards to the management of the RBFRS Estate.
• Report to, and when required to do so, deputise for the Head of Assets in matters relating to the estate
• Work collaboratively across RBFRS and, where applicable, with external agencies and organisations with regards to the estates and facilities management.

Key role requirements (knowledge, skills and experience):

• (Formal degree qualification (Level 6 or above) in a property, construction, facilities related profession or, attained a NVQ Level 5 qualification, or equivalent with recent relevant experience in a property, construction, facilities related profession.
• Effective Management of significant budgets demonstrating actions to deliver improved value.
• Experience of delivering property related projects/programmes successfully.
• Management of contracts and the contract terms and conditions in the delivery of works, service and supply contracts.
• Knowledge and understanding of navigating procurement processes to deliver excellent value, including the drafting of technical specifications and using frameworks and other strategies where appropriate.
• Ability to manage effective working relationships with external contractors and internal departments to ensure excellent value and customer service.

Application and selection process

The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached.

The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.

If you are interested in applying for this position click Apply Now.

Please see the  Job Profile/Person Specification on application.

Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.   

For further details about the role or to simply discuss any adaptations or adjustments we can make to assist you in your application or with our recruitment process please contact Paul Brooks, Head of Assets at brooksp@rbfrs.co.uk to arrange an informal discussion.

Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CVs without an accompanying application form.

Closing date for applications is 17.00 hours on 12 January 2025

It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will commence from Thursday 23 January 2025

The selection process consists of two stages. 

Stage One 

First Interview – Behaviour, Values and Competency based interview. 

 Stage Two 

Second Interview – Competency based interview. 

Please note that is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying / accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge.

Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement

Our Commitments:

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity.  All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.

Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.

All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).

To find out more: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.

Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement.