Estates Director

Leeds Castle, a stunning 900-year-old Grade 1 listed moated castle set in 990 acres of Grade II* listed parkland, is seeking a dynamic & visionary Estates Director. This iconic heritage site, open to the public since 1976, continues to enchant visitors as a glamorous retreat and popular attraction.

Job Purpose:

As Estates Director, you will develop & deliver an ambitious Estates strategy, ensuring optimum land use, environmental sustainability & biodiversity enhancement. You will maintain excellent standards of presentation & conservation of buildings, grounds, gardens & golf course, ensuring safe & legally compliant operations. You will also ensure excellent service is provided to both guests & internal Leeds Castle customers

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and gain approval for a holistic Estates Strategy, embedding a 5-year project pipeline in the Leeds Castle Business Plan.
• Optimise land use to meet conservation, financial, environmental & biodiversity objectives.
• Working with Deputy Head of Estates, Capital Projects Manager, and external consultants to ensure major projects are well-planned and delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Ensure safety & legal compliance in collaboration with Fire, Health & Safety Manager, and work with the Security Manager to protect estate assets and manage emergency procedures.
• Monitor and reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions, supporting the journey to Net Zero, and enhance habitat and biodiversity in collaboration with the Gardens & Grounds Manager and Falconry & Wildlife Manager.

The Candidate:

We are looking for a candidate with a degree in a relevant discipline and at least 5 years of experience in a senior Estates role. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in leading Hard and Soft Services, Security, Gardens, Grounds, Biodiversity, and major project management.

They should have a good appreciation of the constraints and opportunities of working in a heritage, listed environment, and extensive experience in leading Health & Safety and legal compliance.

Personal Qualities:

• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, relationship, and partnership-building skills.
• Strategic and analytical mindset, with a curiosity for the latest best practice.
• Commercial mindset, pragmatic and flexible in approach.
• Customer-focused (both external and internal).
• Organised, with keen attention to detail.
• Confident and professional communicator, both written and verbal.
• Collaborative and creative thinker, innovative and questioning.
• Strong team player, respecting the skills and expertise of others.
• Empathetic and people-focused, strong leader.
• Committed to promoting diversity and inclusion across all work.

For further information and details on how to apply, please visit

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

William Pringle

Partner, Head of Charity, Arts, Culture & Heritage Practice

Berwick Partners

View phone number on jobs.theguardian.com / View phone number on jobs.theguardian.com View email address on jobs.theguardian.com

Closing date for applications: Friday 28th February 2025