Senior Estate Manager - National Trust : Job Details

We’re looking for a Senior Estate Manager to join us in Cumbria where you’ll be responsible for leading the estate management and rural surveying service across the Lake District portfolio.

You’ll be accountable for residential and commercial properties in the county, manage our agricultural rental estate, and offer technical advice and support on land management to our General Managers, key property staff, and consultancy colleagues.

You’ll be an experienced rural practice Chartered Surveyor with a modern and progressive approach to land management. Acting as the main connection with our tenants and partners, you’ll handle the portfolios professionally, making sure to maintain open communication and stay updated on industry trends.

As this role covers the Lake District, your contractual place of work will be the nearest National Trust consultancy office to your home. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.  

This role looks after some rural properties, some with very limited access via public transport. You'll be required to travel to different locations across the portfolio, sometimes at short notice, please keep this in mind when applying. 

Reporting to the Regional Head of Let Estate, you’ll lead a very busy and highly professional team consisting of Estate Managers, Building Surveyors, Building Supervisors, General Tradespeople, Lettings and Estate Management Officers. 

The team collaborates to manage our rental properties in Cornwall, which help generate around £50 million in national rental income. Our strong relationships with tenants are vital for our conservation efforts. This role provides a diverse range of tasks in beautiful locations, ensuring that each day is unique. You will engage in both strategic planning and daily operations, and you’ll have opportunities to offer your expertise beyond your immediate team. 

We take pride caring for a significant landholding in Cornwall, including much of the coastline from Bude in the north to the Tamar in the south. Our responsibilities span 8 property portfolios, covering over 10,000ha of let land, >200 residential homes, and a diverse collection of commercial properties, along with our own holiday rental portfolio.

Working across portfolios you will have responsibility for the let estate and the team that manage it, and with a significant input into the in-hand areas of the estates. You will work closely with Trust property and advisory staff to make a real and lasting difference to the long-term environmental sustainability of our land, and the commercial and environmental success of the Trust’s cause. 

It’s a big, demanding job with substantial rental budgets, which you’ll be accountable for, and with a significant number of property assets to manage. We need you to deliver the visionary management approach these estates deserve and make a real difference to long-term commercial success, all in order to support the Trust’s strategic outcomes for nature, carbon and people.

As well as your team, you’ll have support to help you from our Property leadership teams, countryside specialists, regional and national specialists, as well as our tenants and external stakeholders.

Please also read the role profile attached to this advert.

As an experienced, qualified Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor. You’ll be adaptable and confident in turning your hand to all areas of estate management.

For this role, you’ll need to demonstrate;

•An innovative approach to estate management and the ability to spot opportunities or creative solutions

•In depth knowledge of conservation and environmental land management with a first class understanding of residential, commercial and agricultural tenancies

•The ability to foster a strong relationship with tenants and stakeholders, developing partnerships with a variety of audiences, and excellent negotiation skills.

•Strong people management and leadership skills with experience of staff development and performance management 

•Strong project management skills, including experience of managing projects

•A high level of financial acumen and strong experience of managing large budgets

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

•Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

•Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

•Rental deposit loan scheme

•Season ticket loan

•EV car lease scheme 

•Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

•Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

•Flexible working whenever possible

•Employee assistance programme

•Free parking at most Trust places

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.