The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

These are exciting times for the charity, and we have an excellent opportunity for a proactive, ambitious and professional individual with outstanding leadership and planning skills to lead our busy Estates Department into the future. As Head of Estates, you will be responsible for the strategy, operations, and compliance of The Donkey Sanctuary’s estate – putting the welfare and safety of our donkeys, people and supporters at its heart. Sharing our vision and values, you will collaborate with our Farms and Ecology teams to support our Land Management approach which benefits donkey welfare, and will work with our charity leadership team to support the development of a new estates and sustainability strategy, delivered through a planned programme of works that will future-proof our built estate across multiple sites in the most effective, efficient and sustainable way, through capital development, asset renewal and maintenance.

About you:

• A professionally qualified member of RICS or equivalent.
• A proven track record of senior management experience in large organisation estates.
• Evidenced experience of delivering and reporting within key regulatory frameworks of contracts and legislation including procurement, health and safety, planning, property and construction and other relevant statutory regulations.
• Evidence of successfully managing complex large-scale projects, and able to analyse complex problems and balance conflicting priorities to devise solutions and present them in a coherent and persuasive manner.
• Able to achieve performance targets and implement forward thinking solutions within financial constraints with a sound underpinning of effective financial control and management controls.
• Demonstrable leadership skills with evidence of managing large teams with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong fiscal understanding and ability to deliver accurate budgets and forecasts that deliver best value for money.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Ownership of, and responsibility for, the Estates operational strategies and prioritisation of activities, and acting as the Charity lead on all land and property matters.
• Leadership and accountability for property, capital development, maintenance and improvements and sustainability, by ensuring procurement processes, project and cost planning and budget monitoring is rigorously undertaken, and appropriate project management arrangements are in place.
• Ensuring that the estate is developed and managed in a sustainable manner to achieve continual improvement in environmental performance.
• Developing and supporting the Estates Teams to ensure that all understand their contribution to the organisation’s strategic objectives. Setting and maintaining clear performance standards and targets, inspiring and leading the Estates staff and managers.
• Implementing and progressing reporting mechanisms that work to improve assurance levels and informing senior management, Executives and Trustees with particular regard to risk, compliance, performance, quality and finance.
• Regularly reviewing and adjusting (where required) the Estates budget, ensuring it is accurately forecasted and informed by latest information and data.
• Ensuring that all contracted work is carried out in the most cost-effective manner, on time and to the right quality and governance requirements.

What we offer in return:

Based At Weston Farm, Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, 08.00-16.30, Monday-Friday.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance (4 times annual salary).

Sickness income protection (50%).

BUPA Healthcare cover.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long service awards.

Healthshield plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 8 December 2024. 

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.