Job summary
- Main area
- Estates
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 354-EF-20316
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Mill View
- Town
- Hove
- Salary
- £55,690 - £62,682 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 13/11/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Deputy Head of Estates
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
Due to the retirement of the current postholder, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Deputy Head of Estates to join the Estates and Facilities Directorate at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Reporting directly to the Head of Estates and Minor Works, you will be responsible for assisting with the strategic development and operational delivery of the full range of hard FM services across the Trust. This will include the management and provision of statutory, planned and reactive maintenance of assets, sites and buildings, ensuring efficient and reliable operations.
Educated to degree level (or have an equivalent professional qualification within a hard Estates Services related subject) you will have an in depth knowledge and experience in managing a large and complex Estate and be able to provide expert professional and technical support and advice on all aspects of hard facilities services to ensure the Trust complies with NHS guidance and statutory legislation.
The postholder will be a member of the Estates & Facilities senior operational management team, participating in the overall management of the Directorate’s activities and the achievement of the corporate objectives of the Trust.
The post holder will be required to participate in the Estates and Facilities On Call Rota.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be required to provide expert professional / technical advice on hard facilities services, policies and standards including the interpretation and application of policy legislation and guidance.
You will be accountable for delivery of high quality, timely and proactive hard services, to ensure the integrity of building fabric, building services and grounds across the Trust and those provided by Service Level Agreements and through third party contracts.
Establish, maintain, monitor and develop key performance indicators and set service levels and standards for hard facilities services, tailored to the requirements of the Trust service units.
Ensure all statutory and mandatory maintenance is completed and the appropriate certifications are in place.
Develop and operate a risk assessment and management system ensuring high standards and systems of work.
Be accountable for the daily management of Estates hard services staff.
Ensure effective emergency and out of hours estates services are in place and manage their delivery.
Working for our organisation
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of specialist services across south east England for people with mental health problems and learning disabilities. We care for people of all ages, from children and young people through to older people with conditions such as dementia.
We provide hospital and community mental health services from more than 160 locations across Sussex. Our estate covers a floor area of some 90,000 square meters which is about the size of 17 football pitches.
It is made up of:
∙ 49 Freehold properties
∙ 48 Leasehold properties, and
∙ 5 Private Finance Initiative (PFI) properties.
These include 45 inpatient wards and homes, with a total of 702 beds, some 73 community team bases and 30 corporate buildings.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Andy Lloyd, Head of Estates and Minor Works (Email: [email protected]).
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification, or the experience and proven ability to perform at this level
- A higher professional qualification or equivalent significant experience in a Estates Hard Services related subject
- Professional management training across an appropriate range of general management and professional subjects, including evidence of continuous professional development.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant senior management experience of large scale hard facilities/support services, preferably multi-site operations
- Estates services staff management experience across a range of disciplines. Measurable track record in involving and motivating staff to improve performance
- Detailed knowledge of Health Facilities/Support Services legislative guidance and operational requirements.
- In depth knowledge of national and Health Service legislative and operational requirements
- The management of resources and good track record with change management, efficiency savings and financial recovery plans.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge and experience of market testing, tendering process and contract negotiations and performance management
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good communication and presentation skills.
- The ability to build purposeful relationships with key partners, and staff throughout the Trust
- Well-developed interpersonal skills; able to negotiate and persuade people with a balanced consultative approach to implementing change and meeting objectives
- An open and facilitative style of leadership which can be adapted when necessary to ensure service delivery
- Good performance management skills combining clarity around expectations, direction and holding others to account.
Planning & Organisational Skills
Essential criteria
- Track record of effective budget management
- An ability to analyse complex problems, situations and information and present innovative and feasible solutions.
People Management/Leadership/Resources
Essential criteria
- Team orientated approach, able to work across organisation boundaries and interested and supportive of the work of colleagues
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Andy Lloyd
- Job title
- Head of Estates
- Email address
- [email protected]
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