Interim Head of Estates - Nigel Wright Group : Job Details

The Opportunity:Nigel Wright Group has been appointed to support a well-established Public Sector organisation with the appointment of an Interim Head of Estates/Facilities Management to cover a vacancy through to February 2026.The opportunity would suit a Head of Estates/Facilities Management with experience from within the Public Sector, with a proven track record in leading high-performing estates and facilities teams across multiple sites.The Interim Head of Estates/Facilities Management will be required to work from the Houghton-le-Spring office at least 1–2 days a week. Site visits across South Tyneside, Sunderland and East Durham will also be required. Remote working is permitted for the remainder of the week.The successful candidate:The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of Estates and Facilities Management strategies and ensure statutory compliance, high-quality service delivery, and continuous improvement. They will explore ways to improve internal processes, procedures and contractor performance across the Trust, while supporting and mentoring school-based teams.The Interim Head of Estates/Facilities Management will have/be:

• Proven track record of leading a multi-site estates and facilities management service within the Public Sector or a regulated environment

• Extensive experience in developing, embedding and improving estates compliance systems, contract management processes and planned maintenance programmes

• A supportive and visible leader, able to coach and inspire on-site teams and embed a culture of high performance and continuous improvement

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage at all levels and influence across departments

• Experience of managing construction and capital projects, ensuring quality, value for money, and compliance with relevant regulations

• Sound working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation, building compliance, capital works, and contract tendering procedures

• Able to work across sites in the South Tyneside, Sunderland and East Durham area