Senior Head of Estates Operations

Job summary

Can you lead high-performing teams through complex operational change, delivering excellent workplace and facilities management services across a large and diverse estate?

Have you successfully managed complex supplier contracts and stakeholder relationships, using performance data and innovation to drive continuous improvement and exceptional customer service?

Are you a strategic and visionary leader with a background in hard services and the drive to shape the future workplace, ensuring safe, sustainable and compliant estate operations while supporting organisational transformation?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Estates Management Group has a wide remit of responsibility covering all Estates operational services, Health, Safety & Compliance, Sustainability and Business Continuity and Incident Management. We strive to create and maintain a safe, efficient and welcoming environment that supports the organisation’s people, services and visitors. As the department continues its transformation and evolves its approach to managing workplace and facilities services, the team plays a central role in delivering high-quality operational outcomes across a diverse estate.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, suppliers and key stakeholders, the team oversees a broad range of services that enable the estate to operate effectively and sustainably. With a strong focus on innovation, customer experience and continuous improvement, the department is driving positive change to meet the needs of a modern, hybrid-working organisation. The team combines strategic thinking with operational excellence, ensuring services are compliant, resilient and aligned to future business requirements while delivering value for money and supporting organisational objectives.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA:

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing estates operations across the DVLA, ensuring the delivery of safe, sustainable and customer-focused workplace services whilst also sitting within the DVLA’s wider Senior Leadership Team. Leading teams, suppliers and key stakeholders, the postholder will drive service excellence, continuous improvement and operational efficiency. The role spans Hard and Soft FM, Project Management, Travel and Security services, helping to shape the future workplace and deliver an exceptional environment for colleagues, visitors and partners.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

1. Lead a team of workplace specialists who are responsible for estates contract management (hard and soft services) and project delivery across the DVLA.
2. Working with the Head of Health & Safety to ensure a fully compliant approach to all estates related activities and projects to maintain a fully compliant estate.
3. Instigate and deliver an improved culture of customer service throughout the Estates Management team, ensuring a continuous improvement, culture development and a positive approach to change across all Department’s operations and activities
4. Ensuring all Estates strategic contracts deliver to the standards set, and provide innovation and added value, enabling quality services across the estate. Includes facilities management services for Hard FM (including M&E and building maintenance, grounds maintenance and projects) and Soft FM (including cleaning, catering, waste management and pest control) and an Estates Helpdesk. Using performance data and statistics to drive operational improvements.
5. Support the team in the delivery of a comprehensive annual programme of varied lifecycle replacement and major works projects.
6. Advance and support the Department’s organisational and cultural change programmes by, for example:

• Promoting changes and leading teams through the change process
• Delivering and monitoring the benefits brought by change
• Building team and management capability to be fit for the future
• Creating a culture that supports an environment of accountability and future proofs the workforce.

7. Support the Deputy Director, Estates Management Group, in developing and delivering a robust Estates Strategy and other areas of strategic estates management as required.

8. Ensure colleagues and contractors adhere to Data Protection, Security, Health & Safety policies and understand relevant contractual requirements.

9. To promote and maintain good working relationships with a broad range of key stakeholders internally and externally including the Department for Transport, the Government Property Agency and the TUS.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile.Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

1. Demonstrate significant experience of leading and developing high-performing teams, managing operational activities across a complex estate or facilities management environment, and delivering results through others while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and customer service excellence.
2. Provide evidence of successfully managing complex Hard and Soft Facilities Management contracts, supplier relationships and service providers, using performance data and stakeholder feedback to drive operational improvements, whilst leading large-scale service transitions, mobilisation programmes or organisational change initiatives.
3. Demonstrate experience of developing and implementing estates or workplace strategies, building effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and influencing senior leaders, contractors and partner organisations to achieve business objectives.
4. Provide examples of ensuring compliance with Health & Safety, security, data protection and statutory requirements within a complex operational environment, while leading organisational change, developing capability within teams and supporting the delivery of long-term strategic objectives

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week, over 5 days.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Government Property Profession - Property & Professional Expertise
• Government Property Profession - Analytical Decision Making
• Government Property Profession - Stakeholder Engagement

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,501, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £20,134 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

1. Lead and develop high-performing estates, facilities, or operational teams.
2. Manage Hard and Soft FM services and external contractor performance.
3. Deliver strategic workplace and estates projects with key stakeholders.
4. Ensure compliance, lead change, and drive continuous improvement.

The sift will take place w/c 14/09/2026

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours – Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Changing & Improving, Communicating & Influencing
• Experience
• Technical – Property & Professional Expertise, Analytical Decision Making, Stakeholder Engagement

Technical skills will be assessed against - Government Property Profession career framework - GOV.UK

You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess the Behaviour Communicating & Influencing. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place from the 01/10/2026

This interview will be conducted in person at our Swansea office (DVLA, Longview Road, Morriston). Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert or the information on our website, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All external applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

• Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour
• Threats or acts of violence
• Illegal activity or substance misuse
• Sexually explicit material
• Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public. Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle - it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture. If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Cennydd Powell
• Email : cennydd.powell@dvla.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

Attachments

Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 229kB)