Built Asset Manager

Overview

Forestry England manages some of the nation's most diverse and valuable built and natural environments. Within the West District, this includes everything from visitor centres and operational forestry buildings to listed heritage assets and scheduled monuments.

We are seeking a Built Asset Manager to bring leadership, structure and oversight to a complex estate of approximately 200 built assets.

The estate covers Shropshire, Wiltshire and Cornwall; however, the role operates on a hybrid basis (3 days in the office) with only occasional travel required.In addition to flexible working, you will benefit from 35.5 days annual leave (increasing annually) and a 28.97% employer pension contribution, making this one of the strongest benefits packages in the market.

Your new role

Based at the Coleford office (Forest of Dean), you will lead the Building & Projects team and oversee building compliance, safety and programme coordination across the West District.

You will also have occasional travel to the Exeter office, with travel supported via pool car access.

This is not a technical surveying role. Instead, you will provide leadership, coordination and assurance, working closely with qualified Building Surveyors and support a network of approximately 40 Building Managers across the estate.

Key responsibilities include

• Leading and developing a team of 5-6 staff, including Building Surveyors and support roles
• Taking ownership of statutory compliance and building safety, addressing current backlog
• Coordinating building management across a large estate while maintaining consistency and control
• Managing budgets and improving financial planning and funding justification
• Strengthening governance, processes and reporting
• Escalating risks and compliance issues to senior leadership
• Supporting major capital delivery, including a £12m programme

Estate & Portfolio

• Approx. 200 built assets across the West District
• Visitor centres, cafés and public-facing facilities
• Operational forestry sites and offices
• Listed buildings and historic structures
• A small residential portfolio (approx. 6 properties)

About you

We are looking for a credible and structured leader who can take ownership of a function and bring clarity and control.

You will bring

• Experience leading teams within multi-site estates, property, or project environments
• Strong knowledge of building compliance and safety requirements
• Budget management and programme oversight experience
• Ability to work across departments and influence non-specialist stakeholders

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Desirable (not essential)

• MRICS / AssocRICS / BIFM (IWFM)
• Built environment or surveying background

What this means from you

This is a role where you can take real ownership of a critical function within a nationally significant organisation, with the opportunity to shape outcomes and drive meaningful change.

You will be trusted to lead across a complex estate, working with a high degree of autonomy while being supported by an experienced and collaborative team. The role offers exposure to a diverse portfolio, allowing you to develop both strategic oversight and practical impact across building compliance, safety and asset management.There is clear opportunity to strengthen processes, improve governance, and influence long-term asset management strategy, giving you a visible and valued role within the organisation.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to

• Stabilise and improve a critical function
• Introduce stronger processes and accountability
• Influence long-term asset management strategy
• Contribute to the stewardship of nationally important environments
• Work flexibly through a hybrid model (3 days in office)
• Benefit from a £48,000-£50,000 salary, 35.5 days annual leave, and a 28.97% Civil Service pension
• Build a clear pathway for your own long-term career development

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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