Our client is seeking an experienced and driven Head of Estates to lead a flagship residential development in South East London.

This role sits within a large, high-profile estate currently undergoing a complex recovery and re-mobilisation following a major incident. This is not a steady-state environment; the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in stabilising operations, restoring estate performance, and preparing the development for full re-occupation.

Working closely with contractors, consultants, and key stakeholders, you will lead the estate through an active recovery phase, maintaining operational control while remediation and improvement works progress.

This is a high-impact, visible leadership opportunity offering genuine ownership of a complex scheme and the chance to deliver meaningful improvements across operations, safety, resident experience, and long-term asset performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day estates and facilities management operations, ensuring a safe, compliant, and well-maintained environment
• Take ownership of re-mobilisation activities, including oversight of asset readiness, system status, and operational control
• Manage hard and soft FM services including M&E maintenance, cleaning, security, waste and public realm
• Oversee planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and contractor performance
• Work closely with M&E contractors, consultants, and construction teams to ensure systems are safe, compliant, and operationally ready
• Maintain control of the estate during a live works / contractor-heavy environment, ensuring clear accountability and safety standards
• Lead on health & safety, fire safety, and statutory compliance across the site
• Act as the key point of contact for stakeholders, including residents (when reoccupied), client representatives, and delivery partners
• Manage and develop a multi-disciplinary on-site team, driving performance, accountability, and engagement

Your Experience:

• Proven experience in a senior estates or operations role within large-scale residential or mixed-use developments (BTR, PRS, or similar)
• Experience of mobilisation, handover, or managing complex / recovering estates
• Strong understanding of facilities management and building systems (M&E), including PPM regimes and contractor-led maintenance
• Experience working alongside contractors, developers, or within construction or handover environments
• Excellent track record managing contractors, service partners, and on-site teams
• Strong knowledge of health & safety, fire safety, and compliance frameworks
• Ability to operate confidently in a fast-paced, evolving environment, maintaining control and prioritising risk
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Please call me on or connect with me on LinkedIn (Johan Keutcha) and send me a message there.