Job Summary: Senior Estate Manager (Estate Programme)

The V&A Museum is seeking a Senior Estate Manager to spearhead the next phase of its ambitious estate development programme. Based primarily at the iconic Cromwell Road site, this role is pivotal during a period of historic expansion, including the opening of new sites in East London. You will be a key driver of the museum’s Net Zero targets, overseeing technical projects that modernize historic infrastructure while managing a comprehensive portfolio of planned maintenance. This is a Fixed-Term Contract for a strategic leader who balances a passion for heritage architecture with the technical rigour of modern sustainability standards.

Requirements and Skills

Estate Programme Expertise: Proven experience in managing complex, large-scale estate programmes, preferably within a heritage or “Grade I” listed building environment.
Sustainability Focus: Strong technical understanding of decarbonisation and net-zero initiatives as applied to historic structures.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple workstreams, from planned preventative maintenance (PPM) to major capital works.
Financial Oversight: Capable of operating with financial initiative and efficiency, ensuring projects are delivered on budget.
Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent communication skills to coordinate with internal curatorial teams, external contractors, and heritage bodies.
Adaptability: Comfort working in a high-profile public institution with a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects.

Role Overview

This role is about future-proofing one of the world’s most famous Victorian structures. You will sit at the intersection of heritage preservation and environmental innovation. Your primary focus will be delivering the “next phase” of estate works—transforming the V&A’s carbon footprint without compromising its architectural integrity. You will lead a team to ensure the museum remains a world-class visitor destination, balancing the immediate needs of a busy public site with the long-term strategic goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Delivery: Support and oversee the execution of the Estate Programme, ensuring all phases of work meet the museum’s high standards.
Net Zero Leadership: Lead specific projects aimed at hitting ambitious environmental and energy-efficiency targets.
Planned Maintenance: Work across the full portfolio of planned maintenance to preserve the museum’s historic and modern assets.
Compliance & Safety: Ensure all works comply with health and safety regulations and heritage protection laws.
Resource Management: Coordinate with the wider Estate team to allocate resources effectively across all V&A sites.

Salary and Premium Benefits

Salary: £58,000 – £61,500 per annum.
Annual Leave: 29 days plus bank holidays.
Culture: Free tickets to world-class V&A exhibitions and a 25% discount in V&A shops.
Commuting: Interest-free season ticket loans, rental deposit loans, and bicycle loans (with “Doctor Bike” free repairs).
Work-Life Balance: Flexible working options and a generous pension scheme.
Wellbeing: Subsidised staff canteen, Employee Assistance Programme, and staff diversity networks.

Diversity and Inclusion

The V&A is a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). They offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria and are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and subsequent employment.

Application Tip: Heritage vs. Innovation

Peer Note: The V&A’s buildings are as much a part of the collection as the objects inside them. When applying, highlight your ability to integrate modern MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) or Green Energy solutions into sensitive, historic fabrics. Showing that you can navigate “Listed Building Consent” while pushing for “Net Zero” will be your greatest asset here.

To apply for Company Website uk.linkedin.com.