Estates Management

Temporary 12 Weeks Inside IR35

Ribble Recruitment is supporting a Local Authority in the recruitment of an Interim Estates Manager to provide cover for a permanent vacancy within the Property service.

This is a senior operational role responsible for the day-to-day management of the council's non-housing property portfolio, with direct line management responsibility for professional surveyors and oversight of all routine and reactive estate management activity.

• Start Date: 10 February 2026
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Location: Grays, Essex (minimum 2 days per week office-based)
• Rates:
• PAYE: £55.30 per hour
• Umbrella/Ltd: £74.32 per hour

The Interim Estates Manager will provide operational leadership across the non-housing estate, ensuring assets are managed efficiently, compliantly, and in line with council policies. You will act as the key point of contact for estate management matters, oversee landlord and tenant activity, and manage risk, income protection, and service delivery.

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the council's non-housing property portfolio
• Line manage two Estates Surveyors, including workload allocation, performance management, appraisals, and quality assurance
• Oversee landlord and tenant matters including:
• Rent reviews
• Lease renewals and re-gears
• Lease terminations, licences, assignments, and enforcement
• Instruct and manage external professional advisers (agents, valuers, solicitors), ensuring value for money and quality of advice
• Act as the primary operational contact for tenants, internal services, and external stakeholders
• Manage competing priorities and respond to urgent or high-risk property issues
• Identify, manage, and escalate financial, legal, and reputational risks
• Support income protection and financial performance through effective lease management
• Deputise for senior property management on operational matters where required

• Proven experience managing a commercial or non-housing property portfolio
• Strong background in estate management within a local authority or public sector environment
• Experience line managing professional surveyors
• Sound knowledge of landlord and tenant legislation and best practice
• Ability to manage risk, resolve disputes, and protect income
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to deal confidently with tenants, members, and senior stakeholders
• Strong understanding of health & safety, data protection, and governance requirements

• Data Protection Level 1 training
• MRICS or working towards professional accreditation

• Date: 4 February 2026
• Format: Online
• Platform: Microsoft Teams

Candidates must:

• Have the right to work in the UK
• Provide a CV
• Provide 3 years' employment history and references
• Complete a confidentiality agreement
• Complete a criminal convictions declaration