In this key leadership position, you will oversee the full spectrum of cyclical, statutory, and responsive maintenance across the Abbey’s remarkable estate. You will ensure that every project, from routine inspections to specialist conservation work, is delivered to the highest standards, compliant with heritage and legal requirements, and aligned with agreed budgets.
Working at the heart of a unique and inspiring environment, you will help safeguard the Abbey’s fabric, infrastructure, and facilities, ensuring they remain resilient, functional, and beautifully preserved for generations to come. This is an exceptional opportunity for a skilled estates professional to make a lasting impact on an iconic heritage setting.
What You’ll Do
- Oversee Planned & Cyclical Maintenance: Schedule, manage, and record all planned maintenance, including coordination with heritage specialists.
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Ensure Statutory Compliance: Lead inspections, testing, and certification processes, maintaining all required compliance documentation.
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Manage Responsive Repairs: Coordinate swift, cost-effective responses to urgent issues, ensuring minimal disruption and high-quality outcomes.
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Control Budgets & Procurement: Prepare and monitor budgets, manage procurement and quotations, and ensure value for money.
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Lead Teams & Contractors: Supervise Estates staff, manage contractor performance, and ensure safe, policy-compliant delivery of all works.
- Provide Clear Communication & Reporting: Produce regular performance and compliance reports, and liaise effectively with internal stakeholders.
Working Hours
The full time equivalent hours are 40 hours per week.
Onsite Arrangements
As a working church and a major visitor attraction, being present on site allows our teams to deliver exceptional experiences and maintain the unique atmosphere of the Abbey. Working on site each day is the default expectation for all staff to promote collaboration and connection.
Where a role is suited to remote working, staff may have the flexibility to work off-site for up to 40% of their time each week, with the remainder spent at the Abbey. To keep our teams strong and responsive, roles may require presence on specific days, and we need at least half of each team to be on site from Monday to Friday.
Annual Holidays
The full-time holiday entitlement is 33 days per annum, including recognised public holidays.
Training
On-site training will be provided in all aspects of the job. Any further training needs will be assessed through the probation period and in annual appraisals.
Staff Discount
All employees receive a 20% discount on purchases from the Westminster Abbey shop and a 30% discount on purchases from the take-away catering outlets
Pension Scheme and Life Assurance
All employees can join a Group Personal Pension plan, where the minimum employee contribution is 3% and the maximum employer contribution is 9% (as determined by the level of the employee contribution). You will be auto-enrolled into our qualifying workplace pension scheme after 3 months, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
All employees are covered by death-in-service life assurance, whether or not they choose to join the pension scheme.
Season Ticket Loan
A season ticket loan is offered after completion of the probationary period, repayable over 10 months.
Safeguarding
Westminster Abbey is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. To prevent them from harm, we undertake appropriate checks (including the relevant level of criminal record check) on staff and volunteers and require them to complete relevant safeguarding training. This post requires an enhanced level criminal record check.