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Head of Workplace Operations -North East

Head of Workplace Operations -North East

  • Belfast
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • Leeds
  • Manchester
  • Newcastle-upon-Tyne
  • Nottingham

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  • Permanent
  • Closing on: Apr 16 2026
  • £71,725 - £79,481
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About the job

Job summary

Explore the world of HMRC Estates, where we lead the way in government property transformation. As a key player in one of the UK's largest property programmes, HMRC Estates offers safe, inclusive workplaces and exceptional career development opportunities. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality, user-friendly services that enable our colleagues to thrive in an environment where they truly belong. Watch the video below to meet some of our team and come and discover a career in your hands at HMRC.

Build a Career in Property with HMRC Estates

Estates is at the forefront of delivering one of the biggest property programmes and operations in the UK. We are the leading edge of Government property transformation and operational delivery.

The purpose of Estates & Locations is to provide HMRC with an estate which is the right size and shape to meet both its current and future needs of our HMRC colleagues and wider Government departments who use our spaces.

We are a customer centric team which exists to offer high quality, inclusive services to enable our colleagues to perform at their best by providing working environments in which they want to work.

Job description

Role Purpose
The purpose of this role is to manage and provide leadership and property technical guidance to the Grade 7 Heads of Estates for a defined area, typically comprising four or five regions.

The Regional Teams have responsibility for the operation of Regional Centres as well as varying numbers of satellite sites which include Specialist and Transitional sites.

This role is responsible for ensuring that safe and secure accommodation is provided to all our Customers, including other government department tenants. Accommodation and service provision should be addressed to specific Customer needs and should reflect those needs on a site-by-site basis but also in line with agreed SLAs and KPIs.

Service provision should be constantly reassessed against Customer feedback. This delivery is underpinned by Area-based Hard and Soft FM contracts and a National Security contract.

Responsibilities and Tasks
  • Line management of the Grade 7 Heads of Estates within the allocated Area, with specific focus on leadership, performance management and the achievement of property qualifications required for each role within the Regional Team.
  • Periodically review and develop team structures within each region in line with Estates organisation design principles, managing withing FTE and budget allocations.
  • Engagement with stakeholders and initiatives at a national level and the cascade and implementation of agreed outputs at a Regional level.
  • Close liaison with other Area Heads to ensure consistency at a national level and the sharing of best practise.
  • Close liaison with Operational Contract Management (OCM) & Support Services colleagues to ensure co-ordination between strategic and operational contract management.
  • Effective risk management including the monitoring and progression of actions arising from risk assessments across your region and pan Workplace Operations.
  • Achievement of all statutory compliance requirements across the teams collectively with each of the Heads of Estates in your region.
  • Definition, maintenance and testing of Business Continuity plans for all sites including the identification and remediation of physical asset resilience concerns.
  • Support HMRC Estate's mobilisation and implementation of the next generation hard and soft facilities management contracts and continued transformation of HMRC Estates.
  • Support the Heads of Estate in the resolution of issues arising within the Regional estate including developing their technical understanding of how properties operate and run.
  • Provide assurance as required on the completion of specified tasks.
  • Maintain a safe working environment across all sites addressing all health and risks.
  • Attend all appropriate governance forums.
  • Support the principles of Customer Service Excellence
  • Budgetary accountability and the management of allocations
Person specification

Specialist Knowledge and Experience
Although this role will have overall management responsibility for a group of Estates Teams, comprised of members each of whom is a specialist in their field, the leadership and customer focus credentials of the post holder are equally important to a broad range of Estates and building-related experience.

Specifically, the post holder should be able to provide recent relevant experience in;
  • Strong leadership and people management, demonstration of strong customer relationship management dealing with a diverse range of challenging stakeholders at a senior level.
  • Conversant with operating Building Management and Environmental Management Systems
  • A proven track record of operating at a strategic level delivering Estates Services across complex sites
  • A proven track record of excellent financial management
  • An experienced senior Estates professional with experience of managing a multi-disciplinary team
  • Proven track record of analysing and resolving problems, developing opportunities and implementing innovate solutions/approaches
  • Able to demonstrate personal self-development and development of team
  • Demonstration of high performing team work, implementing initiatives and working on own judgement and decisions
    Management of People.
The post holder will lead a multi-disciplinary group of Estates teams and provide clear and effective leadership, develop the teams' capability to a higher professional level and ensure succession planning and talent management, addressing under performance as necessary.
  • Line manage the Grade 7 Heads of Estates within the Area.
  • Lead on the recruitment and the selection of the team when required, to ensure the team are qualified and experienced
  • Ensure the team is properly managed and their performance reviewed, and the team is developed in their roles
  • Effective, timely communication across all the team.
  • Ensure effective communications across the whole of the Estates team.
  • Be responsible for driving continuous improvement and customer relationship management across the Estates team.
Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Memberships
  • Chartered Member of Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (CIWFM) - as a minimum
Learning Requirements
  • Essential to develop towards

    If not already held, you must be willing to obtain chartered member status of IWFM within 18 months either via the experience route or Level 6 IWFM qualification routeway.
Working Pattern

Due to operational needs, this post is full-time; however, applicants who need to work a more flexible arrangement are welcome to apply. We can't guarantee that we can meet all requests to work flexibly as any agreement will be subject to business ability to accommodate. Any request to work a more flexible arrangement should be made prior to your acceptance of the provisional offer.

Additional Security Information

This role requires the successful candidate to hold or be willing to hold Security Check (SC) clearance

Transitional Sites

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it's important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These sites are:
  • Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle
You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage

Leeds Location.

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Working Together
Benefits

Alongside your salary of £71,725, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £20,778 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
  • Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
  • Family friendly policies.
  • Personal support.
  • Coaching and development.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
  • A name-blind CV including details of your job history, giving a brief summary of what you delivered and any key achievements in each role and any qualifications.
  • A 750-word personal statement. Your personal statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, making reference to the essential criteria and person specification outlined in the advert
Sift

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the Personal Statement.

At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be assessed on Experience, Behaviours and Strengths.

Evidence of Experience:

During the panel interview, your Experience will be assessed in the form of a presentation to assess your knowledge and suitability for the role. You will be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation, further details regarding the presentation will be provided should you be invited to interview.

This is an example of a strengths-based question.

"It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

Interviews will take place via video link.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form . Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
  • Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

From 1 April 2026, applicants will be required to meet updated nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If this affects you, we will give you more information at the appropriate time.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:

Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window) .

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:
  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :
  • Name : Nicholas Head
  • Email : nicholas.head@hmrc.gov.uk
Recruitment team
  • Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.

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