Estates Operations & Capital Projects Manager

We’re looking for an experienced Estates & Project Manager to help shape and support the operational future of one of the UK’s most unique technical and scientific estates. Joining BRE at a time of significant growth and transformation, you’ll play a key role in ensuring our buildings, laboratories and infrastructure remain safe, compliant and operationally effective, while leading the delivery of estates-related capital projects and improvement programmes. This is a highly varied role combining operational estates management, project delivery, contractor management and compliance oversight within a complex technical environment that supports world-leading research, testing and innovation across the built environment sector. Help BRE make buildings safer and more sustainable! BRE aims to be the world’s leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world. Your role at BRE

Support the day-to-day management of BRE’s estate, ensuring buildings, infrastructure and operational services remain safe, compliant and fit for purpose
Lead the planning and delivery of estates-related projects including refurbishments, upgrades, compliance works and infrastructure improvements
Work closely with laboratory managers and operational stakeholders to minimise disruption and support business-critical activities
Support operational estates planning, maintenance coordination and prioritisation of works across the estate
Manage statutory and regulatory compliance including Health & Safety, CDM and building regulations
Oversee contractor, consultant and supplier performance, ensuring delivery against agreed SLAs, KPIs and governance standards
Manage project budgets, forecasting, reporting, risks and change control processes
Support procurement activity, Capex planning and business case development
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across estates operations, project delivery and estate resilience
Act as a key operational support to the Managing Director – Assurance on estates-related activities and issue resolution

What we are looking for

Proven experience within estates, facilities or operational building management environments
Strong project management experience, ideally supported by a recognised qualification such as PRINCE2 or APM
Sound knowledge of Health & Safety, CDM regulations and building compliance requirements
Experience managing contractors, consultants, suppliers and outsourced FM services
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work across operational and technical teams
Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple operational demands and projects simultaneously
Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, procurement activities and supplier performance
Experience working within large, complex or operationally sensitive estates environments would be advantageous
Exposure to laboratory, scientific, infrastructure or technical estates environments would be beneficial
Experience with CAFM systems, asset planning or sustainability/decarbonisation initiatives would be advantageous

Work Location This role is primarily site-based at our Watford campus due to the operational nature of the position and the need to support a live technical estate. However, some flexibility for occasional remote working may be available where operational requirements allow.

Our Recruitment Process Application & Screening

Once applications have been received, shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete an initial AI-supported screening interview as part of our recruitment process. AI Screening Interviews – 4th June 2026 to 18th June 2026

Selected candidates will be invited to complete an AI-supported screening interview to help us better understand their experience, skills and suitability for the role. Candidate Review – 19th June 2026

Our hiring team will review shortlisted candidates and select applicants to progress to the interview stage. First Stage Interviews – 22nd June 2026 to 6th July 2026

Successful candidates will be invited to attend an in-person interview at BRE’s Watford campus. We aim to provide feedback to all interviewed candidates throughout the recruitment process.

BRE Benefits At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development. Financial & Security Benefits

Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution

Life assurance – 4x your basic salary

Enhanced maternity package Health & Wellbeing

HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more

Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points Career Development

Learning & development – Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform

Professional membership reimbursement For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefits

Note to Employment Agencies At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means. Equal Opportunities Statement BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Department Estates Locations Watford Yearly salary £65,000 Employment type Full-time

CONTACT Sian Rouse Resourcing Partner – People

About BRE BRE contributes to a thriving and sustainable world by developing science-led solutions to built environment challenges. Our vision is to be the world-leading innovation, science, and data hub for the built environment. We’re ambitious in terms of quality and global scope. We want governments and commercial markets to recognise us and demand our services, products and solutions. We want to be world-class, innovative, science-led and provide solutions. Founded in 1921 Co-workers 500+