Estate Manager

A rare opportunity to lead one of the Sussex High Weald’s most progressive private estates.

Wadhurst Park is seeking an Estate Manager to lead the management of this distinctive rural estate which has become a leading example of sustainable environmental management in the High Weald. It extends to approximately 2,100 acres of permanent grassland and woodland with associated houses and cottages.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced rural estate manager to provide strategic and operational leadership within a progressive estate environment. The successful candidate will support the family in stewarding the estate for the long term, while providing clear direction to the wider estate team.

The role

The Estate Manager will take overall responsibility for the management of Wadhurst Park Estate. The successful candidate will:

• Translate the estate’s vision, values and long-term ambitions into clear strategic plans and deliverable projects.
• Lead, motivate and develop a strong senior management team, promoting high standards of performance, communication and accountability.
• Establish effective management systems, policies, reporting arrangements and performance measures.
• Prepare and deliver the estate budget, maintain appropriate financial controls and identify opportunities to strengthen existing and new income streams.
• Take overall responsibility for health and safety, employee welfare and the development of a positive organisational culture.
• Have oversight of the estate’s property portfolio, including landlord and tenant matters.
• Maintain constructive relationships with tenants, neighbours, environmental organisations, suppliers, professional advisers and other community stakeholders.
• Lead the continuing development of environmental and estate management records, databases and information systems.
• Keep abreast of developments in conservation, ecology and the wider environmental sector.
• Protect and enhance the estate’s reputation as a responsible, thoughtful and effective organisation.

Although strategic leadership is central to the position, this is also a practical and varied role. The successful candidate will be expected to understand the detail of the estate’s operations, exercise sound judgement and ensure that agreed plans are translated into action.

The candidate

We are looking for a rural manager with the credibility, judgement and interpersonal skills required to lead this private estate.

The ideal candidate will offer:

• Broad property management experience.
• An understanding of budgets, financial planning and management accounts.
• Strong people management, leadership and motivational skills.
• Experience of management of estate information & data.
• A good working knowledge of health and safety, employment matters and property-related regulatory requirements.
• Strong communication, negotiation, influencing and reporting skills.
• Commercial awareness combined with an appreciation of long-term environmental stewardship.
• The ability to analyse business performance and communicate information clearly.
• A practical, hands-on approach and the ability to prioritise and deliver.
• Confidence, gravitas, discretion and credibility.
• A strategic outlook, supported by sound attention to detail.

The position would suit someone who combines professional rigour with tact, patience and emotional intelligence. Candidates should be comfortable working independently while also leading a team, consulting advisers and maintaining close communication with the family.

Why Wadhurst Park?

The estate is progressive in its approach and has significant potential at a time of considerable change across the rural sector. The new Estate Manager will have the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the enhancement and preservation of an important High Weald estate and to help establish it as an example for others seeking to enhance biodiversity and conserve the natural environment.