The role of an NHS Estates Manager is both challenging and rewarding, playing a pivotal part in ensuring the smooth running of healthcare facilities across the UK. Estates Managers are responsible for managing NHS property portfolios, overseeing building maintenance, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and leading estates teams to deliver cost-effective, high-quality services. With salaries ranging from £45,000 to £65,000 depending on experience and location, this is a significant leadership role within the NHS that demands a combination of technical expertise, management skills, and strategic vision.
Crafting an interview-winning CV for this role is crucial. With hundreds of applications often received for NHS managerial positions, your CV must stand out by demonstrating your achievements, qualifications, and suitability for the specific challenges of healthcare estates management. In this guide, I will walk you through creating a compelling CV, providing a template example, and offering advice for graduates, mid-career professionals, and senior managers.
Understanding the NHS Estates Manager Role
An NHS Estates Manager is tasked with ensuring that all NHS facilities operate efficiently and safely. Key responsibilities include:
Managing NHS property portfolios, including hospitals, clinics, and administrative buildings.
Overseeing building maintenance, refurbishments, and new constructions.
Ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
Developing and managing budgets, reducing costs while maintaining high standards.
Leading estates teams, contractors, and suppliers.
Implementing sustainability initiatives and energy efficiency measures.
Coordinating with senior NHS management on strategic estates planning.
The ideal candidate combines technical knowledge, leadership ability, and project management skills. Additionally, strong communication and problem-solving capabilities are essential for navigating the complex NHS environment.
Why a Strong CV Matters for NHS Estates Managers
In competitive recruitment rounds, your CV is your first opportunity to impress hiring managers. A strong CV:
Highlights your experience and achievements rather than just listing duties.
Demonstrates measurable results, e.g., reducing operational costs by X% or completing a major refurbishment ahead of schedule.
Shows alignment with NHS values, including patient safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Makes it easy for HR professionals to match your skills with the job description.
To stand out, it’s essential to tailor your CV specifically for the NHS Estates Manager role, rather than using a generic management CV.
Key Sections of an NHS Estates Manager CV
1. Personal Profile
Your personal profile is the first thing recruiters read, so make it concise, impactful, and tailored to the role. Highlight your key achievements, technical skills, and management experience. For example:
“Results-driven NHS Estates Manager with over 10 years’ experience managing healthcare facilities, delivering cost-saving initiatives, and leading high-performing estates teams. Proven track record in project management, regulatory compliance, and strategic estates planning.”
Include:
Years of experience in estates or facilities management
Leadership and team management skills
Specific achievements or recognitions
Alignment with NHS values
2. Key Skills
Use a bullet-point format to make your skills easy to scan. Include both technical and managerial skills:
Healthcare facilities management
Budgeting and cost control
Regulatory compliance (H&S, fire safety, environmental)
Project management and strategic planning
Team leadership and staff development
Sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives
Contract negotiation and supplier management
3. Professional Experience
When detailing your work experience, focus on achievements rather than duties. Use action verbs and quantify results wherever possible. For example:
NHS Trust Estates Manager, London – Jan 2018 to Present
Led a team of 25 estates staff to maintain hospital operations across 5 sites.
Successfully managed a £10 million refurbishment project, completed 3 months ahead of schedule.
Implemented energy efficiency measures saving £200,000 annually.
Achieved 100% compliance with all H&S inspections and audits.
For each role, include:
Job title and organisation
Dates of employment
Key achievements
Relevant responsibilities
4. Education and Qualifications
For NHS Estates Managers, qualifications in building services, facilities management, or engineering are often required. Examples include:
BSc in Facilities Management or Civil Engineering
NEBOSH Health & Safety Certification
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) accreditation
Include relevant professional development courses and NHS-specific training.
5. Achievements and Awards
Highlight recognitions that demonstrate excellence, such as:
Employee of the Year award for operational excellence
Successful implementation of sustainability initiatives
Recognition for cost-saving projects or major refurbishments
6. References
It’s optional to include references in your CV; you can simply state “References available on request.”
NHS Estates Manager CV Template Example
Personal Profile:
Results-driven NHS Estates Manager with over 10 years’ experience managing healthcare facilities, delivering cost-saving initiatives, and leading high-performing estates teams. Proven track record in project management, regulatory compliance, and strategic estates planning.
Key Skills:
Healthcare facilities management
Budgeting and cost control
Regulatory compliance (H&S, fire safety, environmental)
Project management and strategic planning
Team leadership and staff development
Sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives
Contract negotiation and supplier management
Professional Experience:
NHS Trust Estates Manager, London – Jan 2018 to Present
Led a team of 25 estates staff across 5 sites.
Managed a £10 million refurbishment project, completed ahead of schedule.
Implemented energy efficiency measures saving £200,000 annually.
Achieved 100% compliance with all H&S inspections and audits.
Facilities Manager, NHS Trust, Manchester – Jun 2012 to Dec 2017
Oversaw maintenance of multiple healthcare buildings.
Developed and implemented preventative maintenance schedules, reducing downtime by 15%.
Coordinated contractors and suppliers, ensuring projects were delivered on time and within budget.
Education:
BSc Facilities Management, University of Manchester
NEBOSH Health & Safety Certification
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Member
Achievements:
Employee of the Year award for operational excellence
Successful implementation of trust-wide sustainability initiatives
Recognised for delivering projects under budget and ahead of schedule
General Tips for NHS Estates Manager CVs
CV Structure:
Keep your CV to 2 pages maximum for mid-level roles, 3 pages for senior management.
Use clear headings and bullet points for easy readability.
Tailor each CV to the specific NHS Trust and job description.
Advice for Graduates:
Highlight internships, placements, or volunteering in facilities or estates management.
Emphasise relevant academic projects or dissertations.
Include transferable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and project planning.
Advice for Middle and Senior Management:
Focus on leadership achievements and measurable results.
Include strategic projects, cost-saving initiatives, and team management experience.
Showcase your understanding of NHS policies, regulations, and sustainability initiatives.
Do’s and Don’ts on a CV:
Do’s:
Tailor your CV to the role and NHS Trust
Use quantifiable achievements
Keep formatting clean and professional
Highlight leadership and project management skills
Include relevant qualifications and certifications
Don’ts:
Don’t list generic duties without achievements
Avoid long paragraphs; use bullet points
Don’t exaggerate experience or skills
Avoid cluttered formatting or excessive graphics
Don’t forget to proofread for errors
Final Thoughts
An NHS Estates Manager CV is your gateway to a rewarding career leading healthcare facilities and teams. By clearly demonstrating your technical skills, management experience, and measurable achievements, you position yourself as the ideal candidate for NHS recruiters. Remember, your CV should be tailored, concise, and results-focused, reflecting both your professional expertise and commitment to NHS values.
To truly maximise your chances of landing interviews, it’s wise to have an expert review and refine your CV and LinkedIn profile. Over my 25 years as a UK-based career coach, I’ve helped hundreds of professionals transform their applications into interview-winning documents.
Take Action Now: Book an appointment today to have your CV and LinkedIn profile optimised by experts and step confidently into your next NHS Estates Manager role. Book Your Appointment Here
