National Trust
Estate Manager
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Summary
We’re looking for an experienced Estate Manager to join our Estates team and manage a diverse and significant rural property portfolio across Sussex and Kent. You will help to deliver the Trust’s ambitions for nature, climate, heritage conservation and public benefit while maximising sustainable income from our estates.
To be considered for this role you must hold full MRICS membership through the Rural Pathway. Applications from candidates who do not hold this qualification cannot be considered.
This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months. Applications for part-time working will be considered.
What It's Like To Work Here
This is a great opportunity to manage a diverse portfolio of let estates across Sussex and Kent. Working across farmland, countryside estates, heritage sites and environmental assets, you'll enjoy a varied and rewarding role with real impact. As part of a collaborative team of estate, conservation and rural specialists, you'll help shape the long-term future of these places.
As this role covers the Sussex and Kent region, your contractual place of work will be our Scotney Castle office. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.
What You'll Be Doing
You’ll combine commercial estate management with conservation, working across agricultural, residential and commercial property. You’ll lead on landlord and tenant matters, including negotiating leases, licences and other property agreements. In particular, you’ll be focused on negotiating significant improvements that benefit nature recovery, biodiversity and wildlife.
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Working within a multi-disciplinary team including Building Surveyors and Estate Management and Lettings Officers, agriculture and nature specialists, property teams and farm tenants, you will deliver ambitious estate management objectives.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who We're Looking For
You’ll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale:
- MRICS qualified (Rural Pathway) - mandatory requirement.
- Experience in rural estate management.
- Knowledge of rural property, landlord and tenant matters, agriculture and land use.
- Experience managing estate management issues, including rent reviews, lease renewals and negotiations.
- Commercial awareness and ability to identify opportunities to improve estate performance.
- Experience working with tenants, stakeholders, partners and professional advisers.
- Ability to analyse information, apply professional judgement and provide practical solutions.
The Package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
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National Trust place
Scotney Castle (AO), Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 8JN
Documents
- [Estate Manager - Grade 5.pdf](Estate Manager - Grade 5.pdf)
- [Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK](Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK)
Additional Information
- Closing Date: 04 October 2026
To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.
If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk.
If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our [supporting you page](supporting you page).
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
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