National Trust
Estate Manager
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Summary
We are looking for an experienced Estate Manager to join the Estates team to 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
You'll join a supportive and collaborative Estates team, working alongside property, agricultural and environmental specialist colleagues from across the Trust.
In this role you’ll be working across a variety of beautiful estates such as Chartwell, North Kent Downs, Sheffield Park, Scotney and Bodiam Castles, Bateman’s and Sissinghurst on the High Weald, Birling Gap on the South Downs, Nymans and Winchelsea.
This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future management of nationally significant landholdings while delivering meaningful environmental, financial and community outcomes.
What You'll Be Doing
You will manage a diverse portfolio of agricultural, residential and commercial let property, leading landlord and tenant matters, building strong stakeholder relationships, and delivering environmental and financial outcomes. You will negotiate agreements, oversee budgets and projects, and provide professional estate management advice.
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.
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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
A Rural Practice MRICS
- Significant post qualification experience in rural estate management
- An excellent communicator, able to build relationships through negotiation and influence
- Strong financial acumen with experience of budget management, business planning, and delivering value
- Experience of balancing environmental, tenant and business objectives
- Practical knowledge of agricultural land use, conservation, sustainability and implementing land management for nature recovery and carbon outcomes
- MS Office literate and comfortable using GIS and finance management systems
- Strong project management skills, and experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects
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
Requirements
Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Additional information
Closing Date: 25 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.
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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