Job title: Head of Estates

Team: Estates

Department: Department of Finance

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

Grade: 1

Salary: £96,130-106,108 per annum (plus car allowance and market allowance)

Base: Gravesend, Kent

Closing date: 20 June 2025

Interview date: 1 July 2025

Who we are:

The Port of London Authority (PLA) is the UK’s biggest port, central to the country’s economy and ambitions for growth. We connect the UK to the world, but we are much more than a conventional port.

We are driven by our purpose to protect and improve the 95 mile stretch of the River Thames which is tidal – from Teddington Lock on the border of Surrey, through the heart of London, Kent, Essex and out to the North Sea.

The role:

The role holder will lead a team of six and be responsible for estate management across the PLA which includes the existing estate with PLA & third-party occupation, river works license consideration and acquisitions.

The successful candidate needs to be dynamic and enthusiastic with a level of entrepreneurial ability and the willingness to take a hands-on approach. This is a diverse role and looking at industrial sites and river structures is something the candidate will need an enthusiasm for.

The role requires someone who is a problem solver, likes a challenge and is a skilled negotiator. Our customer base ranges from large shipping terminals to house-boat owners to local authorities and Transport for London. The ability to be able to develop and build relationships is key. This role will work closely with the CFO and is a key role in the senior management team.

Part of the PLA's strategy is to diversify its income stream and encourage greater use of the river. In the context of this role that means that there have been some recent land acquisitions adjoining the Thames which brings old Wharves back into use. The Head of Estates will be instrumental in driving this strategy, from identification of sites, to assessing the feasibility for future benefit and seeing the transaction through to completion. This will require someone who can work up a business case but also can walk a site and understand the potential pitfalls of its structural make up and appoint an operator to lease the site and bring it back into use.

Benefits package:

• 30 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Generous pension
• Onsite parking with electric charging
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Car-leasing scheme (Tusker Cars)
• Access to MyGymDiscounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Steven Lockwood, Chief Financial Officer (steven.lockwood@pla.co.uk).

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.