Estate Manager – West Dorset
Working Pattern – Full-time, average of 40 hours per week. On-call when required
£65,000 - £85,000 per year. DOE
Company pension, travel expenses and company discount
No accommodation available at present
Working for an established, passionate business who are always looking to invest and improve
West Dorset and Somerset
Essential Criteria:
- Demonstrate previous experience and understanding of land management, planning and improvement
- Experience of leading and managing a team with varying skills and passions
- The highest attention to detail
- Love of West Dorset
An exciting and varied opportunity has arisen for the position of a Full-Time Estate Manager to join our enthusiastic team based in West Dorset with additional land in Somerset.
Our Estate
Our 900-acre, privately owned estate, which includes land in Dorset and Somerset, comprises grassland and woodland with farming tenants. It also includes agricultural buildings and residential properties. The estate includes three different operations: a 300-acre farm in Somerset, a newly purchased 200-acre farm in Somerset, and a 400-acre farm in Dorset. We uphold the highest standards across the estate, prioritising amenity, environmental, and sporting values.
Your Role
You will be the first point of contact and be responsible for the smooth running of the estate. Working closely with the owner, you will plan and execute a management plan for all the estate's farms, properties and activities, including environmental stewardship. Roles and responsibilities will include;
· Managing the estate team, including our experienced Senior Estate Worker, his part-time team, a groom, our finance and property team.
· Liaise with our Finance and Farm Office staff to ensure the estate administration remains controlled. Also, working closely with our external finance support
· This is a hands-on role where you will be supporting the team with daily estate duties alongside the coordination and management of the estate
· Working closely with the owner to develop and implement farm plans, budgets and targets.
· Oversee maintenance of farm infrastructure, including groundworks and some buildings
· Oversee the residential properties, including liaising with land agents, buyers and advisors
· Organise and schedule all contractors’ work across all sites
· Undertake proactive management and assessments of health and safety standards across the estate
· Embrace further acquisitions.
Your Requirements
· A full UK Driving license
· Proof of UK right to work
· Posses excellent communication skills, building a strong relationship with all team members to achieve high-level results
· Be able to adapt to different situations, with high attention to detail and organisation skills
· Strong financial management skills for overseeing budgets, delivering plans, and ensuring the estate's long-term financial sustainability
· Demonstrate a proven track record of effectively running a large estate and managing a team
· Show previous knowledge of pasture, hedgerow and stock management
· Be respectful, reliable, and calm under pressure, ready to help move the business forward
· Good IT skills, above all the Microsoft packages
· Love of dogs and horses
· A qualification in real estate, property management, business administration or agricultural management is useful but is not essential.
Our location
Our farms are set in various locations in the stunning West Dorset and Somerset countryside, all within a few miles of the breathtaking Jurassic coast.
If you think you could join our team as an Estate Manager, then please get in touch.
Applications with a cover letter will receive priority.