Head of Portofolio Operations & Delivery in Devon
An excellent senior operational role overseeing a diverse property and development portfolio has come available.
This is such an exciting opportunity for someone to be a part of a dynamic family office and business. The ideal candidate will be responsible with the Head of Built Environment to oversee a diverse property portfolio including new builds, refurbishments, retrofits, heritage assets, commercial premises, and operational sites. The portfolio comprises of 30+ private and commercial properties. These estates include Grade II listed buildings through to modern developments and facilities.
They are looking for someone who will help move projects from concept to delivery with pace, clarity and alignment to the founder’s values, particularly in conservation, sustainability and long term stewardship.
The environment is fast‑moving and collaborative. Ideas evolve quickly, priorities shift, and therefore being adaptable is key. They will need to have key attributes such as having an analytical mind, that elasticity in thinking outside the box, being able to connect the dots to see the bigger picture, solutions‑driven and able to keep multiple plates spinning and moving simultaneously. The work culture in this family office is that they expect everyone to feel comfortable and willing to step outside formal responsibilities, if needed, and hence be a team player. The ideal candidate will thrive in this setting because no two days are the same!
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting the Head of Built Environment by way of sharing leadership responsibility and stepping into leadership where required.
- Work collaboratively to find solutions, shape approaches to reach the end goal/objective.
- Ability to muli task and re prioritise projects as required.
- Adapt quickly to these evolving priorities, shifting project scopes, and new ideas from the founder or Head of Built Environment.
- Manage and coordinate multiple concurrent projects.
- Lead operational planning, budgeting, scheduling, and reporting across all active projects.
- Ensure all works align with the organisation’s conservation‑led ethos, sustainability commitments, and long‑term land‑use vision.
- Identify risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities, proposing practical, commercially sound solutions.
- Build strong relationships with contractors, consultants, planners, local authorities, and internal stakeholders.
- Ensuring that existing assets are managed proactively.
- Develop and scrutinise business cases, financial models and investment proposals.
- Looking at carbon accounting frameworks and new commercial concept feasibility studies.
- Support due diligence for acquisitions and feasibility studies for new developments.
- Contribute to strategic planning, portfolio optimisation, and long‑term asset management.
- Foster a team‑player culture where flexibility, collaboration, and mutual support are the norm.
- Using data to inform strategic direction and operational improvements.
- Comfortable working with financial information, performance metrics and KPIs.
Skills and Experience
- Experience working at a senior level within property, estate, development or built environment roles.
- RICS qualifications or progression towards chartered status is advantageous but not essential.
- Strong financial and commercial literacy.
- This role requires someone broad rather than narrow - strategic thinker rather than a deeply specialized technical expert
- Experience managing complex, multi‑stakeholder projects from inception to completion.
- Ability and experience to project manage.
- Commercial acumen with the ability to balance cost, quality, sustainability, and long‑term value.
- Experience within a family office, private estate, or privately owned business is highly advantageous, particularly where discretion and relationship‑sensitivity are essential.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
- A genuine interest in conservation, or sustainable development is a significant asset and this may come from an academic and/or professional background.
- A mindset that embraces change, will seek to find answers and solutions to projects presented to them.
- Confident to challenge and contribute ideas in an emotionally intelligent, constructive, and respectful manner.
- Able to work autonomously.
Start: As soon as the right person is found.
Working week: Monday to Friday, 42.5 hour week but with some flexibility to work overtime when required. Office based role only.
Driving: essential
Salary: Negotiable and dependant on experience