ESTATE FOREMAN

The Knole Estate is seeking an experienced Working Foreman. After an initial trial period, the Estate Foreman will be employed on a permanent contract, working 37.5 hours per week.

The Role

The Estate Foreman will be based at the Knole Estate in Sevenoaks. The Estate Foreman will report directly to Lord Sackville and to Strutt and Parker (who act as land agents).

Knole House was gifted to the National Trust by the Sackville West family in 1946 and the Sackville West family continue to reside in part of the house. The Knole Estate (separate from the National Trust) have a portfolio of land, residential and commercial property locally.

The Estate Foreman will help ensure the proper maintenance of all residential properties on the Estate as well as undertaking other general day to day jobs on the Estate. The role would suit an ambitious jobbing foreman (or similar) looking to take the next step in their career and for an opportunity to set down roots in the local area.

Salary and working hours

The Estate Foreman will receive a competitive remuneration package based on a 37.5 hour working week. Your working hours would be 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, with an hour for lunch.

Depending on circumstances it may be possible to provide living accommodation in (or nearby) Knole Park as part of the remuneration package. Sevenoaks has several good schools and benefits from excellent transport links to London. You will be provided with the use of an estate vehicle and mobile telephone as part of your employment.

Training

The Knole Estate is committed to giving employees training and support where required.

The Knole Estate/Strutt and Parker will provide training/refreshers in the following:

First Aid Health and Safety (including Asbestos Awareness, CDM Training, training in appropriate use of machinery and equipment etc.) Other relevant courses/professional development/refresher courses on a case by case basis. Estate Foreman Maintenance and General Duties

Day to day duties will include:

Working with Strutt and Parker you will ensure that property repairs are carried out in a timely manner and in order of priority. You will be responsible for setting the workloads of contractors and Estate Maintenance employees in conjunction with the land agent on a daily basis. You will be responsible for working within set budgets and to set deadlines (as agreed with Strutt and Parker). You will be responsible for ordering materials from appropriate suppliers and arranging deliveries where necessary. You will be confident in negotiating to ensure prices are competitive. You will be responsible for arranging, supervising and undertaking refurbishment of let residential properties when they become vacant. You will be required to help the Sackville-West Family with various maintenance jobs at the properties in which they reside, as well as taking responsibility for various traditional jobs such as changing the flags on the Gatehouse Tower. You will be required to abide by current Health and Safety at work regulations. You will be comfortable interacting with tenants and able to maintain a professional demeanour at all times. You will work with contractors/other staff on a daily basis to ensure the good maintenance of the Estate. Day to day tasks may include: Refurbishment projects (for example installing new kitchens/bathrooms) Conversion/Extension projects Clearing gutters and repairing where faulty Replacing slipped and missing tiles Interior redecoration External redecoration WC and plumbing repairs Fitting door locks, window locks, door handles etc Understanding of security systems and CCTV operation Working with Strutt and Parker to ensure that relevant safety checks/works are instructed/completed in a timely manner (e.g. gas safety. EICR, smoke and carbon monoxide detector checks) Ensuring that working areas are kept tidy and safe Reporting to Strutt and Parker on a regular basis and acting promptly on urgent instructions Working with other members of the Estate Team and acting as 'chief of staff' for the Estate Team Any other duties or tasks to help with the smooth day-to-day running of the Estate In an emergency you may, from time to time, be required to assist with arranging works etc. outside of working hours.

Candidate Qualifications and Experience

You will have prior experience of working as a jobbing foreman (or similar) and be keen to expand your knowledge and take on greater responsibility. It is essential that you have first-hand experience and qualifications in carpentry and joinery or bricklaying. It is also essential that you have experience of working on large scale conversion/extension projects or new build housing projects. Additional experience in plumbing, electrical work, decorating, plastering, or roofing would be beneficial but is not essential. You will be comfortable using a computer and completing paperwork as well as doing practical work. It is vital that you have an understanding of the importance of health and safety and ideally you will have experience in compiling risk assessments and acting as principal designer and principal contractor under the CDM regulations. You will be familiar with a range of different building materials and building techniques and willing to keep abreast of industry changes (including regulatory changes). You will be willing to work with a range of advisors including Architects, Building Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, Building Control, Health and Safety Advisers and Structural Engineers. You will be familiar with reading and interpreting architectural drawings and specifications. You will be confident in compiling programmes of work and able to understand cost reports.

Estate Foreman - Qualities

We are looking for a personable, diligent and dependable employee who is able to manage a team of contractors, work within set budgets and to a deadline. You will have a good eye for detail and will be confident in recruiting and managing contractors to assist with works on the Estate. You will be able to act with discretion and keep confidential information secure. You will be happy to work as part of a team as well as independently. You will be happy to carry out small maintenance jobs as well as managing larger projects.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter and a curriculum vitae addressed to Frances Reed, Strutt and Parker, 201 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2NR or via email to by midday on January 15 th 2024.

If you have any queries about the role then please email: