Head of Estates

Responsible to: Director of Operations 

Location: Foundation wide

Role Description

Stephen Perse seeks an outstanding Head of Estates to assist with the development and implementation of the estates strategy for the school and to lead and manage the maintenance team. This is an opportunity to join a leading educational organisation which values continuous professional development, a culture of collaboration, and where colleagues are nurtured, supported and encouraged in their careers.

The successful candidate will have experience of estates management or building surveying, along with knowledge of health and safety legislation and compliance. In addition, experience of supplier management and sustainability would be highly desirable. The individual will be responsible for the organisation, planning and communication of the repair, maintenance and upkeep of the School’s buildings and associated facilities, the management of the internal maintenance team, external contractors and ensuring the School is maintained as a world-class educational environment. This includes extensive and comprehensive stakeholder management, reporting and planning, the provision of a responsive service for the maintenance of the School’s buildings; a planned maintenance programme; and the planning and execution of improvement and refurbishment works. The role holder is responsible for setting and communicating the programme of works to all stakeholders through regular reporting and updated schedules. 

The role will oversee the Groundskeeper in developing and maintaining the gardens, pitches and grounds and develop the sustainability policy in relation to these.

Main Responsibilities:

1) Develop and Implement a Strategic Estates Plan

● Develop a detailed 10-year estates masterplan taking into account results from recently conducted condition surveys, decarbonisation goals and the School’s strategic vision.

● Develop robust capital expenditure budgets to support the masterplan.

● Secure necessary funding through effective financial planning and management.

●  Monitor and evaluate the masterplan's progress and make adjustments as needed.

2) Lead and Develop a High-Performing Maintenance Team to Deliver Exceptional Service. 

●  Recruit, train, and develop a skilled and motivated maintenance team, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture focused on customer service.

● Ensure compliance with all relevant HR policies and procedures.

● Formulate an annual maintenance calendar working proactively during term and off-term time to maximise the use of the rota system.

● Ensure an efficient emergency service out of normal office hours.

3) Lead and Deliver Refurbishment and Maintenance Projects.

● Manage the planning and execution of improvement and refurbishment projects.

● Evaluate all requests for major repairs or improvements to School properties determining their feasibility and practicability taking into consideration costs, manpower requirements and the impact on existing programme.

● Develop and implement comprehensive project plans, including scope, timeline, budget, and resource allocation.

● Manage and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring efficient use of resources.

● Oversee the procurement process, including tendering, contract negotiation, and supplier management.

4) Lead and Implement a Proactive Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) Program. 

● Develop and implement a comprehensive PPM schedule, prioritising critical systems and equipment to optimise building performance and longevity.

● Oversee the tendering process for PPM services, selecting cost-effective and reliable contractors, and managing contracts to ensure service delivery.

5) Drive forward the delivery of sustainable practices to reduce the carbon. 

● Work with the Head of Sustainability to identify strategies to optimise energy efficiency and reduce costs.

● Lead on the implementation of estates related sustainability initiatives.

6)  Ensure Regulatory and Health and Safety Compliance. 

● Set standards, processes and procedures to effectively maintain statutory compliance.

● Develop and implement comprehensive compliance policies and procedures to ensure adherence to all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.

● Conduct regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate hazards associated with building operations and maintenance.

● Oversee health and safety operations, including training, inspections, incident reporting, and maintaining a strong safety culture.

7) Lead provision of excellent building services, and responsive maintenance. 

● Responsible for the maintenance, development and record keeping of the buildings and associated plant and equipment.

● Develop and implement a comprehensive maintenance strategy, including preventative maintenance plans and long-term asset management.

8) Oversee All Financial Aspects of the Estates Function, Ensuring Efficiency and Value.

● Manage the annual budget, and collaborate with the Finance team to ensure delivery of a balanced and sustainable budget.

● Support the Director of Operations in developing a forward financial plan to support the estates strategy,

● Ensure that budgets, expenditure and purchasing of supplies are carried out, controlled and monitored, in accordance with the processes and systems set by the Head of Finance, on behalf of the School.