The Director of Estates is responsible for the effective operational delivery, maintenance, and development of the School’s diverse estate and related support services, ensuring a safe, compliant, and high-quality environment.
The School’s estate includes a combination of listed and heritage buildings alongside modern, state-of-the-art facilities, requiring a balanced and informed approach to preservation, compliance, and development.
This is a delivery-focused role, ensuring that day-to-day school operations run smoothly and are effectively supported, while also enabling successful commercial activities including: lettings, catering, and events. The postholder will balance the needs of a busy boarding school with opportunities to maximise the use and value of the estate.
Working closely with the COO, the role combines hands-on operational leadership with strategic planning, ensuring the estate and services are sustainable, efficient, and aligned with the School’s long-term objectives.
Please submit your application online by 17th May 2026.
Should you wish to complete an offline application form, or should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the HR team via HR@repton.org.uk.
Main Responsibilities:
Estates Management (Built Environment & Infrastructure)
* Lead the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and performance of all buildings and infrastructure
* Manage a mixed estate, including:
o Listed and heritage buildings requiring sensitive maintenance and statutory compliance
o Modern, state-of-the-art teaching, boarding, and sports facilities
Facilities & Operations (Support Services)
* Lead delivery of non-academic operational services, including:
o Cleaning
o Portering
o Reception
o Catering
o Retail
o Security
o Lettings and events support
* Ensure services are efficient, responsive, and customer-focused
Grounds and External Environment
* Work with the Head of Grounds to oversee the management, maintenance, and presentation of all grounds, including:
o Sports pitches
o Landscaping
o External infrastructure
* Ensure grounds support both:
o High-quality educational and co-curricular use
o Lettings, events, and commercial activity
Fleet Management (Transport)
* Oversee the operation and management of the School’s vehicle fleet (predominantly minibuses and estates vehicles)
* Ensure compliance with all legal and safety requirements, including:
o Licensing
o Maintenance and inspections
o Driver compliance and training
Catering and Retail Operations
* Work with the Head of Catering to oversee the delivery of catering and retail services
* Ensure services are:
o High quality
o Financially sustainable
o Aligned with school expectations and commercial objectives
Health, Safety and Compliance
* Take operational responsibility for Health & Safety across the estate and operations
* Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and statutory requirements, including those specific to a boarding school, listed buildings and heritage assets
Capital Projects and Estate Development
* Lead the delivery of capital projects, including refurbishments, heritage works, and new developments, on time, within budget and to the highest standards, with minimal operational disruption.
* Ensure appropriate approaches to:
o Conservation and restoration of listed buildings
o Development of modern, high-specification facilities
Financial Management
* Prepare and manage estates, facilities, and operational budgets
* Ensure cost control and value for money
Leadership and Team Management
* Provide strong leadership across estates, facilities, grounds, catering, and support teams
* Ensure teams are well-structured, responsive, and delivery-focused
Strategic Contribution
* Support the COO in developing and delivering the School’s estates strategy
* Balance operational delivery with longer-term planning, particularly across a diverse and evolving estate
For a detailed description of duties and benefits, please view the Candidate Information Pack.
Ideal Candidate:
Experience
* Significant experience in estates, facilities, or operational management in a complex environment
* Experience managing diverse estates, ideally including heritage/listed buildings and modern facilities
* Proven track record of delivering maintenance programmes and capital projects
* Experience of managing health & safety and compliance systems
* Experience overseeing commercial or income-generating operations (desirable)
Knowledge and Skills
* Strong understanding of:
o Building maintenance and infrastructure
o Heritage/listed building considerations (desirable)
o Facilities and support services
o Grounds and external environments
o Fleet or transport management (desirable)
* Strong operational and service delivery focus
* Excellent project and organisational skills
* Financial and commercial awareness
* Ability to balance hands-on delivery with strategic oversight
* Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Package Description:
Location: Repton School, with occasional travel to Repton Prep and other UK Family of Schools
Contract: Permanent, year-round role
Hours: Full-time - 40 hours per week
Monday to Friday between the hours of 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Occasional out of hours/evening/weekend work may be required
Benefits: Pension scheme
Cycle to Work
Free Sports Centre membership