Working closely with the Chief Operations Officer, you will:
* Lead the day‑to‑day operational estates function, ensuring all premises are safe, secure, compliant and well maintained
* Provide system leadership for estates, health & safety and compliance, embedding robust processes and assurance across all sites
* Line manage Premises Officers and an Estates Business Support Assistant, ensuring effective deployment and oversight
* Coordinate and manage contractors, commissioned services and professional advisors (including structural surveyors and West Sussex Facilities)
* Act as Vice Chair of the Health & Safety Committee, supporting a positive safety culture across the College
* Oversee maintenance planning, compliance programmes, school lettings safety, vehicle fleet management and contractor performance
* Use data, systems and professional judgement to maintain control, anticipate issues and minimise reactive working
West Sussex Alternative Provision College (WSAPC) is seeking an experienced and confident Premises Manager to provide operational leadership, system control and assurance across our multi‑site estate. This is a senior operational role, equivalent in standing to other system leaders such as Finance and HR. It is not a reactive caretaking post. Instead, the successful candidate will bring calm, authoritative leadership to ensure that estates systems, compliance, health & safety and maintenance activity are planned, controlled and delivered consistently across the College. Substantial trade‑based experience (e.g. electrical, mechanical, building, carpentry or engineering), with the credibility to manage trade‑led projects and advise on building systems and fabric is required.
Qualifications
* Strong experience of operational estates or facilities leadership, ideally in a complex or multi‑site environment
* A confident, calm leadership style, with the ability to maintain focus and assurance during pressure or incidents
* A secure understanding of health & safety and statutory compliance within an education or public‑sector context
* Excellent organisational, communication and people‑management skills
* A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and high professional standards
Why join WSAPC?
* WSAPC is a dynamic, values‑driven organisation supporting some of the most vulnerable young people in West Sussex.
* A genuine leadership opportunity with autonomy and influence
* The chance to shape and embed high‑quality estates systems across a growing multi‑site provision
* A supportive senior leadership team that values professionalism, foresight and calm control
* Meaningful work that directly supports safe environments for learning and wellbeing
WSAPC and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.
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