What skills and experience we're looking for
What you'll be responsible for
Setting direction
• Develop and deliver a Trust-wide Premises Strategy aligned to our vision and growth
• Lead capital planning, funding bids and the delivery of major projects
• Advise and influence the CEO, senior leaders and Board of Trustees
• Use premises and compliance data to inform decisions and report clearly at senior level
Leading people and building culture
• Build, lead and mentor a proactive, professional central Premises team
• Work visibly across our schools, understanding local contexts and building strong relationships
• Support school leaders to ensure appropriate premises staffing and cover at each site
• Promote a positive, proactive Health and Safety culture across the Trust
Keeping everyone safe
• Act as the Trust's designated competent person for Health and Safety
• Ensure compliance with legislation, safeguarding requirements (including KCSIE), and statutory premises reporting
• Implement and monitor Good Estates Management (GEMs)
• Carry out site audits, follow up actions and ensure issues are resolved – properly
Making things work well
• Design and implement efficient, consistent and scalable premises systems and processes
• Develop and manage the Trust's compliance management system
• Oversee contractor relationships and procurement, ensuring value for money
• Manage budgets for capital projects and contribute to Trust-wide budget planning
• Support colleagues to manage premises budgets effectively and sustainably
Who we're looking for
You'll bring strong experience in premises, estates or facilities management, alongside deep knowledge of Health and Safety legislation. But just as importantly, you'll bring empathy, professionalism and sound judgement.
You'll be:
• Strategic, but grounded
• Thorough, but practical
• Confident, calm and trusted
• Collaborative by instinct and visible in practice
Experience in education is welcome but not essential. What matters most is your ability to lead well, communicate clearly, and care deeply about creating environments where people can do their best work.
What the school offers its staff
Why join Southern Education Trust?
Because we do things with purpose.
We're ambitious, values-led and serious about kindness. We believe great premises leadership underpins great education – and that the people who lead this work should be trusted, supported and heard.
If you're looking for a senior role where your expertise will genuinely shape the future of a growing Trust – and where you can make a meaningful difference every day – we'd love to hear from you.
Further details about the role
People change lives. Great spaces make it possible.
At Southern Education Trust, our premises aren't just places where learning happens – they're part of how we make lives better.
This role isn't about ticking boxes or keeping things as they are. It's about shaping safe, welcoming, well-run environments where pupils can thrive, staff feel supported, and communities feel proud of their schools.
We're looking for a Head of Premises who brings expertise, clarity and care in equal measure – someone who can think strategically, lead confidently, and work collaboratively across a growing Trust.
About the role
As Head of Premises, you'll lead and shape the Trust's Premises and Estates function, working as part of our senior leadership team and guided by our values ofKind, Collaborative and Creative.
You'll build and lead our central Premises team, establish modern systems, policies and ways of working, and ensure our schools are supported by safe, compliant, fit-for-purpose environments – now and as we grow.
You'll act with a high degree of autonomy, providing trusted advice to senior leaders and Trustees, and leading on all aspects of Health and Safety across the Trust.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.