Join to apply for the Estates & Site Services Manager role at Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke
Location: On-site | Vacancy closes: 17th December 2025
Queen Mary's College is a dynamic and award‑winning sixth‑form college set on a 23‑acre campus in the heart of Basingstoke. Our facilities include modern teaching spaces, historic buildings, a commercial theatre (Central Studio), a sports centre, and external lettings, all used by both students and the wider community. In recent years we have invested over £22 million to enhance and maintain our site, and we were named the “Best Place to Work” in 2025, reflecting our commitment to an inclusive and supportive working environment.
The Role
We are looking for a skilled, proactive and experienced Estates & Site Services Manager to lead and grow our site services team and maintain our campus to the highest standards. You will report directly to the Head of Commercial Operations and manage teams across maintenance, grounds, security, cleaning and caretaking (including out‑of‑hours).
Purpose of Job
* Maintain and improve the College’s built environment, equipment, services and grounds in the short, medium and long term, and advise leadership regarding priorities and business continuity essentials.
* Lead Health & Safety and ensure compliance with best practice and statutory requirements, acting as the “Competent Person”.
* Ensure a safe and secure site.
* Lead by example and be a fully contributing member of the site services, security and cleaning teams.
Accountable to: Head of Commercial Operations
Line Responsibility: Site services comprising maintenance, grounds, security, caretaking (including out‑of‑hours) and cleaning team.
Key Outcomes
* Keep the Senior Leadership Team fully informed regarding all areas of responsibility.
* Ensure the College site is safe, appropriate, clean and pleasant for all users.
* Lead a motivated, engaged and effective site services team.
* Act as the College Health & Safety Officer to ensure all practices meet relevant wellbeing requirements.
* Support external income‑generation projects, particularly those relating to weekend caretaking, the Sports Centre and Central Studio.
* Ensure full compliance with the College’s financial regulations, managing budgets and securing best value from contractors.
* Attend and actively participate in Operational Support Services Group meetings weekly to exchange information on college needs and event planning.
Specific Responsibilities
Personal and Line Management
* Coordinate detailed tasks using a ticketing system.
* Coordinate caretaking rotas (including weekend and evening rosters), site security and maintenance.
* Ensure quality standards are identified, agreed and maintained.
* Exercise keyholder and call‑out responsibilities.
* Carry out routine replacement, repairs and maintenance.
* Contribute to setting and adhering to budgets.
* Ensure appropriate training for all team members, with emphasis on safeguarding and legislative compliance.
Liaison with Suppliers and Contractors
* Identify, select, audit, manage and liaise with external contractors for planned and emergency responses.
* Obtain quotations from approved contractors and recommend course of action.
* Supervise all maintenance contracts, ensuring compliance and managing deviations.
* Keep records of requests for work and monitor work carried out.
Health & Safety and Emergency Procedures
* Act as the site Health & Safety Officer (NEBOSH or willing to train).
* Lead the College’s emergency procedures, maintaining and developing policies based on lessons learned.
* Ensure all major projects and routine works are planned, executed and maintained in line with best practice with safety paramount.
* Adhere to procedures for maintenance of minibuses, licence agreements and QMC practices.
* Ensure traffic on site arrangements are adhered to; roads and external circulation areas are safe, properly maintained and regularly monitored.
* Review all Site Services department risk assessments and remind Department heads to review them annually.
Site Management
* Maintain and further develop the existing planned maintenance programme agreed at a strategic level.
* Deliver agreed changes to the site and built environment, ensuring compliance with building legislation.
* Ensure heating systems function effectively and are regularly maintained.
* Carry out any other duties reasonably required within the scope of the post.
Grounds Management
* Ensure external spaces are well maintained and safe.
* Implement suitable maintenance schedules to secure playing quality of grass, 3G and astro‑pitch surfaces.
Person Specification
Experience:
* Knowledge of estates management – built environment, grounds, security, roads and parking (essential).
* Awareness of health and safety issues (NEBOSH qualified or willing to train) (essential).
* Experience and/or qualifications within the building or allied trades (desirable).
* Experience in maintaining a vehicle fleet (desirable).
* First aid qualified or willing to train (desirable).
Personal Qualities / Leadership:
* Experience of team working and leadership/management.
* Ability to take responsibility and show initiative while working flexibly and as part of a team.
* Excellent verbal communication skills.
* Effective and responsible decision making.
* Well organised with efficient time management skills.
* Aware of the issues, potential conflicts and pressures in maintaining a site that is fit foremost for its educational purpose and income‑generation areas.
* Good administrative skills (written, record‑keeping, budgeting).
* Excellent customer service standards.
The post holder should expect the job to involve a level of ‘first‑hand’ physical and hands‑on involvement. The post holder, and team members, will regularly work outdoors and may be exposed to a range of weather conditions.
Perks & Benefits at QMC
* Supportive, award‑winning working environment.
* Access to a wide range of staff discounts and savings.
* Generous annual leave.
* Extra learning and development opportunities.
* Strong commitment to staff wellbeing, including wellbeing days.
* Free gym membership and access to the swimming pool.
* Free hot drinks in the staff room and discounted Costa Coffee on campus.
For the full job description and to apply, please visit our website: Queen Mary's College Careers.
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