We are looking to recruit a Head of Estates and Facilities
Responsible to: Director of Finance and Operations
Responsible for: Estates, Grounds, Facilities, Cleaning and Operational Services Teams (c25-30 staff plus contractors)
Salary: c.£56k - £64k (pay award pending), commensurate with the level of skill and knowledge of the applicant.
Hours of work: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Job Overview
This is a significant leadership opportunity to shape the future operational environment of St Leonards School.
The Head of Estates and Facilities will provide strategic and operational leadership across the School’s estate, facilities, compliance, and operational support services, ensuring the delivery of a safe, compliant, efficient, and high-quality environment that supports an exceptional educational experience.
The postholder will oversee a complex estate of 19 buildings operating within a busy day and boarding school environment with 24/7 operational requirements. The role is responsible for estates infrastructure, facilities management, health and safety compliance, transport operations, grounds, cleaning services, capital projects, and operational resilience.
As a senior leader, the postholder will play a key role in modernising systems, improving operational performance, strengthening compliance assurance, supporting sustainability ambitions, and delivering strategic estate improvements aligned to the School’s long-term priorities.
The role manages an annual operational budget of approximately £450k alongside a multi-year capital investment programme and leads a multi-disciplinary workforce of approximately 25–30 staff plus contractors.
The postholder will work closely with the Board, Head, DFO, and Executive Leadership Team and will sit on the Senior Management Team.
What Success Looks Like :
* A safe, compliant, and well-maintained estate across 19 buildings.
* Successful delivery of planned maintenance and capital programmes.
* Strong compliance audit outcomes and risk assurance reporting.
* High Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) completion rates.
* Effective management of reactive maintenance response times.
* Strong financial control and budget management.
* Improved operational efficiency and sustainability performance.
* Positive stakeholder feedback across operational services.
* Effective operational resilience and emergency preparedness.
* High-performing teams with clear accountability and service standards.