Estate Manager Application

Burford School; Burford; Remote; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Burford School is seeking a dedicated Estates and Facilities Manager to oversee the management, maintenance and statutory compliance of the school estate, including day and boarding provision, sports facilities and related premises. Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will ensure safe, compliant and well‑maintained facilities that support education and boarding.

You will lead the Facilities Team, manage contracts, budgets and planned maintenance, drive health and safety, oversee CDM

Job description

The management, maintenance and statutory compliance of the Burford School estate, including the day school, boarding provision, sports facilities and associated premises, under the strategic direction of the Head of Operations

Hours of Duty

37 hours per week, full time.

Role Purpose

To manage a safe, compliant and well-maintained school estate supporting education and boarding, leading day-to-day premises compliance, health and safety, contractor management and planned maintenance.

Reporting to the Head of Operations, who retains strategic responsibility, provide technical advice, contribute to the estates strategy and oversee its delivery through the Assistant Facilities Manager, Boarding Facilities Officer and wider site team.

Key Responsibilities

Estate planning and asset management

Support the Head of Operations’ estates strategy with condition data, technical advice, costs and business cases.

Maintain a rolling five-year maintenance and lifecycle replacement plan.

Advise the Head of Operations and Senior Leadership Team on estate risks and investment priorities.

Ensure estate improvements meet educational and boarding needs.

Lead facilities input into capital projects from conception to completion, supporting planning, procurement and contractor selection.

Monitor project quality, timescales and budgets, ensuring CDM compliance and fulfilment of client responsibilities.

Coordinate communication with staff, pupils and site users during projects.

Compliance, Health & Safety and assurance

Lead day-to-day premises compliance within the framework set by the Head of Operations, supporting them as the school’s competent person for premises health and safety.

Maintain the compliance register, testing schedule and dashboard; monitor completion and provide regular assurance to the Head of Operations that statutory inspections, testing and servicing meet required timescales.

Oversee compliance covering fire safety, asbestos, Legionella, gas and electrical safety, emergency lighting, lifting equipment (LOLER), pressure systems, working at height, COSHH, contractor management, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), and boarding accommodation.

Develop and review premises health and safety procedures, monitor compliance with legislation and best practice, and advise managers on premises safety.

Lead the annual premises health and safety action plan and monitor risk assessments across site operations.

Investigate significant accidents, incidents and near misses, and ensure corrective actions from audits and inspections are completed.

Keep compliance records inspection‑ready and appropriately retained; lead responses to premises audits, inspections and regulatory visits, keeping the Head of Operations informed.

Report premises compliance, health and safety performance and risks to the Head of Operations for onward reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.

Contractor and contract management

Lead facilities procurement and tendering within the school’s scheme of delegation, with contracts above delegated limits approved by the Head of Operations and Financial Controller.

Manage facilities service contracts, including cleaning; monitor performance against agreed standards and review opportunities for improvement and value for money.

Ensure contractors meet safeguarding, health and safety and security requirements, including appropriate checks, identification and supervision in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Establish and oversee contractor induction, signing‑in and permit‑to‑work procedures.

Manage relationships with specialist consultants and professional advisers.

Budget and financial management

Manage delegated facilities and maintenance budgets within the overall estates budget set by the Head of Operations.

Prepare the annual planned maintenance programme and capital expenditure proposals for the Head of Operations to prioritise and approve.

Monitor expenditure and ensure effective financial control.

Identify opportunities to improve value for money and operational efficiency.

Prepare budget forecasts and reports for the Head of Operations.

Support procurement processes in accordance with the school’s financial regulations and the Academy Trust Handbook.

Energy and sustainability

Deliver estates actions within the sustainability strategy and Climate Action Plan led by the Head of Operations, including carbon reduction initiatives.

Monitor energy, water and other utilities usage, identify improvements and provide environmental performance data for reporting.

Identify estate‑related funding opportunities, including CIF and PSDS, and prepare technical content for bids led by the Head of Operations.

Security and business continuity

Oversee site security and controlled access to protect pupils, boarders and staff, including CCTV, alarms, access control and key management in line with data protection requirements.

Maintain the premises elements of the business continuity plan led by the Head of Operations, including loss of utilities or buildings.

Organise and test evacuation and lockdown procedures and drills, report outcomes to the Head of Operations and support critical incident management.

Leadership and people management

Lead the Facilities Team, including meetings and departmental planning, promoting accountability, customer service and continuous improvement.

Manage the performance and development of the Assistant Facilities Manager and Boarding Facilities Officer, and ensure all team members complete role‑appropriate safeguarding and health and safety training.

Contribute to workforce and succession planning with the Head of Operations and HR Manager.

Maintain effective relationships with contractors, consultants and inspectors, and provide high standards of service to staff, pupils, parents and community users. The Head of Operations leads relationships with the local authority, planning bodies and wider community.

Boarding facilities

Ensure boarding facilities are safe, compliant and fit for purpose under the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, and support inspections.

Oversee boarding maintenance, refurbishment and investment priorities, working with boarding leaders to maintain service standards.

Plan and oversee maintenance work to protect boarders’ safety, privacy and welfare.

Reporting

Provide regular reports on estate performance, compliance, health and safety, environmental performance and risk to the Head of Operations.

Present technical estate information to the Senior Leadership Team or Board of Trustees when invited.

Safeguarding

Safeguard and promote children’s welfare, following the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and ensuring site arrangements provide safe access to school and boarding facilities.

Read and understand Part One of Keeping Children Safe in Education and complete safeguarding training at induction and regular intervals.

Report safeguarding concerns or concerns about an adult’s conduct to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Headteacher without delay.

Follow school policies, including health and safety, UK GDPR, confidentiality, equality and the staff code of conduct; take reasonable care of personal safety and that of others affected by the work.

Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Participate in appraisal and relevant professional development, and undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the grade as directed by the Head of Operations or Headteacher.

Safeguarding Statement

Burford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safer recruitment practice in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, so candidates must disclose all convictions and cautions that are not "protected" as defined by the Act. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a self‑declaration of their criminal record, and the school will carry out online searches as part of its due diligence.

Any offer of employment will be conditional on the following checks being completed to the school’s satisfaction:

Verification of identity and right to work in the UK

Enhanced DBS check (and children’s barred list check where the role involves regulated activity)

At least two satisfactory references, one of which must be from the current or most recent employer, requested before interview where possible and verified with the referee

Verification of qualifications and professional registrations relevant to the post

Verification of medical fitness to carry out the role

Checks for candidates who have lived or worked outside the UK

Section 128 prohibition from management check, where applicable

Online searches of shortlisted candidates, as part of due diligence, with candidates informed in advance

Equality and Date Protection

Burford School is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Personal data provided during recruitment will be processed in line with UK GDPR and the school’s recruitment privacy notice.

Burford School was founded by Charter in 1571 and has been maintained continually since that date. The school was developed as a County School from 1929 when the Foundation admitted girls. In 1957 the school moved up the hill to its present 36 acre site. The Boarding House and surrounding staff accommodation occupy the historic site of the original Grammar school in the town. The attractive, listed, buildings provide varied facilities within a safe environment. This history has given Burford a unique flavour but is a school of the 21st century.