Estates Manager

Shorefields; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Shorefields in Chelmsford invites applications for an Estates Manager to oversee the strategic management of our Trust's buildings, facilities, and health and safety compliance across our family of schools.

Based at the central office with travel across our Chelmsford schools, you will lead on premises compliance, manage a site team, and support capital projects while aligning estate maintenance with our educational mission.

Qualifications

• Experience in estates, facilities, or premises management (ideally in education or public sector).
• Experience of health & safety legislation and compliance systems.
• Ability to manage and develop a team across multiple sites.
• Strong communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead on premises compliance, maintenance, and statutory inspections across all school sites.
• Line manage a team of site officers across the family of schools.
• Support capital projects and contribute to the Estates Management Plan.
• Manage service contracts, tenders, and procurement for site-based operations.
• Drive health and safety excellence, including audits, risk assessments and emergency planning.
• Collaborate with Trust and school leaders to maximise lettings income and develop site staff.
• Maintain Asset Management system and support Trust-wide initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Health & safety knowledge

Team leadership

Education

Experience in estates/facilities management

Tools

Asset management systems

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC17819-9S Position Type: Caretaker/Site Managers Pay Range: Essex Scale 8

Position Start Date: 01/12/2026 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 19/10/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: Thursday 22nd October 2026

Monday-Friday

26 annual leave days (some leave can be taken during term time), plus Bank Holidays

Access to a generous Local Government Pension Scheme

An exciting opportunity to be part of a newly formed family of schools in the heart of Chelmsford. Are you ready to take the lead in shaping safe, efficient, and inspiring learning environments across a dynamic family of schools?

We are seeking a proactive Estates Manager to oversee the strategic management of our Trust's buildings, facilities, and health & safety compliance. This is a key role supporting the CFOO and working closely with school teams to ensure our estate is maintained to the highest standards and aligned with our educational mission.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

• Leading on premises compliance, maintenance, and statutory inspections across all school sites
• Line managing a team of site officers across our family of schools
• Supporting capital projects and contributing to our Estates Management Plan
• Managing service contracts, tenders, and procurement for site-based operations
• Driving health & safety excellence, including audits, risk assessments, and emergency planning
• Collaborating with Trust and school leaders to maximise lettings income and develop site staff
• Maintaining our Asset Management system and supporting Trust-wide initiatives

What We're Looking For:

• A confident communicator with strong project management and organisational skills
• Experience in estates, facilities, or premises management (ideally in education or public sector)
• A working knowledge of health & safety legislation and compliance systems
• A team player who can build effective relationships across central and school-based teams

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact across multiple schools, helping to create safe, welcoming spaces where children thrive. You'll be part of a supportive central team with a shared commitment to excellence and improvement.

Location: Based in our central office at the Moulsham Schools with travel across our Chelmsford based schools

Closing Date: Noon on Monday 19th October 2026

Interviews:Thursday 22nd October 2026

Information about the Trust and our Schools:

HIVE family - Our four schools are already successful in their own right, whilst benefiting from being part of the HIVE family, which was officially formed in April 2025. Moulsham Junior School, Moulsham Infants, Writtle Infants and Writtle Juniors, have worked together closely for many years as part of school-to-school support. This collaborative relationship has helped improve outcomes for children, supported staff professional development and enabled leaders to share best practices. The HIVE is a fully inclusive family, meeting the diverse and Safeguarding needs of the children, this being at the forefront on everything we do, to ensure children feel happy and safe.

As an equal opportunities' employer, HIVE family of schools is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age; disability; gender re-assignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race (which includes ethnic origin, nationality and ethnic or national origins); religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join HIVE family of schools.

HIVE family of schools is committed to safeguarding our pupils against radicalisation and extremism and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on an application form, CVs will not be accepted. This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references.

We may decide to close the advertisement sooner in the event that suitable candidates are shortlisted before the closing date.

If you would like more information, please contact our Chief Finance & Operations Officer, Tara Barrett on 01245-352098 or email [e-mail]

Visits to the schools are warmly welcomed, please contact Tara or [e-mail] to arrange a visit.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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