Head of Estates

Oak Multi Academy Trust; Oadby; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Pension contribution 17.3%

CPD

Wellbeing package

Job summary

Oak Multi Academy Trust is seeking a Head of Estates to shape and deliver the Trust's estates strategy across five schools. You will assess condition, risk and need, set investment priorities and direct estates funding to where it will make the greatest difference.

You will work with Headteachers and central teams to build a cohesive, Trust-wide estates function that supports the education mission. You will bring strong estates and facilities leadership, multi-site experience and a passion for

Qualifications

• Strong estates/facilities experience across multiple sites.
• Proven ability to lead estates strategy and delivery.
• Knowledge of health and safety and compliance in an education environment.
• Commercial awareness and ability to manage budgets and funding allocations.
• Experience developing staff and building a cohesive estates team.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the Trust's estates strategy across five schools.
• Assess condition, risk and need; set investment priorities and direct estates funding.
• Collaborate with Headteachers and central teams to align site needs with the Trust’s goals.
• Provide visible leadership across schools and build relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance and safety standards while delivering value for money.

Skills

Estates leadership

Multi-site leadership

H&S compliance

Commercial awareness

People development

Job description

Five schools. One estates strategy. Your opportunity to shape it.

OAK’s five schools are in good condition. Compliance systems are established. Updated condition surveys are being completed. And there’s funding available to invest.

Now we’re looking for someone with the judgement and ambition to decide what comes next.

As Head of Estates, you’ll join the central senior leadership team, report directly to the CEO and take ownership of the Trust’s estates strategy.

You’ll have real authority to identify what needs doing, and the budget to make it happen.

You’ll assess condition, risk and need, set investment priorities and direct estates funding towards where it will make the greatest difference.

With five schools already part of OAK and ambitions to grow further, this is your opportunity to build an estates function ready for what comes next. You’ll bring individual site-led approaches together into one strategic, Trust-wide model, while recognising the individual needs and identity of each school.

And because OAK is still a relatively small Trust, you’ll see the impact of your decisions.

You’ll work directly with Headteachers and premises teams, supported by a central Premises Officer and colleagues across HR, finance and the wider central team. Collaboration matters here. OAK believes its schools and colleagues achieve more by working together, sharing expertise and supporting each other.

You’ll need to be visible across the schools, particularly while building relationships. You’ll also need the confidence to challenge, the diplomacy to bring people with you and the commercial judgement to make every pound count.

Because ultimately, your decisions aren’t just about buildings. They help create the places where young people can flourish, achieve and grow.

You may already work within a Multi Academy Trust, but you don’t have to.

OAK welcomes candidates from education, the NHS, charity or other complex multi-site environments. What matters is strong estates/facilities experience, multi-site leadership, H&S and compliance knowledge, commercial awareness and the ability to develop people as well as buildings.

You’ll receive 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after five years’ education service, a 17.3% employer pension contribution, CPD and a wider wellbeing and employee benefits package.

Interested?