Head of Estates & Facilities Management

PRG; England; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational trust in England is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Estates and Facilities Management for multiple Academy Trust sites. This role involves providing strategic and operational direction for all estate activities, ensuring operational compliance and sustainability. Candidates must have relevant qualifications and substantial experience in facilities management across educational environments. The position offers a competitive day rate for a 6-month full-time contract, with a potential for some remote work.

Qualifications

• Professional membership or working towards it (e.g., CIOB, IWFM, RICS, IOSH).
• Proven experience leading estates and facilities across a multi-site or education environment.
• Strong knowledge of health & safety, compliance, and sustainability within estates management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Trust-wide estate and facilities management policies.
• Lead and support the Estates and Site Operations teams across multiple sites.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety and estates legislation.
• Deliver estates and facilities training across the Trust.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Health & Safety Compliance

Sustainability knowledge

Education

Degree or professional qualification in Estates, Facilities, or related discipline

Job description

Interim Head of Estates and Facilities Management

Location : Hampshire (covering multiple Academy Trust sites)

Contract : 6-month interim, full-time, 5 days per week on-site (potentially some occasional remote work)

Day Rate : £500-£520 per day (Inside IR35)

Application Timeline : CVs reviewed Thursday 30th Oct. Interviews held next week

About the Role

We're currently recruiting for an experienced Interim Head of Estates and Facilities Management to join a forward-thinking Academy Trust overseeing multiple educational sites across Hampshire.

This key leadership role will provide strategic and operational direction for all estate and facilities management activities, ensuring that the Trust's academies operate safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

You will work closely with the Executive Director of Operations, school leaders, and the Health and Safety Manager to drive compliance, optimise resources, and deliver a high-quality environment for teaching and learning.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement Trust-wide estate and facilities management policies and processes.
• Advise senior leaders and Trustees on estate strategy, capital projects, and sustainability initiatives.
• Plan for the Trust's future growth and ensure effective use of resources.

Operational and Team Management

• Lead and support the Estates and Site Operations teams across multiple sites.
• Oversee maintenance, compliance, and facilities services to ensure high operational standards.
• Manage procurement, contracts, and service-level agreements, ensuring best value.

Compliance and Safety

• Ensure full compliance with health and safety and estates legislation.
• Conduct regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
• Liaise with external agencies, contractors, and regulatory bodies.

Training and Development

• Deliver estates and facilities training across the Trust.
• Promote continuous improvement and professional development for site teams.

Emergency and Crisis Management

• Lead on emergency preparedness, fire safety, and business continuity planning.
• Manage critical incidents and implement post-incident reviews.

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree or professional qualification in Estates, Facilities, or related discipline.
• Professional membership (e.g., CIOB, IWFM, RICS, IOSH) or working towards it.
• Proven experience leading estates and facilities across a multi-site or education environment.
• Strong knowledge of health & safety, compliance, and sustainability within estates management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Experience in a Multi-Academy Trust or educational setting.
• Project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM).
• Knowledge of funding and capital project processes in education.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Estates and Facilities leader available for an immediate or near-term start, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV by Thursday 30th for review. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview next week.