Head of Estates Operations

Ashton-on-Mersey High; West Timperley; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dean Trust is seeking an experienced Head of Estates Operations to lead the management of our estate across multiple school sites. You will report to the CESO and oversee a dedicated Estates Team delivering planned and reactive maintenance, compliance, health and safety, and capital projects.

Based from a central office base with regular travel between sites, this full-time role requires strategic thinking, strong leadership, and excellent stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience managing estates or facilities across a multi-site organisation.
• Extensive knowledge of statutory compliance, health and safety legislation and estates management within complex environments.
• Experience leading teams, managing contractors and delivering high-quality services.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and organisational skills.
• A full UK driving licence and the ability to travel regularly across Trust schools.

Responsibilities

• Leading the operational delivery of estates services across all Trust sites.
• Ensuring statutory compliance and overseeing planned preventative maintenance programmes.
• Managing reactive maintenance, contractors and service providers.
• Leading, coaching and developing the Trust Estates Team.
• Supporting the delivery of capital projects and long-term asset management.
• Driving continuous improvement, sustainability initiatives and operational excellence.

Skills

Senior leadership

Statutory compliance

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Driving licence (UK)

Job description

THE DEAN TRUST
C/o ASHTON ON MERSEY SCHOOL
Cecil Avenue
Sale
M33 5BP
Telephone: [phone]
Website: https://www.thedeantrust.co.uk/

HEAD OF ESTATES OPERATIONS - Start Date: ASAP
NJC Pay Band 12, SCP 45 48, £55,620 - £59,016 per annum FTE, plus Car Allowance (Pay Award Pending)
Full Time across Monday - Friday
Permanent
Location: Candidates’ main office base will be at one of our Dean Trust sites; this is to be agreed at interview, but will be either Huyton, Manchester or Trafford
Regular travel between all Trust sites will be required as part of the role.

The Dean Trust is one of the North West's leading multi-academy trusts, educating thousands of children and young people across our family of primary and secondary schools. We are committed to delivering outstanding education through collaboration, innovation and high-quality support services that enable our schools to thrive.

The Dean Trust is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Estates Operations to lead the management and development of our estate across multiple school sites.

Reporting to the Chief Estates Strategy Officer (CESO), you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Trust's estates function, leading a dedicated Estates Team and ensuring the effective delivery of planned and reactive maintenance, statutory compliance, health and safety, and capital improvement projects.

You will deputise for the Chief Estates Strategy Officer in their absence.

You will work closely with Headteachers, school leadership teams and central services to deliver a consistent, customer-focused estates service that supports educational excellence across every Trust school.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the operational delivery of estates services across all Trust sites
• Ensuring statutory compliance and overseeing planned preventative maintenance programmes
• Managing reactive maintenance, contractors and service providers
• Leading, coaching and developing the Trust Estates Team
• Supporting the delivery of capital projects and long-term asset management
• Driving continuous improvement, sustainability initiatives and operational excellence
• Producing strategic performance and compliance reports to inform Trust-wide decision making

We're looking for an experienced estates professional who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational leadership.

You will have:

• Senior leadership experience managing estates or facilities across a multi-site organisation
• Extensive knowledge of statutory compliance, health and safety legislation and estates management within complex environments
• Experience leading teams, managing contractors and delivering high-quality services
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and organisational skills
• A full UK driving licence and the ability to travel regularly across Trust schools

Experience within education, public sector or Multi-Academy Trust environments would be advantageous.

In return, we offer comprehensive employee benefits package, including wellbeing support and professional development opportunities, please see below our Trust benefits.

Contact: For more information about the role, please contact Maria Finnigan (CESO) at [e-mail]

We are an Equal Opportunities employer committed to ensuring inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates including those from underrepresented groups, and/or with protected characteristics.

The Dean Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.

Application Closing Date - Thursday 17 September 2026 at 9.00 am

Interview Date - Thursday 24 September 2026 and will be held at Lord Derby Academy.