Lead Estates Technician

Uppingham School; Oakham; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent boarding school in Oakham is seeking a Real Estate Management Architect and Design professional to oversee estate operations. The role includes supervising staff, supporting maintenance activities, and ensuring security across historical buildings. Candidates should have a trade background and experience in customer service. A full clean driving license is preferred. This position offers a competitive salary of £27,500 and numerous benefits, including generous holiday leave and health insurance contributions.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus up to 5 days over Christmas

Defined contribution pension scheme

50% contribution to private health insurance

Free Sports Centre membership

Staff fee discounts

Free flu jabs

Qualifications

• Trade background preferred (NVQ/City & Guilds).
• Experience managing a team.
• Multiskilled/trade experience desirable.
• IT proficiency, especially with CAFM software (desirable).
• Full clean driving license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily operations of Estates Technicians.
• Assist with work planning via Helpdesk and CAFM System.
• Support maintenance and gardening activities.
• Help move furniture across the estate.
• Participate in estate maintenance tasks.
• Perform external duties like gritting and road maintenance.

Skills

Trade background (NVQ/City & Guilds)

Experience managing a team

Multiskilled/trade experience

Manual handling skills

IT proficiency with CAFM software

Customer service experience in a 24/7 environment

Excellent timekeeping

Polite and helpful interaction with others

Full clean driving license

Job description

Full-time Real Estate Management Architect and Design

Job Description

Uppingham School, founded in 1584, is a leading co-educational independent boarding school operating 24/7 during term-time. It boasts a strong academic profile, excellent pastoral care, and state-of-the-art facilities in science, sports, and music. The school accommodates 830 pupils aged 13-18 across 15 boarding houses, supported by over 20 academic departments and numerous extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and drama. Its operations are supported by various business units including marketing, estates, finance, HR, IT, and more. The estate spans 125 acres, including 59 acres of playing fields, 14 acres of gardens, and 80 buildings with an insurance replacement value of £200 million. This includes teaching blocks, boarding houses, staff housing, sports facilities, and more, with several buildings listed (Grades I - II).

Job Purpose

The role is essential in ensuring the smooth operation of the school, involving duties within its historic and diverse buildings. Responsibilities include moving and maintaining equipment, facilities, and ensuring building security.

Responsibilities

1. Supervise daily operations of Estates Technicians, prioritizing reactive and planned tasks according to operational demands and school priorities.
2. Assist the Estates Services Manager with work planning and allocation via the Helpdesk and CAFM System.
3. Support operational activities such as maintenance, planned preventative maintenance, porterage, gardening, sports turf management, staff housing, and equipment movement.
4. Assist with the moving of furniture and appliances across the estate, including academic and residential buildings.
5. Help set up and break down school events and functions, including open days, sports, and exams.
6. Deliver and collect cleaning equipment and bedding as directed.
7. Participate in estate maintenance tasks like decorating, furniture assembly, repairs, and replacing fixtures.
8. Manage waste transportation, collection, and tidying of bin areas.
9. Perform external duties such as gritting, road maintenance, and pothole repairs.
10. Report safety or maintenance issues and secure unsafe areas until addressed.
11. Assist in compliance checks and other duties as assigned by the Estates team.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Trade background (NVQ/City & Guilds) preferred.
• Experience managing a team.
• Multiskilled/trade experience is desirable.
• Manual handling skills.
• IT proficiency, especially with CAFM software (desirable).
• Experience working in a 24/7 estate environment with a focus on customer service.
• Excellent timekeeping and ability to work independently or in a team.
• Polite and helpful interaction with students, staff, and the public.
• Previous porterage or similar role experience (desirable).
• Cleaning experience (desirable).
• Understanding of COSHH and health & safety (desirable).
• Full clean driving license (preferred), with insurance approval.

Terms and Conditions

Working hours: 39 hours/week

Salary: £27,500

Probation: 6 months

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus up to 5 days over Christmas; public holidays are normal working days with a day off in lieu.
• Defined contribution pension scheme with employer matching up to 10%.
• 50% contribution to private health insurance premiums.
• Death in service cover.
• Free membership of the Sports Centre, staff lunches, staff fee discounts, retail discounts, cycle scheme, free flu jabs, healthcare packages.
• Employer recognized as 'Disability Confident' and 'Mindful'.