ONE Trust Estates Manager

Newcastle City Council; Throckley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

One (Owl North East) Trust in Throckley near Newcastle upon Tyne seeks an experienced Estates Manager to lead and develop our estate across eight primary schools. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery to keep sites safe, compliant and fit for purpose.

You will oversee capital investment, CIF bids, and the transition of two PFI schools as contracts mature, while managing budgets, contractors and sustainability initiatives across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• Experience managing estates across multiple sites (schools/educational estates).
• Strong understanding of health & safety legislation and compliance requirements.
• Experience with capital projects and CIF bids is desirable.
• Ability to manage budgets, contractors and competing priorities while thinking strategically.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the Estates Strategy across all schools within the Trust.
• Ensure full statutory compliance (H&S, fire, asbestos, water hygiene, etc.).
• Support school teams across multiple locations.
• Oversee planned and reactive maintenance programmes.
• Lead on procurement and management of contracts and service providers.
• Take responsibility for CIF bids from identification through submission and delivery.
• Support and manage the transition of PFI schools back to Trust control as contracts expire.
• Manage estates budgets and ensure value for money.
• Oversee capital works, refurbishments and improvement projects.
• Drive sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives.

Skills

Estate management

Health & safety compliance

Capital projects

CIF bids

Contractor management

Budget management

Strategic leadership

PFI knowledge

Job description

One (Owl North East) Trust

Multi-academy trust

Throckley

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE15 9DY

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Estates Manager to lead the management and development of our estate across a growing Multi Academy Trust of 8 primary schools.

This is a key role within the Trust, combining strategic leadership and operational delivery, ensuring that all sites are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose. The successful candidate will play a vital role in shaping our estate for the future, including overseeing capital investment, CIF bids, and preparing for the transition of two PFI schools as contracts come to an end in the coming years.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Trust’s Estates Strategy across all schools
• Ensure full statutory compliance (H&S, fire, asbestos, water hygiene, etc.)
• Support school teams across multiple locations
• Oversee planned and reactive maintenance programmes
• Lead on procurement and management of contracts and service providers
• Take responsibility for Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) bids from identification through to submission and delivery
• Support and manage the transition of two PFI schools back to Trust control as contracts reach expiry
• Support in the management of estates budgets, ensuring value for money
• Oversee capital works, refurbishments, and improvement projects
• Drive sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has strong experience managing estates across multiple sites
• Has a solid understanding of compliance and health & safety legislation
• Has experience of capital projects and/or CIF bids
• Is confident managing contractors, budgets, and competing priorities
• Can think strategically while remaining hands on when needed
• Ideally has an understanding of PFI arrangements or complex estates environments

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to shape and influence estates strategy across a Trust
• Varied and rewarding role with both strategic and operational impact
• Supportive leadership team and collaborative working culture
• Opportunity to lead on major projects, including CIF funding and PFI transition

Please note that written references may be taken up and made available to interviewers before the final selection stage; even if you indicate otherwise.

You will be based at ONE Trust central. At the request of the ONE Trust, you may be required to conduct your duties elsewhere. The Trust reserves the right to change your area of work, temporarily or otherwise, as may be required, subject to reasonable notice and prior consultation with you.

We would like to hear from those candidates who feel that they can demonstrate the characteristics and skills we are looking for and hold the relevant qualifications to meet the demands of this post.

ONE Trust is strongly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and all candidates will be subject to online checks. You will be responsible for the safety and welfare of the children in your care in line with KCSIE 2025.