At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage facilities to create safe, efficient environments for learning.
- Company: Join a supportive team at The Holden School, part of Outcomes First Group.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day working week, competitive salary, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilities management and relevant health & safety qualifications required.
- Other info: Be part of a certified 'Great Place to Work' with excellent growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 35875 - 50225 ÂŁ per year.
Location: The Holden School, Leigh WN7 4SB
Salary: ÂŁ35,875.00 per annum (Not pro rata)
Hours: To Be Discussed
Contract: Permanent | Term Time plus 4 weeks
Start Date: February 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
About the Role
As Facilities Manager, you will lead the delivery of a high-quality, safe and efficient facilities service across our schools. You will be responsible for ensuring that buildings, grounds and support services are well maintained, compliant with legislation, and aligned with company standards, creating environments that support learning, wellbeing and operational excellence. This is a handsâon leadership role requiring strong organisational skills, sound technical knowledge and the ability to manage people, resources and external contractors effectively, while remaining responsive to the needs of the schools and service users.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and supervise the facilities team, providing dayâtoâday oversight of maintenance, repairs, domestic and cateringârelated services (service dependent).
- Ensure all facilities are maintained to a consistently high standard and that the team fulfils its responsibilities effectively.
- Coordinate and manage relevant areas of capital and operational expenditure, ensuring value for money.
- Monitor, audit and review schedules of work and the quality of completed projects.
- Liaise with external contractors and suppliers, ensuring costâeffective contracts are in place and regularly reviewed.
- Prioritise, plan and organise both planned and reactive workloads across all areas of responsibility.
- Manage onâcall and outâofâhours rotas, participating in the onâcall team to ensure effective responses.
- Develop and oversee maintenance programmes covering reactive, cyclical and planned works.
- Ensure risk assessments, procedures and systems are in place and compliant with company standards and legislation.
- Provide advice and guidance on health and safety, fire safety, food hygiene and buildingârelated regulatory matters.
- Support the development of monitoring and recording systems for health and safety and regulatory compliance.
Staff Leadership and Management
- Undertake delegated management responsibilities, including supervisions, appraisals, probation reviews and returnâtoâwork meetings.
- Lead and supervise staff on shift, ensuring high standards of conduct, performance and teamwork.
- Support staff wellbeing, safety and professional development, including training and mentoring.
Experience and Qualifications Required
- IOSH, COSHH and/or other relevant Health & Safety qualifications.
- Proven experience managing facilities, maintenance services and compliance within a regulated environment.
This role offers the opportunity to play a vital part in creating safe, compliant and welcoming environments where pupils and staff can thrive.
About Us
The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 16, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life. We are a Therapeutic Led, Trauma Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.
We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them academically and socially, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.
We offer a wide range of opportunities to develop your career while taking on rewarding challenges. Acorn Education is a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are at the forefront of creating and delivering innovative approaches that support children and young people in our care to make meaningful progress.
We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- Your Wellbeing Matters â mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Facilities Manager in Leigh employer: Acorn Care and Education
Contact Detail:
Acorn Care and Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Facilities Manager in Leigh
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the facilities management field. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to wellbeing and how they implement the 4-Day Working Week. Tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their mission.
â¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've managed teams and projects effectively. Highlight your ability to create safe and compliant environments that support learning.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows youâre genuinely interested in joining #teamOFG and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Facilities Manager in Leigh
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Facilities Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing facilities and compliance, and show us how your skills align with our values at The Holden School.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a hands-on leader, itâs important to demonstrate your ability to manage teams effectively. Share examples of how you've led teams in the past, focusing on your approach to staff wellbeing and professional development.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and achievements, making it easy for us to see why youâd be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This way, youâll ensure that your application is received directly by our team, and you can easily track its progress!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Care and Education
â¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations, especially IOSH and COSHH. Being able to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can also implement it effectively.
â¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a facilities management context. Think about times when youâve had to motivate staff or manage conflicts. This role is all about people management, so demonstrating your leadership style will be key.
â¨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations, like handling a maintenance emergency or managing a difficult contractor. Practise your responses to these scenarios, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
â¨Align with Their Values
Research The Holden School and Outcomes First Groupâs commitment to wellbeing and education. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to creating a safe and supportive environment for both staff and students.