Regional Primary Estates Manager in London

Summary

We are looking for a Regional Estates Manager to be responsible for the Premises Teams in primary Academies.

Under the direction and leadership of the Estates Manager, you will ensure that each academy team maintains the upkeep, care, maintenance, health and safety and facilities management of the academy. You will also be expected to stand in for site managers when they are absent, supporting with the locking up and opening of academies.

About Us

The Harris Federation is a leading education charity with 52 Harris primary and secondary academies across London and Essex. The founder, Chairman and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We now educate some 38,000 young people and closing the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission.

The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London.

Our central team comprises a dedicated, driven group of departments working centrally to provide support across the Federation and all of our academies. Across a multitude of key departments, we maintain an outstanding body of staff all integral to supporting central and academy finance, HR, Data, Estates management, Talent and many more.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Leadership and Management of Premises Team

• Responsible for all people management aspects of cleaning services, premises assistants, including their recruitment, performance management and training
• Schedule, prioritise and supervise the work of the premises staff, and any other members of staff employed, within his/her area of responsibility
• EVERY Software: ensure premises managers use and keep the Federation compliance software up to date

Building Maintenance: To manage premises managers so that they:

• Supervise premises staff, to ensure that their work is directed to maximise 'value for money,’ ensuring high levels of productivity;
• Supervise all work completed by outside agencies on the premises and grounds, their services, fittings and equipment, ensuring any inefficiency or ineffectiveness are brought to the attention of the Estates Manager;
• Build/refurbish areas of the academy as required
• Provide such technical and craft support to teaching staff within the capability of staff at his/her disposal
• Regularly inspect internal and external fabric of the buildings, initiating reparation of defects and prioritising necessary repairs
• Liaise with Harris Federation Health and Safety Manager/ Principal / Assistant Director on all matters of security during the academy day and out of hours
• Maintain, decorate and repair the academy premises where such work is within the capabilities of the premises team
• Supervise oversight of deliveries to the site as appropriate
• oversee the production and delivery of a planned programme of maintenance and repair of the buildings
• Liaise with teaching staff and ensure that all facilities for teaching and learning are as high quality as possible
• Contribute personally to repairs and maintenance alongside other staff
• Manage community use and bookings of the premises, liaising with the Executive Principal in managing bookings and ensuring that a caretaking and facilities management service is provided to customers

Supporting academy site managers

• Ensure that the sites and building comply with highest levels of security with regard to safeguarding before, after and during hours
• Ensure health and safety systems and processes that are site or buildings related are of high quality
• regularly inspect the condition and quality of the premises, taking action to address any issues that arise
• manage the security and opening/closing of the building
• be responsible for security systems and the security of the academy

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and requirements
• Training in relevant Health and Safety requirements
• Sound training in one or more of the following; plumbing, general and ground maintenance, electrical/building maintenance, heating systems (or sound experience of same).
• Knowledge of the operation of heating, ventilating systems and common causes of malfunctions.
• Knowledge of maintenance and security systems and procedures
• Knowledge of procurement procedures for service level agreements
• Knowledge of supervisory skills
• Understanding of appropriate cleaning methods and standards
• Demonstrable experience of working in an inner-city school or educational establishment with children and young people
• Considerable general maintenance experience
• Considerable experience in dealing with external contractors
• Successful experience of managing a team of premises staff
• Experience in obtaining best value for money when managing budgets
• Experience in managing premises budgets
• Experience of managing large building projects
• Experience of successfully managing a variety of events
• Experience in managing service level agreements ensuring good value for money

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via e-mail, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits.

We offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with 2 days from home and 3 days either with the team at our office in East Croydon or visiting one of our academies.

Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.