Premises Manager

About Us

Harris Garrard Academy is a school that disrupts the status quo in order to drive social mobility for our young people. Our academic results have placed us in the top 10% nationally for secondary and 5% for our primary phase; transforming students' lives forever. We are located in the wider South Thamesmead area and are accessible by fantastic rail and bus transport links (we are on the Elizabeth Line, Bus Superloop bus route). The academy’s stunning working environment is within a purpose built school designed by Norman Foster and nominated for the Stirling Prize for architecture in 2004.

Our vision is clear: nothing is impossible and everything is possible, irrespective of personal characteristics or background. Every problem has a solution. We believe we are more robust, resilient and determined as a team than as a group of individuals. We support, challenge and hold each other to account at all levels within the academy to ensure that our students achieve their potential, are motivated, engaged and fully prepared for life beyond our academy.

As one of Harris’s successful all through academies, staff at all levels belong to a strong, cohesive team working with Executive Principal Wayne Barnett and Head of Academy Kristen Gringeri and the wider SLT team. Staff can expect to grow with us as we continue to innovate and evolve as an academy. With ample opportunity to build on CPD, your potential is limitless with us.

Summary

Are you looking to support your local academy? We are looking for a Premises Manager to manage the Premises Team responsible for the upkeep, care, maintenance, health and safety of the academy, with the direction and leadership of the Estates Manager and Head of Academy. This role will cover both our primary and secondary sites.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• All people management aspects of the premises team, including recruitment, performance management and training, and scheduling, prioritising and supervising their work.
• Supervising all work completed by outside agencies on the premises and grounds.
• Building and refurbishing areas of the academy as required, and maintaining, decorating and repairing the premises within the team's capabilities, including contributing personally to these activities.
• Ensuring academy vehicles are maintained, serviced and cleaned.
• Providing technical and craft support to teaching staff within the capability of the team.
• Inspecting internal and external fabric of the buildings, initiating reparation of defects and prioritising necessary repairs.
• Liaising with relevant staff on all matters of security during the academy day and out of hours.
• Overseeing deliveries to the site as appropriate.
• Overseeing the production and delivery of a planned programme of maintenance and repair of buildings.
• Ensuring that all facilities for teaching and learning are as high quality as possible.
• Managing community use and bookings of the premises, ensuring that a caretaking and facilities management service is provided to customers.
• Ensuring that sites and building comply with highest levels of security with regard to safeguarding at all times.
• Ensuring site and buildings related health and safety systems and processes are of high quality and reporting on these to relevant staff.
• Inspecting the condition and quality of premises, taking action to address any issues.
• Managing the security and opening/closing of the building, including security systems.

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Relevant degree or equivalent qualifications/experience.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and requirements.
• Training in relevant Health and Safety requirements.
• Sound training in one or more of 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.
• The ability for some heavy lifting, with physical fitness appropriate to tasks required.
• The ability to deal with emergencies occurring outside normal working hours.

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 our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

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, an online search, 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.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation. Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.