At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in creating safe, welcoming spaces for students and staff.
- Company: Join a specialist school dedicated to supporting young people with complex needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, pension options, mental health support, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Hands-on role with excellent career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference every day in a dynamic and varied role.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilities management and strong knowledge of health and safety regulations.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Location: Abbey Gardens School, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6SA
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 7:30am - 3:30pm
Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Contract: Permanent (52 weeks)
Start: June 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced, proactive and hands-on Facilities Manager to join our team and play a vital role in creating safe, welcoming and high-quality spaces where pupils and staff can thrive. This is more than a facilities role – it’s an opportunity to lead, innovate and make a visible difference every day. You'll take ownership of the school environment, ensuring our facilities operate efficiently, safely and to the highest standards. This is a varied, hands-on role where no two days are the same. Alongside leading facilities services, you’ll also play an active role in caretaking duties, carrying out repairs, troubleshooting maintenance issues and ensuring the school environment remains safe, welcoming and fully operational.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the facilities ensuring high standards across maintenance, domestic services, catering, and housekeeping.
- Plan, prioritise, and manage all responsive, cyclical, and planned maintenance, including capital and operational expenditure.
- Monitor, audit, and quality-check all work schedules, contractor performance, and completed projects to ensure value for money.
- Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety, food hygiene, fire safety, COSHH, and all regulatory requirements.
- Oversee procurement and correct use of equipment, vehicles, chemicals, and supplies to support efficient service delivery.
- Respond to repair requests, assess needs, coordinate solutions, and act as first response to environmental or maintenance issues.
About You
- Proven experience managing facilities, maintenance teams, and contractors within a multi-site or education/care environment.
- Strong knowledge of Health & Safety, fire safety, food hygiene, COSHH, and regulatory compliance.
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage planned and reactive workloads effectively.
- Confident people leadership skills, including supervision, performance management, training, and supporting staff wellbeing.
- A practical, hands-on approach with sound problem-solving ability and the resilience to respond to emergencies and out-of-hours issues.
- Driving licence required.
Benefits
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- 'Your Wellbeing Matters' – 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
Recruitment and EEO Statement
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
About the Employer
Papworth Hall School is a specialist school in Cambridgeshire catering for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs.
Facilities Manager employer: Hillingdon Manor School
Strawberry Lane School in Durham is an excellent employer that prioritises a supportive and nurturing work culture, where every team member is valued for their commitment and warmth. With opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with dedicated teachers and therapists, you will play a vital role in helping students with additional needs flourish. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our pupils while enjoying a fulfilling and rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Facilities Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and facilities management sectors. Attend local events or join online forums where you can meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities. Share specific examples of how you've improved facilities or handled emergencies in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a job that fits, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email to express your enthusiasm. It shows you're keen and ready to jump in!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around health and safety compliance. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for creating a safe and welcoming environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Facilities Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience managing facilities and teams. We want to see how you've tackled challenges in similar environments, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Be Specific About Skills:Mention your knowledge of Health & Safety regulations and any relevant certifications. We’re looking for someone who knows their stuff, so be clear about how your skills align with the role.
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to tailor your application to our job description. Use keywords from the listing to show us you understand what we’re looking for. It’ll help your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hillingdon Manor School
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations, fire safety, and food hygiene. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about maintaining a safe environment for everyone.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or managed projects in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate staff and handle performance management, as this role requires strong people leadership skills.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about how you'd handle specific maintenance issues or emergencies. Think through some real-life scenarios where you had to troubleshoot problems and be ready to share your thought process during the interview.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the school's facilities and any challenges they currently face. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can make a difference from day one.
