At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the school's estate, ensuring safety and operational efficiency.
- Company: Ambitious secondary school in Reading with a strong focus on academic progress.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and funded safety certifications.
- Other info: Join a valued team in a well-established school with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Lead a dynamic team and make a real impact on student welfare and safety.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilities management and knowledge of health and safety legislation.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Start Date: September 2026
Contract: Full-time, Permanent (Year-Round Framework)
Salary: Paid to scale
The Role
An ambitious Secondary School in Reading is seeking a professional, highly analytical, and exceptionally organised Site Manager to take full strategic and operational ownership of the school’s physical estate, building assets, and health and safety compliance protocols. This is a high-profile support leadership role, perfectly suited for an experienced estates professional, commercial facilities manager, or senior technician who excels at managing budgets, writing safety parameters, and coordinating complex contractor operations.
The successful candidate will lead the day-to-day operational safety, clean logistics, and mechanical efficiency of a large, high-capacity secondary campus. Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the caretaking team's shift cycles
- Overseeing the building management system (BMS)
- Tracking utility efficiency parameters
- Executing a rigid planned preventative maintenance (PPM) program
You will be directly responsible for the flawless logging of all statutory compliance records, including emergency lighting diagnostics, fire safety protocols, legionella flushing logs, and mechanical lift accreditations.
You will act as the principal point of contact for the local authority and the senior leadership team on all matters relating to building compliance and health and safety (HASAWA frameworks). Absolute professionalism, calm problem-solving capabilities, and crisp communication skills are required, as you will balance unexpected mechanical issues with long-term capital expenditure tracking and major procurement operations.
School Information
This is an 11 to 18 well-established School in Reading with an outstanding track record for academic progress, structural innovation, and pupil welfare. The school features beautifully maintained traditional architectures integrated with modern, high-spec technology blocks and sports spaces. The estate is meticulously managed, and the premises team is treated as a highly valued, core pillar of the wider school faculty. Staff benefit from a highly supportive professional culture, visible and approachable senior leadership, an excellent facilities budget, and funded pathways for advanced safety certifications (such as IOSH or NEBOSH training).
Requirements
- Proven experience in facilities management, estate coordination, or a senior site manager role within an educational or large-scale public sector setting
- Deep working knowledge of current health and safety legislation, COSHH regulations, and statutory building compliance frameworks (IOSH/NEBOSH highly desirable)
- Strong IT and data management capabilities, with confidence utilizing digital facilities dashboards and asset software
- Professional, objective, and proactive approach to team leadership and contractor management
- A background in a specialized trade (plumbing, electrical, carpentry) or building fabric repair is highly advantageous
Application
To apply, please send your comprehensive CV as soon as possible.
Site Manager – Ambitious Secondary School in Reading employer: Marchant Recruitment
This ambitious secondary school in Reading is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and professional work culture where the estates team is recognised as a vital part of the school's success. With a commitment to employee growth through funded safety certifications and a strong focus on health and safety compliance, staff can thrive in a dynamic environment that values their contributions and fosters career advancement. The school's outstanding facilities and approachable leadership further enhance the rewarding experience of working in this vibrant educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Manager – Ambitious Secondary School in Reading
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Marchant Recruitment, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Site Manager – Ambitious Secondary School in Reading at Marchant Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Site Manager – Ambitious Secondary School in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marchant Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
