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- Tasks: Lead estates operations across schools, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Company: Join a supportive family of schools dedicated to excellence in education.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Travel across beautiful North East locations with a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children by ensuring quality facilities.
- Qualifications: Degree in Facilities or Construction Management with leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 48700 - 51000 £ per year.
At the North East Learning Trust (NELT), we are more than your average multi‑academy education trust – we are a tight knit family of schools that support each other and truly embody our region’s renowned spirit of collaboration to make sure that children across the North East get the best start in life. Our vision, along with all schools in the Trust, is that every child experiences excellence every day.
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Head of Estates to lead the Trust’s estates and facilities functions across all schools. This is a key leadership role, ensuring our estate is compliant, well‑maintained, and fully supports high‑quality education every day.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Trust‑wide estates operations, ensuring safe, reliable and compliant delivery across maintenance, cleaning, security, catering, and facilities services.
- Implement and manage robust operational systems, standards and contracts, ensuring services are efficient, high‑quality, value for money and aligned with Trust objectives.
- Provide strong leadership across central and school‑based estates teams, offering training, guidance and clear direction to embed a positive safety culture and consistent best practice.
- Work in conjunction with the Trust Health & Safety Manager to ensure compliance with H&S standards and support audits and inspections.
The role covers schools across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham, and Redcar. It involves travel to all academy sites as required and offers a flexible, agile approach to work, with hours and location adapted to the needs of the role and the individual.
Qualifications
- Hold a degree (or equivalent) in Facilities or Construction Management, with proven experience leading estates or FM services.
- Have strong hard and soft FM expertise, including maintenance, catering, cleaning, security, capital project delivery and contract management.
- Demonstrate commercial and project management capability, able to manage budgets, oversee contractors and deliver high‑quality, consistent services across all schools.
- Have strong leadership and communication skills, building effective relationships with Headteachers, site teams and external partners while driving high performance across estates functions.
Head of Estates in Peterlee employer: North East Learning Trust
Contact Detail:
North East Learning Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates in Peterlee
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved in estates management. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved operations in previous roles. This will help them see you as the proactive leader they need.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for a site visit! If you're applying for the Head of Estates role, prepare to discuss how you'd approach managing multiple sites. Familiarise yourself with the schools in the Trust and think about how you can enhance their facilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our tight-knit family at NELT.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates in Peterlee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for improving educational environments shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission of providing excellence every day for children across the North East.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail your previous roles in estates or facilities management. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to manage budgets and projects effectively.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our Trust!
How to prepare for a job interview at North East Learning Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Head of Estates role. Brush up on your knowledge of facilities management, compliance standards, and how to lead teams effectively. Being able to discuss specific examples from your past experience will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but have successfully implemented them.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so be prepared to share stories about how you've led teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve had to motivate staff, manage conflicts, or implement new systems. Highlighting your ability to foster a positive safety culture will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand the Trust's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the North East Learning Trust’s mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to ensuring every child experiences excellence every day. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come armed with thoughtful questions. Ask about the current challenges the estates team faces or how they measure success in this role. This not only demonstrates your interest but also gives you valuable insights into whether this is the right fit for you.