At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the facilities operation, ensuring a safe and clean environment for students.
- Company: Woldingham School, a prestigious boarding school with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Rent-free accommodation, five weeks' holiday, pension scheme, and access to on-site facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a vibrant school community while enjoying beautiful surroundings.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilities management and strong health & safety knowledge required.
- Other info: Join a supportive staff community with regular social initiatives and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 ÂŁ per year.
In a boarding school, the day-to-day experience depends on how well the environment is run. As Facilities Manager, you'll sit at the centre of that operation, taking ownership of caretaking, domestic services and health & safety to ensure everything runs safely, cleanly and consistently. This is a handsâon leadership role for someone who enjoys responsibility, visibility and running a live environment properly.
Why this role
Youâll lead the dayâtoâday facilities operation across a diverse estate, bringing caretaking and domestic services together under one manager for the first time. Your focus will be on embedding clear standards, strong health & safety discipline and robust processes, while balancing leadership with practical support when needed. Youâll act as the onâsite incident lead during onâcall shifts, working closely with the Estates Manager and Logistics Manager. This is not a deskâbased role; it suits someone who is organised, visible and comfortable stepping in when required.
The accommodation
Woldingham operates yearâround as a boarding school, with over 46 private residences, 14 commercial buildings across 500+ acres of woodland. Outâofâhours response is a core part of keeping the school safe and running smoothly. For that reason, the role includes a rentâfree, onâsite threeâbedroom cottage. Living on site enables immediate response, continuity and presence during shared onâcall duties and is strongly preferred. The accommodation is provided to support the operational and safeguarding responsibilities of the post.
What youâll need
- Experience as a Facilities Manager or in a similar role within a complianceâled environment (education, healthcare, residential or complex commercial)
- Strong health & safety discipline (IOSH Managing Safely minimum)
- Confidence leading operational teams and managing change
- Excellent organisation, paperwork and process management
- A practical, handsâon leadership style with calm judgement under pressure
What youâll get
Alongside a rentâfree threeâbedroom cottage, youâll benefit from five weeks' holiday plus public holidays, a pension scheme with life assurance, and access to excellent onâsite facilities including the gym, swimming pool, squash and tennis courts. A free lunch is available during the working day when kitchens are open, alongside free onâsite parking. There is a strong staff community with regular social and wellbeing initiatives, and school fee remission is available. Most importantly, youâll step into a role where your work makes a real, dayâtoâday difference.
About Woldingham
Close to London yet set in an outstandingly beautiful rural landscape, Woldingham is a successful Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11â18, consistently ranked among the UK's leading independent schools. The school combines a proud 180âyear heritage with a clear commitment to innovation and longâterm sustainability.
Interested?
To apply, please send your CV to our retained recruitment consultant, Tom Morrison at Sielo Search: tom@sielosearch.com. For any questions about the role, feel free to email or contact Tom directly on 07537 162 323. Woldingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS report will be required for the successful candidate.
Facilities Manager employer: Sielo Search
Contact Detail:
Sielo Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Facilities Manager
â¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Woldingham School and its values. Understanding their mission will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the role and the school culture, plus it might just get your foot in the door!
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for hands-on scenarios! Since this role is all about practical leadership, think of examples from your past where you've successfully managed teams or dealt with emergencies. Be ready to share these stories during your interview.
â¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Facilities Manager
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Facilities Manager role. Highlight your hands-on leadership style and any relevant health & safety qualifications, like IOSH Managing Safely.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why youâre the perfect fit for Woldingham School. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed facilities in the past and how you can bring that experience to our team.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role requires excellent organisation and process management, make sure to demonstrate these skills in your application. Use bullet points or clear sections to make your information easy to digest.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you donât miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sielo Search
â¨Know Your Environment
Familiarise yourself with Woldingham School's facilities and the unique challenges of managing a boarding school. Understand the layout, key areas of responsibility, and any recent developments or changes in the estate that could impact your role.
â¨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your hands-on leadership approach. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led operational teams, managed change, and maintained high health and safety standards in previous roles.
â¨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Think of specific scenarios where you had to step in during a crisis or manage an incident. Highlight your calm judgement under pressure and how you ensured safety and continuity in those situations.
â¨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the school's facilities management processes, team dynamics, and expectations for the role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the environment aligns with your values and work style.