At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and modernise the estates and facilities at St Leonards School for an exceptional educational experience.
- Company: St Leonards School, a forward-looking independent school in the heart of St Andrews.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to shape a vibrant educational environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team in a historic location with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives by enhancing their learning environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in facilities management and a passion for education.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is a significant leadership opportunity to shape the future operational environment of St Leonards School. The Head of Estates and Facilities will provide strategic and operational leadership across the School’s estate, facilities, compliance, and operational support services, ensuring the delivery of a safe, compliant, efficient, and high-quality environment that supports an exceptional educational experience.
The postholder will oversee a complex estate of 19 buildings operating within a busy day and boarding school environment with 24/7 operational requirements. The role is responsible for estates infrastructure, facilities management, health and safety compliance, transport operations, grounds, cleaning services, capital projects, and operational resilience.
As a senior leader, the postholder will play a key role in modernising systems, improving operational performance, strengthening compliance assurance, supporting sustainability ambitions, and delivering strategic estate improvements aligned to the School’s long-term priorities. The role manages an annual operational budget of approximately £450k alongside a multi-year capital investment programme and leads a multi-disciplinary workforce of approximately 25–30 staff plus contractors.
The post holder will work closely with the Board, Head, DFO, and Executive Leadership Team and will sit on the Senior Management Team.
St Leonards is a friendly and forward-looking independent, coeducational, boarding and day school situated on an historic campus at the heart of the university town of St Andrews. The school enjoys an unrivalled location - there are sandy beaches, world-class Links golf courses, and historic sites on its doorstep.
St Leonards delivers the inspiring, globally-recognised International Baccalaureate curriculum for pupils aged five to 18, and was the first school to be accredited as an all-through IB school in Scotland. It is one of just two schools in the UK to actively offer all four IB programmes, ensuring a seamless learner journey.
The youngest pupils follow the Primary Years Programme, which goes hand-in-hand with the vibrant Outdoor Learning programme at St Leonards. This is followed by the Middle Years Programme and (I)GCSEs. In the Sixth Form, pupils choose between the Career-related Programme and the Diploma Programme.
St Leonards enjoys a rich sporting heritage, and continues to boast a strong record of achievement with pupils representing the school nationally in golf, rugby, lacrosse, hockey, horse riding, and small-bore rifle shooting. The leading five-tier Golf Programme continues to go from strength to strength, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is the fastest growing of all Scottish independent schools, and an exciting calendar of trips and activities ensures pupils leave St Leonards equipped with the skills required to succeed in today’s ever-changing world.
Head of Estates and Facilities in Cupar employer: Teacheroo
St Leonards School is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to lead and innovate within a vibrant educational environment. With a commitment to employee growth, the school fosters a collaborative work culture where strategic initiatives are supported by a dedicated team, all while being situated in the picturesque town of St Andrews, surrounded by stunning landscapes and rich history. Employees benefit from competitive packages, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students through the delivery of high-quality facilities and services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates and Facilities in Cupar
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience in estates and facilities management. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching St Leonards School thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in shaping their operational environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience managing teams and budgets. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've improved operational performance or compliance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates and Facilities in Cupar
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in estates and facilities management. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of St Leonards, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Leadership Experience:As this role is all about leadership, be sure to emphasise your previous roles where you’ve led teams or projects. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and manage a diverse workforce, so share those stories that demonstrate your leadership style.
Highlight Compliance Knowledge:Given the importance of health and safety compliance in this role, make sure to mention any relevant qualifications or experiences you have in this area. We want to know how you’ve ensured safety and compliance in past positions!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at St Leonards. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teacheroo
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Head of Estates and Facilities. Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as compliance, operational support services, and budget management. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're the right fit for the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior leader, you'll need to highlight your experience in managing teams and projects. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams or improved operational performance in previous roles. This will give the interviewers confidence in your ability to lead at St Leonards.
✨Align with Their Values
St Leonards is all about providing an exceptional educational experience. Be ready to discuss how your vision for estates and facilities aligns with their commitment to sustainability and modernising systems. Showing that you share their values will make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about the school's long-term priorities or how they envision the future of their estate. This not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also gives you valuable insights into their expectations and culture.
