At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and modernise the estates and facilities for an exceptional educational environment.
- Company: St Leonards School, a forward-thinking independent school in St Andrews.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to shape future operations.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team in a historic location with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' educational experiences in a vibrant setting.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in facilities management and strategic planning.
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 Fife 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 enjoying the stunning surroundings of St Andrews. The role of Head of Estates and Facilities not only provides a chance to shape operational excellence but also to contribute to a legacy of high-quality education in a historic and inspiring location.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates and Facilities in Fife
✨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 job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, highlight your experience in managing teams and projects. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've improved operational performance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Research schools like St Leonards and reach out directly to express your interest in future opportunities. You never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application and showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at St Leonards.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates and Facilities in Fife
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Estates and Facilities role. Highlight your relevant experience in facilities management and leadership, and show us how you can contribute to shaping the operational environment at St Leonards.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to manage teams and projects effectively. Share examples of how you've led diverse teams, managed budgets, and improved operational performance in previous roles.
Emphasise Compliance and Safety:Given the importance of health and safety compliance in this role, make sure to highlight your experience in ensuring safe environments. We want to see how you've tackled compliance challenges and implemented effective safety measures in past positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you 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. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teacheroo
✨Know the School Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to research St Leonards School thoroughly. Understand its ethos, values, and the unique aspects of its educational approach, especially the International Baccalaureate curriculum. This knowledge will help you align your vision for the estates and facilities with the school's long-term priorities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for a senior leadership role, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead a diverse team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in complex environments. Highlight your experience in modernising systems and improving operational performance, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of health and safety compliance in this role, be ready to discuss your experience with compliance assurance and risk management. Think of specific instances where you've implemented successful compliance strategies or improved safety standards, as this will show your capability to maintain a safe and compliant environment.
✨Budget Management Insights
With an annual operational budget of approximately £450k, it's essential to demonstrate your financial acumen. Be prepared to discuss your experience managing budgets, including any capital investment programmes you've overseen. Share how you've optimised resources while ensuring high-quality service delivery, which is vital for the role.
