At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the operational environment of St Leonards School, ensuring safety and efficiency across 19 buildings.
- Company: St Leonards School, a forward-thinking independent school in the heart of St Andrews.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to shape educational experiences.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on sustainability and strategic improvements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives by enhancing their learning environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in facilities management and strong compliance knowledge.
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 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 vision meets operational excellence, all set against the stunning backdrop of St Andrews. Employees benefit from a supportive atmosphere, competitive remuneration, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students through the management of a diverse estate and facilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates and Facilities
✨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 interviews 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 past experiences in managing teams and budgets. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to improve operational performance and ensure compliance.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates and Facilities
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Estates and Facilities. We want to see how you can shape our operational environment, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills!
Showcase Leadership Experience:As a senior leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past, especially in facilities management or similar environments. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to make your key achievements stand out!
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 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. Think about specific instances where you've implemented or improved compliance measures, and be prepared to explain how you would ensure a safe and compliant environment at St Leonards.
✨Budget Management Insights
With an annual operational budget of approximately £450k, it's essential to showcase your financial acumen. Be prepared to discuss your experience managing budgets, including any capital investment programmes you've overseen. Highlight your strategic approach to resource allocation and how it can benefit the school's operational resilience.
