At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate the operational environment at St Leonards School, ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Company: St Leonards School, a prestigious independent school in St Andrews with a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to shape educational experiences.
- 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.
Truly an education ‘Ad Vitam’ (for life).
Head of Estates and Facilities in Leven employer: Teacheroo
St Leonards School is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead and innovate within a vibrant educational environment. With a commitment to employee growth and development, the school fosters a collaborative work culture that values strategic thinking and operational excellence. Located in the picturesque town of St Andrews, employees benefit from a supportive community, stunning surroundings, and the chance to contribute to a globally-recognised curriculum that shapes the future of young learners.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates and Facilities in Leven
✨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 the attention it deserves. 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 in Leven
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 leadership abilities!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. We love to see quantifiable results, so if you’ve improved operational performance or managed a successful project, let us know!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who fits well with our friendly and forward-looking culture at St Leonards, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for education and facilities management.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application 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 there!
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 mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for a senior leadership role, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in managing teams and projects. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led a multi-disciplinary workforce or improved operational performance. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively in a busy school environment.
✨Emphasise Compliance and Safety
Given the importance of health and safety compliance in this role, come ready to discuss your understanding of relevant regulations and how you've ensured compliance in past positions. Share strategies you've implemented to maintain a safe and compliant environment, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Discuss Sustainability Initiatives
With sustainability being a key focus, think about how you can contribute to the school's ambitions in this area. Prepare to share ideas or past initiatives you've been involved in that promote sustainability within estates and facilities management. This will show that you're forward-thinking and aligned with the school's long-term priorities.
