At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage school premises, ensuring safety, maintenance, and security.
- Company: Join Thinking Facilities, part of The Thinking Schools Academy Trust, dedicated to student success.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, pension scheme, training opportunities, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in caretaking, health & safety management, and a clean driving licence required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with a focus on staff wellbeing and recognition.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About The Role
Thinking Facilities are seeking to appoint a Site Manager, who will be primarily based at The Portsmouth Academy. Travel to other sites within the hub may be required to cover absence or provide additional support when required. The successful post-holder will manage the utilisation of school premises, ensuring that they are secure, safe and well-maintained. This will involve management of Health and Safety procedures, management of cleaning, overseeing maintenance programmes and ensuring that budgets are monitored accordingly. You will line manage Facilities Officers within the team whilst supporting the Regional Facilities Manager and/or Deputy Head of Estates, to monitor capital projects taking place.
Key responsibilities include:
- Overseeing general security arrangements.
- Prioritising and delegating tasks using CAFM software.
- Managing the shift system, ensuring that all requirements both in and out-of-hours are taken into consideration.
37 hours per week 08:00 - 16:00 (finish 15:30 on a Friday) subject to discussion at interview.
What you will need to succeed:
- Previous experience as a caretaker or similar.
- Manage the utilisation of the premises and associated budgets for both educational and allied usage across The Thinking Schools Academy Trust.
- Oversee the maintenance programme and monitor any associated budgets.
- Practical skills in maintenance and cleaning.
- Health & Safety management.
- Experience of working within an Academy/School is desirable.
- A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Full clean driving licence with access to own transport.
About Us
Thinking Facilities ensure our academies are safe, secure and fit for purpose for students, staff and visitors. The team support and oversee site maintenance, through a dedicated help desk service and committed site staff, caretaking and cleaning services, advice and support on the development of capital building projects, health and safety management and support, including oversight of planned maintenance services and training and development. The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is a family of schools consisting of both primary and secondary schools across the South East, South and the South West.
What our Trust will offer you:
- Competitive Pay Scales: Our TSAT pay scales exceed national levels.
- Performance Related Pay: We operate a Professional Growth policy that allows us to reward staff who meet their objectives with additional pay for exceptional performance.
- Pension Scheme Membership: Secure your future with membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Annual Leave: A pro-rata annual leave entitlement of 27 days for support staff, increasing to 31 after 5 years of service.
- Collaborative Support: Benefit from resources, mentoring, and school visits across our Trust hubs.
- Training: Expand your skills and knowledge with opportunities for Trust-funded apprenticeships and training courses.
- Knowledge and Curriculum Sharing: Regular MAT meets alongside our regional hub model offers a network of collaboration for staff to share best practice.
- Cycle2Work Scheme: Salary sacrifice scheme to purchase a new bike with National Insurance savings.
- Staff Wellbeing Focus: Access our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, free flu vaccinations, and eye care vouchers.
- TSTARS Staff Recognition: You will be part of our Staff Recognition Programme, with seasonal rewards for all staff.
- Refer a Friend: Spread the word and benefit financially from our Refer a Friend Scheme.
- Store Discounts: Support staff have access to 'Discount for Teachers' scheme that offers a huge range of money saving deals and vouchers.
- Tax Relief on Uniform: Claim for uniform maintenance, with no receipts required.
- Blue Light Card: School staff can now access the Blue Light Card for discounts across a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out and much more!
Next steps:
If you are interested in working for our Trust in our Facilities Team, benefitting from a supportive network of colleagues across our Trust, and are keen to progress your career then please apply today! Early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to close the vacancy if a suitable candidate is found.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. As per KCSIE we will also undertake online searches for all shortlisted candidates.
Site Manager - The Portsmouth Academy employer: The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
Contact Detail:
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Manager - The Portsmouth Academy
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific Health and Safety regulations relevant to school environments. Understanding these will not only help you in the interview but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.
✨Tip Number 2
Gain practical experience with CAFM software, as this is crucial for managing tasks and delegating responsibilities effectively. If you haven't used it before, consider taking an online course or tutorial to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former site managers within educational settings. They can provide valuable insights into the role and may even offer tips on how to stand out during the application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing budgets and maintenance programmes. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully overseen similar responsibilities in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Site Manager - The Portsmouth Academy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, particularly in facilities management, health and safety, and any previous roles as a caretaker or similar. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in managing budgets and overseeing maintenance programmes.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at The Portsmouth Academy. Mention your understanding of the responsibilities outlined in the job description and how your background aligns with the requirements, such as your practical skills in maintenance and cleaning.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your experience with CAFM software and your ability to manage security arrangements and shift systems. If you have experience working within an academy or school, make sure to include that as it is desirable for this position.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Site Manager role.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience as a caretaker or in a similar role. Highlight specific examples of how you've managed premises, overseen maintenance programmes, and handled budgets effectively.
✨Demonstrate Health & Safety Knowledge
Since health and safety management is crucial for this role, be ready to talk about your understanding of relevant procedures and regulations. Share any experiences where you successfully implemented safety measures.
✨Familiarise Yourself with CAFM Software
As the role involves using CAFM software for task prioritisation and delegation, it’s beneficial to have a basic understanding of such systems. If you have experience with similar software, mention it during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the academy's facilities management. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand the expectations better.