Contracts and Compliance Lead at Eastlea Community School

Location: Trust Central Team Office (with regular travel across Trust schools)

Report to: Head of Estates 

Line Management: Estates Administrator, Site Supervisor

Location: Trust Office, South East Building, Eastlea Community School

Salary: PO4 (£49,056)

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early and interview and appoint candidates before the advertised closing date. 

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Contracts and Compliance Lead to join our Central Trust Team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional to play a key role in ensuring our schools are safe, compliant and well maintained. Working closely with the Head of Estates, you will oversee estates-related contracts, statutory compliance, contractor performance and facilities management systems across our Trust schools.

You will build strong relationships with school leaders, site teams, contractors and external partners, ensuring services are delivered efficiently, represent excellent value for money and meet the highest standards of quality and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

As  a Contracts and Compliance Lead, you will:

• Have experience managing estates, facilities and service contracts. ideally within education,  local government or a multi-site organisation. 

• Monitor contractor performance against agreed service levels and KPIs, driving continuous improvement.

• Lead on the day-to-day management of PFI contracts at  trust schools, ensuring effective communication between all stakeholders.

• Coordinate procurement activities, contract renewals and supplier documentation.

• Ensure statutory compliance across all Trust sites, maintaining accurate records relating to fire safety, asbestos, water hygiene and other compliance areas.

• Carry out health and safety compliance monitoring and support regular audits.

• Develop and maintain effective contract management and compliance systems.

• Produce reports and performance information for senior leaders and Trustees.

• Work collaboratively with school site teams, senior leaders and external contractors to resolve operational issues.

• Line manage the Estates Administrator, providing support, guidance and professional development.

• Identify and manage contract and compliance risks, implementing effective mitigation measures.

• Support the development of policies, procedures and best practice across the Estates function.

• Deliver guidance and training to school-based staff on estates contracts and compliance matters.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience managing estates, facilities and service contracts, ideally within education, local government or a multi-site organisation.

• Possession of a valid IOSH Managing Safely certificate (or willingness to work towards it).

• Strong knowledge of statutory compliance, health and safety and facilities management.

• Experience monitoring contractor performance and maintaining positive supplier relationships.

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with confidence using spreadsheets and digital systems.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

• Experience of line managing staff and supporting their development.

• A proactive, solution-focused approach and commitment to continuous improvement.

Flexibility

This is a Trust-wide role based within the Central Team Office, requiring regular travel between Trust schools. The successful candidate must be willing to work across any Trust site as operational needs require.

If you are an experienced estates or facilities professional looking to make a real impact across a family of schools, we would welcome your application.

Safeguarding:

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every member of staff has a responsibility to identify concerns, act appropriately and always work in the best interests of children.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Equality, Health & Safety and Data Protection:

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

All employees are expected to comply with Trust policies relating to health and safety, safeguarding and data protection, including UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.