Summary

To lead and implement the Trust’s Estates strategy including asset management, risk, compliance and capital project programmes. To provide operational leadership of all matters relating to the Trust’s premises, facilities and Health and Safety, including oversight for ensuring the operational implementation of associated Trust wide policies and procedures. 

 Responsible to: CFOO (with strategic accountability to the CEO)

Responsible for: Estates & Premises Teams across Trust schools; external contractors

Location: Trust-wide (multi‑site responsibilities)

Contract: Full‑time, all‑year round

 

1. Role Purpose

The Head of Estates provides Trust‑wide leadership for the strategic and operational management of all Mercian Educational Trust buildings, land, and associated services.

The postholder will:

• Lead and implement the Trust’s Estates Strategy in line with DfE Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS) guidance.
• Ensure full statutory compliance across the estate, including health and safety, planned maintenance, and asset management.
• Lead capital project planning and delivery.
• Oversee risk management, resilience, energy efficiency, and security.
• Provide professional leadership, support and challenge to school leaders and estates staff.

The Head of Estates is the Trust’s Estates Compliance Lead, working with school‑based Responsible Persons to ensure legal compliance and high standards across all sites.

---

2. Key Areas of Responsibility

A. Strategic Estate Leadership

• Lead, review and deliver the Trust’s Estates Strategy in line with DfE GEMS.
• Provide strategic and operational guidance to Headteachers, Site Managers and the central team.
• Develop and maintain Trust-wide estate policies, procedures and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Lead the development of planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes.
• Maintain the Trust’s asset management database and ensure accurate, up‑to‑date records.

---

B. Statutory Compliance, Risk & Assurance

The postholder will act as the Trust’s Competent Person for estates-related Health & Safety, excluding areas where the Trust appoints external specialists.

• Oversee Trust-wide compliance for:
• Asbestos management
• Fire safety (working with school‑based Responsible Persons)
• Legionella and water hygiene
• Electrical safety
• Gas safety
• Playground and equipment safety
• Working at height
• Contractor safety and permits to work
• Conduct regular estate audits, identify non‑compliance, and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Monitor legislative changes and ensure Trust policies reflect them.
• Report risk status to the CEO, CFOO and Trust Board.

Responsible Person (RP) Clarification:

• Schools retain RP status for Fire Safety and day‑to‑day H&S.
• The Head of Estates provides assurance, systems oversight and professional direction.

---

C. Capital Project Management

• Lead the planning and delivery of the Trust’s annual capital programme, including SCA projects.
• Work with external consultants, contractors, and the central team from feasibility to project completion.
• Lead on project briefs, specifications, procurement, and contract management.
• Ensure all capital works comply with statutory legislation, building control, H&S regulations, and planning requirements.
• Monitor performance, quality, timelines, and budget adherence.
• Report regularly on project progress.

Budget Authority:

• The postholder may authorise expenditure within delegated limits as set out in the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation.

---

D. Finance, Procurement & Value for Money

• Support schools with estate-related budget planning and monitoring.
• Lead procurement of estate-related goods and services in line with Trust financial regulations.
• Ensure robust contract management, service level monitoring and performance review.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, intelligent resourcing and energy reduction.
• Contribute to bids for external funding to support Trust development.

---

E. Security, Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Ensure effective security arrangements and systems across all Trust sites.
• Ensure compliance with fire, intruder and alarm systems, including testing and certification.
• Lead or support emergency planning, business continuity and out‑of‑hours response arrangements.
• Participate in the on‑call rota and manage out‑of‑hours incident response where required.

---

F. Workforce Leadership & Development

• Provide professional leadership and operational support to Premises/Site staff.
• Support Headteachers with the recruitment, induction and performance management of estates personnel.
• Lead Trust-wide CPD for estates and premises staff.
• Promote strong communication, collaboration and consistency across school teams.
• Ensure effective deployment and cover arrangements across the estate.

Line Management:

• The postholder directly manages any central estates team and provides functional (dotted‑line) leadership to school-based site teams.

 

---

G. Relationships & Communication

• Maintain productive relationships with Headteachers, senior leaders, contractors, consultants and external agencies.
• Provide expert advice to the CEO, CFOO, Trust Board and Local Governing Bodies.
• Represent the Trust with local authorities, regulators and professional networks.

---

3. General Duties

• Uphold the Trust’s values and promote a culture of safety, integrity and professional excellence.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the role, as reasonably requested.
• Engage in professional development and adapt to changes as the Trust grows.

---

4. Safeguarding

Mercian Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The postholder must:

• Hold an enhanced DBS check (child workforce).
• Adhere to all Trust safeguarding policies.
• Report any child protection or safeguarding concerns immediately.

 

 The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  

 

Flexibility & Professional Growth

 As MET continues to grow and evolve, roles may develop and change focus. The postholder is expected to remain flexible and responsive to the Trust’s needs, and to engage fully in professional development that supports this evolution.

This job description outlines the key duties and responsibilities of the role but is not exhaustive. The postholder may be asked to undertake other tasks commensurate with the role and level of responsibility. It will be reviewed annually and may be amended following consultation.

Person Specification – Head of Estates

Qualifications & Training

Essential

·         Relevant professional qualification in estates management, facilities management, construction, building surveying or related discipline (e.g., IWFM Level 4+, NEBOSH General/Fire, HNC/HND).

·         Evidence of ongoing professional development in estates, compliance, H&S or asset management.

·         Health & Safety qualifications appropriate to the role (e.g., IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH modules).

Desirable

·         Degree-level qualification in a relevant field.

·         Project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM).

·         Asbestos awareness / duty-holder training.

·         Legionella Responsible Person training.

·         Membership of a recognised professional body (IWFM, RICS, CIOB, IOSH).

Experience

Essential

·         Significant experience leading estates, facilities or premises management across multiple sites or a complex estate.

·         Proven track record of managing statutory compliance including asbestos, fire, legionella, electrical, gas and other key safety areas.

·         Experience of leading and delivering capital projects from feasibility to completion.

·         Experience working with external contractors, consultants, planning and building control.

·         Experience developing and implementing planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes.

·         Experience managing budgets, procurement processes and value-for-money strategies.

·         Experience of leading and developing estates or premises teams.

Desirable

·         Experience working within a school, education, public sector or trust environment.

·         Experience producing reports for senior leaders, boards or governance bodies.

·         Experience in energy management or sustainability programmes.

·         Experience contributing to or leading successful bids for capital or maintenance funding (e.g., SCA, CIF).

Knowledge

Essential

·         Strong understanding of estate management best practice, aligned to DfE Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS).

·         In-depth knowledge of statutory compliance, risk management and H&S legislation relevant to estates.

·         Knowledge of building construction, maintenance, lifecycle planning and asset management.

·         Understanding of safeguarding principles as they relate to estates and school environments.

·         Knowledge of emergency planning, security systems, business continuity and incident response.

Desirable

·         Understanding of MAT governance structures and division of responsibilities.

·         Knowledge of sustainability standards, carbon reduction strategies and energy efficiency technologies.

Skills & Competencies

Essential

·         Ability to lead and influence across multiple schools and stakeholder groups.

·         Strong planning, organisation and project management skills.

·         Ability to interpret and apply legislation, technical reports and compliance data.

·         Effective line management skills with ability to support, challenge and develop staff.

·         Excellent communication skills.

·         Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

·         Competence in digital systems for asset management, compliance tracking and reporting.

·         Ability to manage competing priorities and respond flexibly to operational issues.

Desirable

·         Ability to prepare high-quality reports for senior leaders and boards.

·         Skills in contract management, negotiation and performance monitoring.

·         Confidence using AutoCAD, BIM or similar.

Personal Attributes

Essential

·         Commitment to the values, principles and vision of Mercian Educational Trust.

·         High levels of integrity, reliability and professional judgement.

·         Proactive, solutions-focused and able to work independently.

·         Calm and decisive under pressure.

·         Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach.

·         Commitment to safeguarding, equity, diversity and inclusion.

·         Willingness to work flexibly, travel across sites and participate in on-call/out-of-hours response.

Desirable

·         A mindset focused on continuous improvement and innovation in estates management.