Purpose of the post

The Trust Operations Manager for Estates Services, will lead the strategic and operational management of the Trust’s estate, ensuring that all buildings and sites are safe, compliant, well-maintained and support high-quality learning environments.

The role is responsible for developing and implementing estates strategies that align with the Trust’s vision and ensuring best value across all estates-related activities.

Working collaboratively with academies and the central team, the Trust Operations Manager will provide professional leadership, guidance, and assurance in all matters relating to property and facilities management.

Examples of the type of work the postholder will lead:

• Develop and maintain positive, solutions-focused relationships with peers and School leaders, incorporating the needs of the School, the Estate and the Estates team
• To be the lead Estates advocate for continuous improvement in both the quality of the assets within their portfolio and the quality of the service provided to schools and the Trust at large.
• Ensure risk assessments, or  develop alternative working methods, support the service as required and highlight appropriate solutions. 
• Advise on security risks and issues, ensuring that necessary responsive arrangements are developed, planned and implemented to achieve comprehensive, safe and secure access at all times.
• Undertake property surveys and audits, supporting the development of maintenance plans that determine and respond to priorities within planned financial constraints.
• Support other Service Area Leads with emergency cleaning and basic maintenance to make safe, repair or maintain the fabric of the building, facilities or equipment for our pupils and staff.
• To lead a team which efficiently plans, orders and arranges the delivery and storage of materials and equipment and provides a flexible, responsive and user focused porterage service.
• Ensure all necessary recording and reporting is both timely and accurate to guarantee correct charging, compliance with service or maintenance schedules and performance monitoring.
• Identify, highlight and respond to major areas of concern or variance and instigate the necessary intervention and reporting to achieve service objectives within allocated funding.
• Provide leadership of the Estates Service across the regions.
• Organise and manage sickness absence including arranging cover, carrying out return to work interviews and with the support of HR managing absence in line with the Trust Absence Management Policy. 

Health and Safety

Health and Safety in partnership with the Director of Operations, Head of Services, Service Area Leads, Head of Capital, Project Managers and Academy Leaders.

• Lead and promote a strong Health and Safety culture across the Trust.
• Aid in the development and delivery of the health and safety strategy to identify effective practices and behaviours, creating a positive culture in this critical area of operation.
• Drive continuous improvement across health, safety and environmental performance.