Head of Estates & Facilities (£67,992 to £72,870)
Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools (ESMS) are recruiting for a permanent Head of Estates & Facilities to lead the Estates & Facilities Team on a full-time basis. The Head of Estates & Facilities will be responsible for providing strategic and operational management of the Schools' facilities, infrastructure, and estate to ensure high standards in building care, compliance, grounds management, landscaping, and cleaning services.
About ESMS
ESMS is a vibrant, family of independent schools, for 3-18 year olds, in the heart of Edinburgh. At the ESMS family of schools we pride ourselves on our holistic approach to education which means that we place as much emphasis on opportunities and activities outside of the classroom as we do on what happens in class. Our Vision is to be a pioneer of rounded education in Edinburgh, giving every child the opportunity to excel. Our Mission is to develop grounded, resilient, accomplished children, with strong values who go out into the world equipped with everything they need to lead full and happy lives.
The Role
Accountable to the Bursar, the Head of Estates & Facilities will be responsible for the Estates & Facilities strategy and overall management and maintenance of all School facilities across three sites. This will require a proactive approach to ensure the highest standards of compliance with Health & Safety and other recognised standards of safety, cleanliness, and functionality of all buildings and grounds. This will require working closely with the Bursar, the Estates & Facilities Department team, the Schools, and external contractors to deliver a high-quality experience for students, staff, and visitors.
Duties and Responsibilities will include:
Strategic Planning
* Develop and implement a comprehensive Estates & Facilities Management (estate, grounds, facilities) strategy aligned with the Schools' long-term goals.
* Plan for future development in line with strategic objectives and take the lead role as Project Manager in the capital development of the School Estate, appointing contractors, and design teams.
Estates Maintenance & Management
* Create and manage an operational plan across all three sites. This includes properties, estate, grounds and facility services and school vehicles.
* Responsible for the development of planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programs.
* Supervise the Estates & Facilities Team or Deputy Estates & Facilities Manager in implementing and maintaining the PARAGO system for asset management, maintenance, and compliance.
* Develop and implement sustainability and energy-saving targets to reduce the Schools' carbon footprint and operational spend.
Budget Responsibility
* Manage the Estates & Facilities budget with support from the Head of Finance.
* Oversee procurement and inventory of maintenance supplies and equipment.
* Negotiate contracts with suppliers and service providers to ensure best value for money.
People Management
* Effectively line manage the Deputy Estates & Facilities Manager.
* To build up and train a multi-skilled team.
* To provide leadership to Estates & Facilities staff and support a performance management culture and a commitment to professional and personal development.
* To create an operating structure that facilitates strong focus on service excellence, high quality, and value for money.
Health & Safety
* Overall responsibility for implementing and monitoring Health & Safety protocols within the Estates & Facilities Department in conjunction with the Compliance Manager and external contractors.
* Ensure regular safety audits and risk assessments take place in all sub-departments, including evidence.
* Represent the Estates & Facilities department at Health & Safety Committee meetings.
Tenancy and Property Management
* Manage the Schools' tenancy properties, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and relevant legislation required.
* Oversee the annual audit of residential properties and schedule of maintenance work to ensure properties are adequately maintained.
Essential criteria which candidates must be able to demonstrate include:
* Experience working at a senior level managing a large property and/or estate portfolio.
* Experienced with MIS and data management.
* Good working knowledge of CDM regulations.
* Experience of managing a team from a range of professions or trades.
* Experience in project management and delivering large scale capital works programmes within set timeframes and to budget.
* Experience of evaluating and working with third party main contractors and sub-contractors.
* A relevant professional qualification in estates, facilities, property management or equivalent experience.
* Skills to oversee complex construction projects and planned maintenance programmes.
* Analytical thinking, pragmatic decision-making, and problem-solving ability.
* Excellent organisational skills, the ability to prioritise and progress a high volume of complex issues to successful resolution.
* Outstanding communication skills - orally and in writing, with the ability to communicate concisely, accurately, effectively, and persuasively.
Additional Information
Remuneration will be from £67,992 to £72,870 per annum, on the ESMS Support Staff Salary Scale O dependent upon qualifications and experience. Staff are offered a range of benefits including: a generous holiday allowance, enhanced sick pay, family friendly policies, use of the Schools' swimming pool and fitness room outside school hours, membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations.