The School
History
Merchant Taylors’ School has been one of the leading boys’ schools in the UK since its foundation by the Merchant Taylors’ Livery Company of the City of London in 1561. One of the nine great ‘Clarendon schools’, its alumni have achieved distinction throughout history.
However, the school wears its heritage lightly, its strong sense of tradition very much at the service of the future. Through the Merchant Taylors’ Educational Trust, it retains close links with other Merchant Taylors’ schools, and with the Merchant Taylors’ Company itself. Relocated from the City of London to Sandy Lodge, Northwood in 1933, the School sits on 285 acres of playing fields, and woodland, all within easy reach of Central London, Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire.
A selective school
The Nursery, the Pre-Prep & the Prep cater for 340 boys from 3 to 11 years of age, while the Senior School has over 950 pupils from 11 – 18, with over 300 in the Sixth Form. Competition for places is fierce, and entry is by competitive examination at 11+, and 16+.
Academic excellence
Public examination results are outstanding, the majority of students proceeding either to leading universities as well as medical schools in the UK or abroad. We pride ourselves on our outstanding pastoral care as well as our excellent academic results, and aspiration in all areas goes well beyond the norm.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Buildings Manager will be responsible for planning and directing maintenance and refurbishment works across over 60,000 square metres of School buildings. They will lead, inspire and manage a team of 8 multi-skilled artisans and coordinate the work of external contractors to maintain and improve the School buildings.
Facilities Management
• Oversee the routine maintenance and repair of school buildings, plant and infrastructure
• Plan and conduct the School’s long term cyclic maintenance programme.
• Maintain statutory maintenance and inspection records to document compliance with the standards mandated by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
• Manage procurement and contracting for utilities, construction and maintenance services across the site.
Budget Management
• Manage the buildings and maintenance budget, including preparation of annual plans to support maintenance and refurbishment.
• Exploit all available cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality standards.
Health and Safety
• Ensure that the School’s buildings comply with Health and Safety legislation and relevant codes of practice.
• Develop and implement emergency procedures and risk assessments.
Project Management
• Provide professional advice to the Bursar and Head Master on buildings management, refurbishment and development.
• Develop project requirements, plan and control refurbishment and construction projects across departments to deliver infrastructure requirements on time, within budget and to the standard required by end users.
• Liaison with external consultants, contractors and suppliers to deliver infrastructure projects at affordable cost and without impact on educational activity during term time.
• Liaison with appropriate authorities in order to comply with planning and other statutory requirements.
Sustainability
• Promote and implement environmentally sustainable practices in building management.
• Exploit all opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
It is the post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact and to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the Head Master.
The Person
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Qualifications
Essential
• A recognised professional qualification in facilities management, construction management, or a related field.
• A recognised Health and Safety qualification.
Desirable
• Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Institute of Facilities Management (IWFM) or the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), Royal Institution of Building Surveyors (RICS).
• IOSH / NEBOSH.
Experience
Essential
• Minimum of 10 years experience in facilities management or a related role, preferably in an educational or similar environment.
• Proven track record of managing building maintenance and refurbishment projects.
• Management of services and utilities.
• Proven experience of financial and budget management and procurement.
Desirable
• Successful track record of managing buildings and facilities within a school, hospital, or other major operational site.
• Successful track record of project delivery.
• Experience of sustained cost reduction whilst maintaining standards.
Skills
Essential
• Team leadership.
• Strong written and verbal briefing skills
• Planning.
• Budgeting.
• ICT Literacy.
• Ability to diagnose infrastructure and engineering faults and identify cost effective solutions.
Desirable
• Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm.
• Long term vision and time management.
• Ability to manage complexity.
• ICT competence in relevant systems (e.g. AutoCAD).
Knowledge
Essential
• Understanding of building codes and regulations.
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with building management systems and general IT skills for reporting and documentation.
Desirable
• Health and Safety awareness and ability to learn and apply the statutory requirements of the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
• Financial and commercial awareness and understanding of market prices.
Personal competencies, qualities, attitude and behaviours
Essential
• Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours
• Strong personal work ethic and leadership example.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Unquestionable commercial integrity.
• Emotional resilience in working with a diverse School community.
• Diplomacy when supporting the School staff and liaising with external agencies.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.
General Conditions
Start Date: 17th March 2025
Hours: 40 hours per week
Salary Starting from: £60,000 per annum
Holiday: 25 days per annum plus public holidays
Other Benefits
• 15% employer contribution to a defined contribution pension scheme (Contributory)
• Life cover 4 x annual salary and income protection
• Access to a cash flexible benefit in lieu of pension contribution
• Access to a number of lifestyle benefits including Cycle to Work, ULEV cars, and retail discount vouchers via our benefit provider
(All of the above are subject to eligibility criteria)
Further Benefits
• Staff fee remission on school fees (subject to admissions criteria)
• Use of School leisure facilities, including pool, gym and fishing lakes.
• Lunch provided free of charge when the School Catering Department is open
• Free parking on site, with access to electric vehicle charging (payable via app)
• Support for professional development and professional membership fees.
The Process
Please complete an application form and an accompanying letter outlining your suitability for the post; you may wish to include a brief CV.
Applications to be submitted by Monday 25th November at 12pm
Interviews to be conducted during the week commencing Monday 2nd December 2024.
The Bursar, Ian Williams, is available to answer any questions on this role; please contact him at bursarsoffice@mtsn.org.uk
Applications to (email or post):
Recruitment Officer,
Merchant Taylors’ School,
Sandy Lodge,
Northwood,
Middlesex,
HA6 2HT
Email: recruitment@mtsn.org.uk
Merchant Taylors’ School is an equal opportunities employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This role will bring you into contact with children, you are expected to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
How we use your information:
We will use the information which you provided, and which we collect from other sources (such as from references and from the Disclosure and Barring Service) for the following purposes: to assess your suitability for the role for which you have applied, to assess your suitability to work with children and to enable us to comply with our legal obligations (including safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children).
Further information on how the School uses personal data is set out in the School’s Staff Transparency Notice, which can be found on the Vacancy page of the School Website.
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