Estates & Facilities Manager Wanted for a Historic Dorset Prep School!

Set within sprawling grounds in a tranquil Dorset village a prestigious independent prep school is seeking an experienced strategic Estates & Facilities Manager to lead their premises team on a permanent full-time basis starting as soon as possible.

In this pivotal senior role you will take total ownership of our historic campus and modern facilities balancing long-term estate planning with hands-on operational leadership to ensure a pristine environment for our boarding and day pupils.

Job Overview

Working in direct partnership with the Bursar and senior leadership team you will direct the facilities strategy capital improvement projects statutory compliance health and safety protocols and line management of the site maintenance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Estates Planning: Formulate and execute long-term property maintenance schedules sustainability upgrades and campus development projects.

• Health & Safety Governance: Act as the schools lead on statutory compliance overseeing fire risk assessments asbestos management and water safety audits.

• Project & Contractor Oversight: Tender commission and supervise external building contractors during term-time works and holiday refurbishment projects.

• Security & Emergency Management: Oversee comprehensive site security infrastructure access control systems and act as the principal out-of-hours emergency keyholder.

• Team Leadership: Lead mentor and rota a dedicated team of caretakers and grounds staff to guarantee seamless site coverage.

• Budget Administration: Manage the annual premises budget tracking expenditures and driving cost-efficiency across service contracts.

The School & Whats on Offer

• Prestigious Environment: A stunning well-resourced rural campus offering high levels of professional autonomy and impact.

• Lucrative Salary: A competitive senior salary package ranging fromper annum (reflective of management experience).

• Benefits: Full-time year-round contract featuring generous annual leave robust pension scheme and secure on-site parking.

• Professional Investment: Full institutional support and funding for advanced facilities management qualifications (such as NEBOSH IOSH or IWFM).

Candidate Requirements

• Professional Background: Extensive experience in senior facilities premises or estates managementideally within education or large-scale commercial sectors.

• Accreditations: Relevant health safety or facilities qualifications (e.g. NEBOSH National General Certificate IOSH Managing Safely).

• Project Expertise: Demonstrated success in managing capital projects vendor negotiations and technical building diagnostics.

• Leadership Excellence: Exceptional people management skills with the ability to inspire organize and hold a multidisciplinary team accountable.

• Compliance Requirement: An enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or readiness to complete a clearance process prior to starting).

Ready to steer the future of a world-class rural school estate Submit your CV today to arrange an executive interview and campus tour!