Estates Manager

Estates Manager

Nigel Wright have been appointed to support Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust with the hire of a strategic Estates Manager to lead and shape the Trust’s estates function across its growing portfolio of schools.

This is a senior, influential role, offering the opportunity to take ownership of long-term estate strategy, capital investment and major construction projects, while working closely with the CEO, executive team and external stakeholders.

Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust operates 31 schools across three local authority areas. The Trust’s central team operates as a centre of expertise, supporting schools while empowering them to deliver excellent learning environments for pupils and staff.

Rooted in Catholic values, the Trust places a strong emphasis on collaboration, integrity, trust and service.

The Role:

Reporting into the senior leadership team, the Head of Estates will provide strategic leadership and oversight of estates, facilities, health & safety and capital works across the Trust.

This is not a hands-on facilities management role. Instead, the focus is on strategy, prioritisation, governance and delivery at scale.

• Lead the Trust-wide Estates Management Plan and long-term investment strategy
• Ensure a consistently high-quality performance from all school contracts and service providers.
• Oversee of significant capital and construction projects, including:
• Nursery expansions and building extensions
• Schools within the DfE School Rebuild Programme
• Act as the Trust’s lead representative with the DfE, contractors and professional advisers
• Ensure the Trust buildings and premises are maintained to an appropriately high and consistent standard that complies with all relevant legislation, seeking advice from the Trust Central Team or externally from industry experts as required.
• Oversee and quality assure the completion of weekly tasks on health and safety compliance system.
• Develop maintain and update a suite of estates and facilities management policies for the Trust.
• Manage and lead team members to ensure high levels of motivation and the consistent provision of a high-quality service.
• Strategic procurement planning, particularly for major summer works
• Provide expert advice and assurance to senior leaders, schools and the Trust Board

Person Specification

You will be a confident, credible estates professional with experience operating at a strategic and senior stakeholder level.

You are likely to bring:

• Strong experience in estates, asset or facilities management within a complex organisation
• A track record of overseeing capital projects and construction programmes
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at CEO, Board and external body level
• Sound knowledge of health & safety, compliance and procurement
• A collaborative, approachable leadership style, able to work effectively across diverse school environments

Experience within education or a multi-academy trust is advantageous but not essential. Candidates from local government, NHS or other public-sector settings are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a facilities management quality assurance role
• Knowledge of Health & Safety regulations relating to an Estates function
• Strong project management experience
• Experience of formulating and managing planned maintenance activities
• Previous experience of managing contractors and experience of working across many sites