The independent day school in Berkshire for girls aged 3-18 Head: Mrs Rachel S E Dent, BA (Hons); QTS

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1 The independent day school in Berkshire for girls aged 3-18 Head: Mrs Rachel S E Dent, BA (Hons); QTS ESTATES MANAGER Introduction The School estate consists of three separate campuses in varying degrees of repair, as well as the playing field and tennis courts. The Estates department includes the Maintenance team which is continuously employed in the daily upkeep of the School infrastructure, as well as delivery of a variety of back up services in support of the busy academic curriculum. The Estates Manager has the twin responsibilities of the maintenance and strategic development of the estate, as well as the efficient management of the Maintenance Team. They will be assisted by the Deputy Estates Manager, and the Maintenance Supervisor who will be responsible for the efficient daily operational management of the Maintenance Team. This position is an opportunity for someone with management skills, as well as a professional qualification in building construction or being qualified as a chartered surveyor. School life is hectic, but enjoyable, so the ability to be pro-active and to respond effectively and cheerfully to changing situations is important. An understanding and support of the ethos of The Abbey School is required. Job Purpose Under the guidance of the Head of Finance and Resources, to maintain and develop the School estate, as well as managing an Estates department which provides the daily support service required by a large multi site, independent school. Accountability The Head has overall responsibility for all employees of The Abbey School and this is delegated to Heads of Department. The Head of Finance and Resources is responsible for the management of the support staff. This post is within the Estates department and the post-holder is directly responsible to the Head of Finance and Resources. The post-holder is responsible for all members of the Maintenance team, but their daily operational management is delegated to the Deputy Estates Manager, and the Maintenance Supervisor Kendrick Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 5DZ Tel: Fax: schooloffice@theabbey.co.uk Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No Registered Charity No The Abbey School exists to educate academically able girls

2 Specific Responsibilities Overall management of the Estates department and the provision of planned and proactive maintenance services, primarily in support of the academic life of the School. Specifically, the Estates Manager s responsibilities will be: In collaboration with the Head of Finance and Resources, to formulate a long term strategy for the development of the School estate, in relation to the changing needs of children, parents and staff and also the commercial strategy for non-academic use of the School buildings by third parties. To ensure the safety, upkeep and maintenance of all School buildings and ensure that the School environment is safe, comfortable and fully functional. To ensure that the School complies with and implements procedures in respect of all building and environmental related Health and Safety legislation, other building legislation and planning laws (including historic building consents) and other relevant legislative requirements. To draw up and implement a programme for the planned, preventative maintenance and refurbishment of all buildings and equipment short, medium and long term. To ensure that planned maintenance activities are completed on schedule and within budget and that urgent repairs are completed within a reasonable timescale. To manage, on behalf of the School, all building projects and external contracts and contractors for Estates and Maintenance works, drawing up the specifications upon which such contractors would be employed. Liaising with professional advisors for building projects when required, acting as project manager where an external project manager is not appointed and, in partnership with others, developing project briefs and project specifications. To ensure that arrangements are in place to enable emergency repairs to heating, electricity and water supplies to be attended to at any time of the day, week or year. To monitor the condition and provide an overview of the School s premises, compiling and updating maintenance and works strategy plans. To advise and report maintenance works priorities and logistics to the Head of Finance and Resources. To be responsible for the preparation of the School s annual Estates and Maintenance budget, to include planned and proactive development of the Schools buildings. To be responsible for the monitoring of expenditure against the budget, directing the Estates and Maintenance teams to ensure that resources are utilised effectively and efficiently and the preparation of short, medium and longer term forecasts for revenue and capital expenditure on Estates and Maintenance. To develop and implement work schedules which are necessary to achieve the goals of the School works strategy plan with regard to available resources, budget constraints and logistical factors. To produce and maintain a manual, detailing all aspects of the fabric of the buildings, thus providing staff with access to information such as locations of services, systems and equipment, including operating and emergency procedures, maintenance records, relevant risk assessments, etc. To carrying out Health and Safety risk assessments relating to the function of the Estates and Maintenance departments and personnel. To supervise the daily activities of Maintenance support services with the assistance of the Deputy Estates Manager. To ensure the completion of regular testing and maintaining records of various building systems such as Fire Alarms, Security Systems and Emergency Lighting. To have responsibility for the management and maintenance of the School swimming pool. To oversee the recruitment and effective management (in conjunction with his/her senior team as appropriate) of all Estates staff, including the completion of annual performance reviews and management of the training needs of the maintenance staff.

3 To carry out Health and Safety risk assessments relating to the function of the maintenance team. To regularly visit all three School sites. To carry out any other tasks as reasonably requested by the Head of Finance and Resources. Person specification Experience A proven record of estates, facilities and budget management (preferably in the education sector), together with appropriate professional qualifications. Qualified as a Chartered Quantity or Building Surveyor and a member of RICS. Experience in budgeting and financial responsibility of projects. Experience in project planning and project management. Previous leadership experience. Some experience or knowledge of the construction industry. A working knowledge of all relevant Health and Safety regulations and building and planning legislation. Skills Good verbal and written communications skills A high level of professionalism and integrity A conscientious and methodical hands-on worker The ability to organise and prioritise work, to meet deadlines and to work effectively under pressure. Attitude A team player with a friendly and professional approach who understands the ethos of The Abbey School. The willingness to learn the use of CAD packages. The willingness occasionally to work long and anti-social hours. A pro-active approach to working in The Abbey School. An enthusiasm for medium and long-term maintenance planning. Hours of Work Normal hours of work will be , Monday to Friday, with a daily total of one hour refreshment breaks. There will be some occasions when there will be a need to work later in the evenings or a need to be present during an evening or weekend function. There will be a probationary period of six months during which one weeks notice is required by either party. Thereafter the notice period will be one month. Holiday Entitlement 25 days holiday per school year, with holiday dates to be agreed with the Head of Finance and Resources beforehand. In addition, all UK public holidays and bank holidays and 4 concessionary days to be taken at the School s discretion (usually at Christmas). Salary and Benefits Salary will be dependent on skills and experience and will be paid monthly and in arrears. The School offers a non-contributory pension scheme worth 8.35% of salary

4 Staff fee concession is available to employees daughters who satisfy the entrance requirements and for whom there is a place available. Lunches are provided. Free, on-site parking is available, but not guaranteed. Health and Safety It is a duty of employees: To be familiar with, and conform to, the School s Health and Safety Policy and procedures To take reasonable care of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work To co-operate with employers in order to ensure that employers duties can be performed and complied with To report all accidents and damage immediately To report all observed hazards or dangerous occurrences immediately Neither intentionally nor recklessly to interfere with any equipment provided Security All employees are required to remain vigilant on the school premises and to report any security issues to the Head of Finance and Resources immediately. Child Protection: The Abbey School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post may involve unsupervised contact with children and young people. The School therefore expects from the successful candidate the level and degree of adult leadership of children and young people expected in a School environment. The successful candidate should expect to undertake the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance process. Terms of Employment Under current legislation, we are required to advise applicants that this appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure. Details of any criminal record (spent or unspent, due to exemption from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) must be disclosed at the application stage/interview. Only relevant convictions and other information will be taken into account so disclosure need not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position at this School. For further information, contact the Disclosure and Barring Service on or visit the Disclosure website at Child Protection The Abbey School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post may involve unsupervised contact with children and young people. The School therefore expects from the successful candidate the level and degree of adult leadership of children and young people expected in a School environment. The successful candidate should expect to undertake the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance process. Terms of Employment Under current legislation, we are required to advise applicants that this appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure. Details of any criminal record (spent or unspent, due to exemption from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) must be disclosed

5 at interview. Only relevant convictions and other information will be taken into account so disclosure need not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position at this School. Copies of the Recruitment of Ex- Offenders Policy and the Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice are available on request. For further information, contact the Disclosure and Barring Service on or visit the Disclosure website at For more information on our lively and well resourced school and for an application form, please visit the Vacancies Page on our website To apply for this position, please complete an application form in full, including details of suitable referees as instructed, then send this with your full CV and covering letter by to recruitment@theabbey.co.uk Interviews will only be arranged following our receipt of a completed application form. For enquires please contact recruitment@theabbey.co.uk