Head of Estates

Cumbria Education Trust, Brampton, CA8 1AR

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  asap

• Closing date

  18 May 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  4 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £51,356.00 - £59,198.00 Annually (Actual) Grade 17/18 placement on range dependent upon experience (pay award pending)

Head of Estates job summary

This is a senior, Trust‑wide leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape a high‑performing estates function that ensures our schools are safe, sustainable, compliant and fit for the future—ultimately enabling school leaders to focus on what matters most: excellent education for children and young people.

The Opportunity

As Head of Estates, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and professional expertise across the Trust’s estate
• Lead the ongoing development and transformation of the estates function
• Ensure our buildings and facilities actively support school improvement, growth and inclusion
• Act as the Trust’s principal authority and adviser on estates, compliance and capital planning
• Build a consistent, high‑quality estates service that supports schools now and as the Trust continues to expand

This is a role with real scope, influence and ownership. You will be trusted to design, lead and embed approaches that make a tangible difference across all our schools.

About You

We are looking for a credible, proactive leader who:

• Has significant experience of senior estates or facilities leadership within a complex organisation
• Brings strong knowledge of statutory compliance, health & safety and asset management
• Thinks strategically while remaining grounded in operational reality
• Is confident working with Executive Leaders and Trustees, providing clear assurance and professional challenge
• Is motivated by public service values and the opportunity to support great schools

Experience within education or the public sector is advantageous, but above all we are seeking someone with the vision, judgement and leadership capability to shape an estates function at Trust scale.

Why Join Cumbria Education Trust?

• Be part of a growing, ambitious Trust with a strong moral purpose
• Join at a point where estates leadership will have significant influence and impact
• Shape and lead a developing Trust Services function with the backing of senior leaders
• Work collaboratively with committed school and central teams
• Make a long‑term difference to learning environments across Cumbria

Safeguarding

Cumbria Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced DBS and other pre‑employment checks.

This is a rare opportunity to lead, shape and transform an estates function that underpins excellent education across a growing Trust.

For an informal discussion about the role or to find out more, please contact Sally McAllister.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Cumbria Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants for all posts must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post.

All staff members are required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Cumbria Education Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Cumbria Education Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/cumbria-education-trust

Cumbria Education Trust (CET) is a growing multi academy trust for primary and secondary schools in Cumbria. It was formed in September 2015 in response to an invitation from the Department for Education and is a not-for-profit charitable organisation.

In Cumbria Education Trust pupils and students are at the heart of all decision making – they always come first. We know that a first class education improves the life chances and choices of our young people and we are committed to providing a quality education for all, equipping them for the future.

Our aim is for each Cumbria Education Trust academy to demonstrate consistent year-on-year improvement. Collaboration is key to this; we believe in the importance of working with others to share knowledge and best practice.

By achieving our aim, we can enable every young person to reach their potential and achieve the success they deserve.

Head office location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed