Head of Estates & Operations

Preston Hedges Trust, Northampton, NN4 6BU

16 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  13 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  19 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £60,619.00 - £68,691.00 Annually (FTE) L6 – L11

Head of Estates & Operations job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who combines strategic leadership with a hands-on approach, someone who can shape the future of our estates and operations while working alongside site teams to ensure our schools are safe, well-maintained, efficient and welcoming places for children and staff.

As a core member of our Executive Leadership Team, you will play a key role in supporting the Trust's continued development, ensuring our buildings and facilities meet the needs of our schools today and are ready for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead the development and delivery of a consistent, high-quality estates and operations service across the Trust.

You will combine strategic oversight with practical operational leadership, working closely with Site Managers, Principals, central colleagues and external partners. Building a collaborative One Team culture will be central to your approach, enabling expertise and resources to be shared effectively across our schools.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Estates leadership and development: Develop and deliver the Trust's Estates Strategy, oversee planned preventative maintenance and ensure our buildings, grounds and facilities are maintained to a high standard.
• Health, safety and compliance: Lead the Trust's approach to health and safety, statutory compliance and environmental risk management, ensuring robust systems, regular audits and clear assurance reporting.
• Team leadership: Line manage, support and develop Site Managers, establish consistent operational standards and build a collaborative service that works effectively across all schools.
• Procurement and contract management: Review and centralise operational contracts, negotiate with suppliers and manage contractor performance to secure quality, efficiency and value for money.
• Sustainability: Help drive the Trust's sustainability and decarbonisation agenda through practical energy-efficiency measures, waste reduction and more sustainable working practices.
• Operational improvement and growth: Embed consistent processes and support the integration of new schools into the Trust, ensuring operational arrangements are effective from the outset.

This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable contributing to Trust-wide strategy, analysing compliance information and budgets, resolving a complex building issue on site, or supporting a Site Manager to find a practical solution.

About you

We are looking for an experienced estates, facilities or operations professional who can demonstrate the knowledge, confidence and practical expertise to lead a multi-site service.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in estates, facilities or operations management across a multi-site organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and requirements relating to COSHH, asbestos, fire safety and water hygiene.
• Experience managing health and safety systems, compliance audits and planned preventative maintenance schedules.
• Experience leading operational or site teams across different locations.

• A strong track record in contract management, supplier negotiation and procurement, with a clear focus on value for money.
• An understanding of the Academies Trust Handbook and the Department for Education's Good Estate Management for Schools guidance.
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively with colleagues at every level.
• A proactive, resilient and structured approach, with the confidence to take ownership, make decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• A full driving licence and the ability to travel regularly between Trust sites.

A qualification in facilities or estates management, such as IWFM, and a health and safety qualification, such as the NEBOSH National General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely, would be desirable. Experience within a Multi-Academy Trust, school or public sector environment, and familiarity with compliance management software, would also be advantageous.

Above all, you will share our commitment to working collaboratively, developing people and creating safe, high-quality environments in which our schools and communities can thrive.

Why join Preston Hedges Trust?

Joining Preston Hedges Trust means becoming part of a team committed to making a positive difference across our schools.

You will have the opportunity to shape and improve the way estates and operations are delivered, develop a strong network of site professionals and influence decisions that support the Trust's future growth.

We value Ambition, Drive, Excellence and One Team. We are looking for someone who will bring these values to life through their leadership, professional expertise and commitment to continuous improvement.

If you are a forward-thinking estates and operations professional who enjoys combining strategic planning with practical delivery, we would welcome your application.

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

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

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 Preston Hedges Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/preston-hedges-academy-trust

Head office location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Northampton