Head of Premises, Central Services Team

Southern Education Trust, Poole, BH12 4HU

23 days remaining to apply

Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
1 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
6 February 2026

Job details

Job role: Catering, cleaning and site management
Other support roles
Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern: Full time
Contract type: Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary: Circa £55,000-£70,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

What skills and experience we're looking for

What you’ll be responsible for

Setting direction

Develop and deliver a Trust-wide Premises Strategy aligned to our vision and growth
Lead capital planning, funding bids and the delivery of major projects
Advise and influence the CEO, senior leaders and Board of Trustees
Use premises and compliance data to inform decisions and report clearly at senior level

Leading people and building culture

Build, lead and mentor a proactive, professional central Premises team
Work visibly across our schools, understanding local contexts and building strong relationships
Support school leaders to ensure appropriate premises staffing and cover at each site
Promote a positive, proactive Health and Safety culture across the Trust

Keeping everyone safe

Act as the Trust’s designated competent person for Health and Safety
Ensure compliance with legislation, safeguarding requirements (including KCSIE), and statutory premises reporting
Implement and monitor Good Estates Management (GEMs)
Carry out site audits, follow up actions and ensure issues are resolved – properly

Making things work well

Design and implement efficient, consistent and scalable premises systems and processes
Develop and manage the Trust’s compliance management system
Oversee contractor relationships and procurement, ensuring value for money
Manage budgets for capital projects and contribute to Trust-wide budget planning
Support colleagues to manage premises budgets effectively and sustainably

Who we’re looking for

You’ll bring strong experience in premises, estates or facilities management, alongside deep knowledge of Health and Safety legislation. But just as importantly, you’ll bring empathy, professionalism and sound judgement.

You’ll be:

Strategic, but grounded
Thorough, but practical
Confident, calm and trusted
Collaborative by instinct and visible in practice

Experience in education is welcome but not essential. What matters most is your ability to lead well, communicate clearly, and care deeply about creating environments where people can do their best work.

What the school offers its staff

Why join Southern Education Trust?

Because we do things with purpose.

We’re ambitious, values-led and serious about kindness. We believe great premises leadership underpins great education – and that the people who lead this work should be trusted, supported and heard.

If you’re looking for a senior role where your expertise will genuinely shape the future of a growing Trust – and where you can make a meaningful difference every day – we’d love to hear from you.

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.

People change lives. Great spaces make it possible.

At Southern Education Trust, our premises aren’t just places where learning happens – they’re part of how we make lives better.

This role isn’t about ticking boxes or keeping things as they are. It’s about shaping safe, welcoming, well-run environments where pupils can thrive, staff feel supported, and communities feel proud of their schools.

We’re looking for a Head of Premises who brings expertise, clarity and care in equal measure – someone who can think strategically, lead confidently, and work collaboratively across a growing Trust.

About the role

As Head of Premises, you’ll lead and shape the Trust’s Premises and Estates function, working as part of our senior leadership team and guided by our values ofKind, Collaborative and Creative.

You’ll build and lead our central Premises team, establish modern systems, policies and ways of working, and ensure our schools are supported by safe, compliant, fit-for-purpose environments – now and as we grow.

You’ll act with a high degree of autonomy, providing trusted advice to senior leaders and Trustees, and leading on all aspects of Health and Safety across the Trust.

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.