The Post
Sutton Valence School is seeking an experienced Estates Bursar who has previous experience within facilities and operations, as well as managing teams. The ideal candidate will also have experience of working within a School environment. The post holder will be responsible to the Bursar for the management of the Estates Department which includes buildings, grounds, gardens and cleaning, and be responsible for all aspects of the Schools Health and Safety and Fire Safety management.
Key Responsibilities
- To manage and oversee the Estate ensuring that all elements of the Estates meets the School’s requirements;
- To line manage the Maintenance, Cleaning, Grounds and Gardens staff, and carry out staff performance reviews with members of the Estates Teams in accordance with School policy and procedures; provide development plans where appropriate and fill vacancies as required;
- To manage the maintenance programme; produce and maintain a long term maintenance schedule for all School properties, assess and prioritise maintenance tasks, determine the need for large and small scale projects, and recommend proposals as appropriate; review maintenance plans and specifications to ensure departmental requirements are met; inspect work in progress and evaluate completed projects to control costs and ensure work is performed as specified; liaise with contractors to obtain the best level of service for the School;
- To be responsible for all aspects of the School’s Health and Safety and Fire Safety management:
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- Maintain records of statutory compliance for inspections;
- Be responsible for the updating of relevant policies as appropriate;
- Monitor the implementation of appropriate departmental and whole-School procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments;
- Arrange staff training;
- Produce recommendations for the School’s response to changes in legislation;
- Be responsible for ensuring that the School meets all Health and Safety related regulatory compliance requirements.
- Liaise with the School’s external advisors as necessary;
- Resolve emerging Health and Safety issues.
- To be responsible for sourcing and managing external premises contractors and suppliers, ensuring the Health and Safety and Safeguarding requirements are met and are appropriately vetted;
- To assist the Bursar with Estate-related disaster and business continuity planning (for example: services, buildings, site security);
- To tender utility and water contracts on a frequent basis to ensure best value;
- To process Estates departments orders and ensuring good value for money and act as the initial authorisation for invoices, reconciling paperwork as required;
- To ensure annual events are well planned and successfully delivered, with excellent attention to detail;
- To manage the furnishings programme; refurbish academic and pastoral areas and staff accommodation as required while adhering to budget requirements; advise on the most effective use of space; advise on décor; recommend furniture replacement and purchase furniture as appropriate;
- To prepare budgets for all areas of responsibility; monitor and ensure adherence to budget; evaluate and control costs; monitor and verify accuracy of charges against departments and authorise expenditures within budgetary limitations;
- To maintain the School’s security systems and recommend improvements;
- To take an active part in all management and working groups as required by the Bursar; contribute to the School’s Development Plan; communicate and drive ideas and undertake training and development as required.
Person Specification
Creativity and Judgement
- Develops a creative and constructive approach to problem solving;
- Offers insights and generates ideas with practical application;
- Displays confidence in own judgement but responds constructively to alternative ideas.
Strategic Thinking and Planning
- Develops and influences strategic aims, anticipates future demands, opportunities and constraints;
- Helps translate strategic aims into practical and achievable plans and objectives;
- Demonstrates sensitivity to school needs and wider issues.
Communication
- Is concise and persuasive, orally and in writing;
- Chooses the method of communication most likely to secure effective results;
- Possesses excellent person-to-person skills and the ability to manage challenging situations with diplomacy and humour when appropriate;
- Is comfortable and effective in a representational role;
- Is prepared to get involved with the teams to help out as required.
Delivering Results
- Is able to drive policy forward to ensure school policy objectives are met;
- Can work in partnership in order to achieve practical results;
- Understands the importance of matching resources to priorities, effective in managing targets and timescales and is rigorous in monitoring outcomes against targets;
- Uses formal and informal contacts.
Must have
- Current Health and Safety qualification such as IOSH Managing Safety or NEBOSH;
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel;
- Be proficient in developing, monitoring and maintaining appropriate policies, codes of practice, risk assessments, method statements and other documentation;
- The ability to multi-task in a complex and demanding environment.
Terms and Conditions
The post is available from April 2024. It is likely there will be a handover period from the beginning of March. The starting salary is circa £46,800 per annum. The hours of work are 8.45am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday for 52 weeks a year. The annual holiday entitlement is five weeks plus public holidays, to be taken outside of term time.
Closing date: Friday 19th January 2024
Please visit the Sutton Valence School website for further details, or email hradmin@svs.org.uk.
Please note: we reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.
Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer.
