Head of Estates

About this Role

Full Year (28 days annual leave + bank holidays), 37 hours per week

This is a permanent contract.

Yorkshire Learning Trust is seeking an experienced, proactive and strategic Head of Estates to lead the management, maintenance, development and compliance of our estate across our growing family of schools.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role within a successful and ambitious Trust, overseeing a diverse portfolio of school buildings and grounds and ensuring that our learning environments are safe, sustainable and fit for the future.

Working collaboratively with school leaders, site teams and external contractors, you will provide strategic direction and operational leadership across:

• Estates and facilities management
• Health and safety compliance
• Planned preventative maintenance
• Capital projects and estate development
• Sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Statutory testing and regulatory compliance
• Contractor management and procurement

This role offers genuine breadth and responsibility, providing strategic oversight of the Trust’s estate across 17 schools and ensuring effective stewardship of our assets in support of excellent educational outcomes.

As part of our central leadership team, you will:

• Lead the Trust’s estates strategy and develop long-term estate plans
• Ensure full compliance with statutory health, safety and building regulations
• Manage capital projects, maintenance programmes and asset management plans
• Oversee estates budgets and support value-for-money procurement
• Provide leadership and support to site management teams across the Trust
• Develop and monitor systems to ensure effective estates operations
• Work closely with senior leaders, governors and external stakeholders
• Lead on sustainability initiatives and support the Trust’s environmental objectives
• Ensure school environments remain safe, secure and conducive to learning

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

• Has substantial experience in estates, facilities or property management
• Possesses strong knowledge of health and safety legislation and statutory compliance requirements
• Has experience of managing complex maintenance, refurbishment or capital projects
• Demonstrates strong leadership and people management skills
• Has excellent organisational, planning and problem-solving abilities
• Can communicate and influence effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Has experience of budget management and procurement processes
• Is committed to continuous improvement and delivering high‑quality services
• Shares our values of aspiration, inclusion, collaboration and integrity

A relevant professional qualification in Estates Management, Facilities Management, Building Services, Property Management or a related discipline would be advantageous.

We're dedicated to supporting our staff with a comprehensive package of opportunities, incentives, and benefits designed to enhance your well‑being and career growth. You could enjoy:

• Exclusive Savings and Experiences: Dive into our employee benefits website, your gateway to fantastic discounts on everything from everyday shopping to dream holidays and unforgettable days out.

• Your Well‑Being Matters: Access our confidential Employee Assistance helpline for expert advice and support, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with confidence.

• Invest in Your Future: Embrace continuous training and development opportunities, fostering your professional growth and unlocking new possibilities.

A Safe and Inclusive Environment: At Yorkshire Learning Trust (YLT), the safeguarding of children is paramount. We are committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all. As part of our commitment, successful candidates will undergo DBS checks, pre‑employment checks, and online searches, all conducted with professionalism and respect for your privacy. We champion equality and ensure fair and equitable treatment for every member of our team.

At YLT we believe that diversity and inclusion are integral to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.

We actively seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We celebrate the unique contributions of each team member and are dedicated to fostering a culture of equality, where differences are not only embraced but are seen as a source of strength.

We understand that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our policies, practices, and the way we do business. We strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are fair, unbiased, and inclusive, and we are continuously working to improve them. Visit the website for access to our recruitment policies.

#J-18808-Ljbffr