Head of Estates and Facilities Management

DescriptionEmployerLocation

Waltham Forest College has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted following its most recent inspection and has distinguished itself as one of only a small number of General Further Education Colleges across the country to achieve the prestigious ‘Outstanding’ rating.

Waltham Forest College has been named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025, a testament to its exceptional employee experience and organisational culture. Survey results revealed staff engagement and confidence in leadership to be significantly above the national average, underlining the College’s focus on wellbeing, inclusivity, and professional growth.

Ranked in the top 5% of GFE colleges nationally for student achievement, Waltham Forest College continues to be an aspirational destination for learners. With state-of-the-art industry-standard facilities, a dedicated and expert teaching team, and a strong network of employer partnerships, the College ensures students are future-ready and equipped for success.

Job purpose

Provide operational leadership of the College’s Estates, Health & Safety, and Security functions, ensuring a safe, compliant, secure, sustainable, and well-maintained environment that supports teaching and learning.

Translate strategic direction from the Director of Estates, Projects & Sustainability into effective operational plans, budgets, performance measures, and service standards. Oversee estates operations, compliance, health and safety, security, contracts, service delivery, and business continuity.

Lead the Deputy Head of Estates, Projects & Sustainability, Health & Safety & Compliance Officer, Estates Administrator, and Security Team. Support capital projects, estate improvements, and sustainability initiatives, ensuring smooth delivery and operational integration.

Act as the main escalation point for Estates, Health & Safety, and Security matters, deputising for the Director when required and ensuring appropriate management cover during periods of absence.

We are seeking an experienced operational leader to manage the College's Estates, Health & Safety, and Security functions, ensuring a safe, secure, compliant, and well-maintained environment.

Key responsibilities:

•Lead the Estates, Health & Safety, and Security teams.

• Deliver operational plans, budgets, service standards, and performance targets.

• Oversee maintenance, compliance, security operations, and contractor performance.

• Ensure statutory compliance, risk management, and health & safety excellence.

• Manage estates and facilities contracts and budgets.

• Support capital projects, estate improvements, and sustainability initiatives.

• Act as the senior escalation point for operational and security matters.

• Provide assurance and performance reporting to senior leadership.

• Promote continuous improvement and a customer-focused service culture.

What’s in it for you?

We offer the opportunity to help develop your skills and knowledge in a friendly team environment, plus a range of benefits including a career average pension scheme, employee assistance programme, enhanced sick pay, NUS Employee discount, Vodafone Advantage, free onsite parking, cycle to work scheme, Sodexo benefits scheme and Benenden Health care scheme.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce that better reflects the wider community we support. We particularly welcome applicants from groups currently under-represented in senior roles, including females, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), people with disabilities and from the LGBTQ community.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of our students and expect everybody working for the College to share this commitment. We actively seek DBS clearance checks for applications of employment as part of our safeguarding procedures. In line with KCSIE 2026 and Safer Recruitment principles the college reserves the right to conduct online searches of shortlisted candidate.

Closing Date: Monday 9th November 12:00pm

Interview Date: 19 November 2026

*Please apply as soon as possible as applications will be considered upon receipt; we reserve the right to interview before the closing date*.

Safeguarding Statement

Waltham Forest College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. Waltham Forest College is a Mindful Employer. People who have experienced mental health issues will not be discriminated against due to their mental ill health. Disclosure of a mental health problem will enable the College to assess and provide the right level of support or adjustment if needed.