Appointment of the Director of Operations and Estates

Dauntsey's School

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Welcome from the Head

Thank you for your interest in the position of Director of Operations and Estates at Dauntsey’s School.

Dauntsey’s is a wonderful place to work. It is, first and foremost, a happy and ambitious community which offers every colleague the opportunity to develop themselves as they contribute to the lives of others. It is very important to me that everyone who works in the school is seen and valued; happy, motivated and talented people make a great school.

Dauntsey’s sits in an idyllic location in the middle of rural Wiltshire, five miles from the historic market town of Devizes, close to Bath and Salisbury, and an hour and a half from London. The school has grown steadily in recent years, thanks to strong academic results, the strength of its all-round education, the generous support of the Mercers’ Company and outstanding pupils and staff. It is a thriving co-educational school for boarding and day pupils.

The Director of Operations and Estates is a key person involved in the smooth running of a fantastic school. Together with their teams, they will be involved in most aspects of school life and will greatly contribute to making the School a very rewarding place to learn and to work for both staff and pupils.

I am always looking for conscientious, talented and optimistic people to join our school; I hope that our vision for education and community entices you to come and find out more about what we can offer you.

I look forward to meeting you.

Kind regards

John Davies
Head Master

About Dauntsey's

Dauntsey’s was founded in 1542, by William Dauntsey, Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. Today it is a leading co-educational boarding and day school for 11–18-year-olds, set in a 150-acre estate in Wiltshire and noted for its friendly and supportive atmosphere.

Staff and pupils have every opportunity to fulfil their potential and achieve their aspirations, both academically and otherwise. Teachers pass on their enthusiasm and love of their subject to pupils who leave with strong exam results and a love of learning. However, Dauntsey’s is about much more than just exam grades. Our extensive adventure education programme encourages pupils to develop important life skills, such as resilience, communication, creativity, and teamwork and this adventurous spirit translates into the classroom, so pupils approach their academic lessons with curiosity and a “have a go” attitude.

Dauntsey’s is a happy community with a strong family atmosphere where independent minds, social responsibility and moral values are encouraged, and the school community thrives on a culture of kindness and mutual respect.

School Structure

The foundation of our outstanding pastoral care is the House system which provides a secure source of support and guidance and leads to a real sense of belonging.  Pupils belong to one of 12 houses, four in the Lower School, (First to Third Form or Years 7-9) and eight in the Upper School, (Fourth Form to Upper Sixth or Years 10-13). Each year 150 pupils join us from more than 100 different schools making our school community diverse, inclusive and above all, very friendly.

In its most recent ISI inspection, Dauntsey’s received the highest rating of ‘Excellent’ for both categories: the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements, and the quality of pupils’ personal development.

In recent years Dauntsey’s has maintained a strong pupil roll, supported by the addition of many new facilities and the refurbishment of other buildings. These have included significant improvements in science, ICT and DT, as well as development of additional sports facilities. Work has also been completed on a significant sports Pavilion, and a new dance studio in the Sports Hall complex.  Most recently, an all-weather athletics’ track was added along with an outdoor fitness trail.

Entry to Dauntsey’s is at aged 11, 13 and 16 and by relevant entrance examination and interview at all points of entry.

Academic Life

Dauntsey’s is proud of its academic reputation and long-standing tradition of exam success. The curriculum is broad, balanced, and contemporary throughout the school and the timetable offers flexibility, allowing pupils the freedom of choice to accommodate their different interests and aptitudes. Pupils achieved excellent exam results in 2024 in both A-level and GCSE examinations. At A-level, 40% of the grades awarded were A*/A, and 75% were graded A*/A or B. At GCSE, 64% of all entries were grades 9-7.

Of 141 university applicants, 94% were able to take up places at their preferred institution; the most popular destinations in 2024 being Exeter, Durham, Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham and Oxford Brookes.

Pupils are generally taught in small mixed ability classes (except in Maths), with set sizes currently averaging 19 in the Lower School, 15 at GCSE and nine at A-level. The school week is run on a two week cycle with eight lessons on each weekday and six on a Saturday.

Pupils are also encouraged to participate in academic enrichment activities outside of lesson time and there are three afternoons of sport each week, including Saturdays.

Co-Curricular

Pupils are encouraged to develop a strong spirit of adventure and the school curriculum incorporates numerous opportunities to take part in a range of co-curricular activities to support this.

Dance, drama, music, and sport are all key parts of the co-curricular offering with plenty of opportunities to perform or represent the school for pupils with existing expertise and those wanting to give something a go.  Dauntsey’s also prides itself on its adventure programme, developed and run by a full-time Head of Adventure Education. There are opportunities to participate in expeditions, both abroad and closer to home; the Brecon Beacons, Glencoe, Iceland and Kenya have all been recent destinations and the annual Devizes to Westminster canoe race is a feature of life in the Lower Sixth for generations of Dauntseians.

Dauntsey’s also owns its own Tall Ship, the famous Jolie Brise, in which pupils have sailed across the Atlantic, the Bay of Biscay, and 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle in recent times. A full-time Head of Sailing oversees the yearly sailing programme, as well as ensuring that every pupil in the Fourth Form experiences at least 24 hours aboard; Lower School pupils are also encouraged to try dinghy sailing through an annual sailing camp.

The role

Director of Operations and Estates (AQ3071)

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JOB  DESCRIPTION

The Director of Operations and Estates (Director of Operations) is one of the senior Heads of Department, reporting directly to the Bursar alongside the Head of Finance and the Head of Human Resources.

The Director of Operations will ensure the everyday activities of the school run effectively and efficiently by skilled management of both their direct reports and key relationships with a variety of different third-party stakeholders. The duties include developing and improving the day-to-day operations of each of the departments, establishing school policies, implementing change where necessary and adhering to compliance procedures, laws and regulations. The Director of Operations is a member of the School’s Senior Management Team (SMT) will also work alongside the Bursar to provide strategic guidance to the Board of Governors.

The Director of Operations is directly responsible for the following: Clerk of Works, Chef Manager, Facilities Operations Manager, Head Groundsman, Senior Nurse, and the International Pupil & Transport Manager.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • To ensure the smooth running of all key operational aspects of school life, on a daily basis.
  • Providing leadership for the following areas to ensure they deliver in line with the school’s overall strategic plan: Catering, Facilities, Grounds, Health Centre, Health & Safety, Maintenance, Security and Transport.
  • Preparation, control, and delivery of the budgets of these areas.
  • To be the first point of contact, in case of emergency or disruption to the school, pupils and staff.
  • Representing the school as the initial point of contact for day parents regarding all transport matters.
  • To oversee all building and grounds maintenance associated with keeping the school functional and operational.
  • To ensure that the school is compliant with all statutory and legislative checks associated with the estate and catering functions.
  • To lead on the development and maintenance of Risk Assessments for the site, and for key major events that take place on site.
  • To develop the School’s sustainability agenda alongside the Bursar.
  • To develop and lead on all future projects from an Estates perspective.
  • Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.

Departments

Facilities

  • Line management of the Facilities Operations Manager.
  • Oversight of the co-ordination and supervision of all the Facilities Services, including:
    • Domestic Services, including cleaning and janitorial provision
    • Welfare Services – Boarding accommodation
  • Accountability for the facilities and domestic support operating budgets.

Catering Support

  • Line management of the Chef Manager.
  • Accountability for the food procurement and catering support budgets.
  • Co-ordination of catering capital equipment replacement programme.
  • Ensuring the continued high standards of catering provision, including food safety standards and allergen control.

Health Centre

  • Through line management of the Senior Nurse, ensure effective, compliant delivery of all aspects of the Health Centre for pupils and staff.

Transport

  • Line management of the International Pupil and Transport Manager, and through them, ensure compliance with UKVI regulations.
  • Oversight of the international travel arrangements for all pupils living abroad and ensuring that those pupils travelling comply with both the country of origin and the UK’s travel regulations.
  • Oversight of the safety and timeliness of all day pupils using the school’s bus service.
  • Oversight of the tendering, letting and co-ordination of bus travel contracts, including reliability, safety and cost control.

Security

  • Oversight of the security arrangements and procedures for the school.
  • Leading the school’s response to incidents related to site security.
  • Control and overall authority of the CCTV management system inline with GDPR.
  • Letting and review of tenders for the security contract.
  • Oversight the upgrade of security measures, including the CCTV system for the school.

Sports Centre

  • Through the Facilities Operations Manager, retain an overview of the operation and development of the School Sports Hall, swimming pool, swim school and commercial lettings programme.

Health & Safety and Fire Prevention

  • Co-ordination and management of Health & Safety and Fire Prevention Procedures.
  • Act as Chairman of the School’s Health and Safety Committee
    • Prepare the annual Health and Safety Report for the Governing Board
  • Work closely with the school’s Health and Safety and Fire Protection advisors to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and best practice requirements related to buildings and operations. This will include preparing risk assessments and processes for external contractors working at the school.
  • Maintenance of effective Health & Safety Policy. Formal review and update to be conducted every 2 years.
  • Assurance of compliance with Health & Safety requirements for the maintenance of Risk Assessments.
  • Assurance of compliance with statutory fire training for all staff.
  • Maintenance and review of fire evacuation procedures and fire prevention policy.
  • Co-ordination of contingency planning requirements, including:
    • Whole School Evacuation Procedures
    • Major Incident Plan, including Lock Down procedures

School Lettings

  • In conjunction with the Bursar, review and oversee commercial lettings and review all external organisations and private individuals wishing to use any of the schools’ facilities during the holiday periods on a commercial or charitable basis.
  • In conjunction with the Facilities Operations Manager, oversee all external organisations using the sports facilities at Dauntsey’s School.
  • Work with the Head of Partnerships to coordinate all outreach activities using the school site.

Estates, Buildings & Maintenance

  • Line management of the Clerk of Works.
  • Estate management co-ordination including planning, budgeting and scheduling of the pre-planned 10-year maintenance programme.
  • Ensure that the delivery of all the estates pre-planned maintenance and capital projects are delivered on time and within budget.
  • Attend and prepare termly reports for the Governors’ Estates Committee.
  • Liaise with the School’s architects on all planning issues and listed building consents required to develop the Dauntsey’s estate in line with the goals of the strategic plan.
  • Develop and lead on the School’s sustainability agenda to materially reduce its carbon footprint and reduce its energy consumption.
  • Ensure that the School is compliant, at all times, with all the relevant legislation and statutory testing and all members of the maintenance team are appropriately certified and qualified.
  • Ensure that an efficient call-out service is in place for out of hours emergency repairs.

Capital Projects and Site Development

  • In conjunction with the Bursar and the Senior Management Team, manage the Site Development Plan for the school
  • Development of user requirements in support of Estates capital expenditure projects.
  • Project management of individual capital projects.

Grounds

  • Line management of the Head Groundsman.
  • Oversight of grounds maintenance activities and co-ordination of the requirements for grounds capital equipment replacement plans.
  • Accountability for the Grounds operating budget.

The following duties are ones which all staff are required to perform

  • Observe health and safety procedures and work safely at all times.
  • Be responsible for your own continuing self development, undertaking training as appropriate to the working environment and location, and developments in your role.
  • Conduct yourself with professionalism, tact and diplomacy as a representative of Dauntsey’s, in line with school policies and procedures.

The post holder may reasonably be required to perform duties other than those given in the job description for the post, including work with a different department or team. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to posts may vary from time to time without changing the character of the duties or the level of the responsibility entailed.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Dauntsey’s seeks to deliver an outstanding educational experience in all fields to its pupils. It requires staff with the ability and expertise to support this ambition. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

QUALIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL

  • Degree qualified or equivalent.
  • Relevant professional qualifications relating to the property/building industry.

DESIRABLE

  • Health & Safety Qualifications such as NEBOSH.
  • Project Management qualifications.
  • Understanding of CAD, Facilities management software and catering management software to include allergen, menu control and stock control.

EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

  • Previous experience of managing (multiple) teams in a fast moving and responsive environment.
  • Financial awareness and experience of budget management and control.
  • Previous experience in a related or similar role.
  • Significant project experience with proven skills in the planning, organisation and implementation of projects.
  • Creation of 10-year budgets across departments and delivery of an annual budget.
  • Previous experience overseeing health and safety matters.
  • Experience of communicating with end users / customers (ie parents).

DESIRABLE

  • Previous experience within an independent school or other educational establishment
  • An understanding of estates engineering (both digital and mechanical), eg heating, electronic and electric systems
  • An understanding of letting building contracts

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

ESSENTIAL

  • Excellent communication skills in both oral and written formats.
  • Excellent negotiating skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
  • Accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise.
  • A working knowledge of property and planning law and regulations.
  • A good working knowledge of Health and Safety including fire safety
  • Understanding sustainability and energy conservation.

DESIRABLE

  • Building trusted and supportive relationships with colleagues.
  • Building relationships with external contractors to ensure high quality provision and value for money.

ATTITUDE AND PERSONAL QUALITIES

ESSENTIAL

  • Proven leadership qualities, energy, drive and determination.
  • Approachable and confident in dealing with a wide variety of people.
  • Tact and discretion.
  • Good humoured and patient.
  • A firm yet flexible approach with a capacity for hard work and sustained effort.
  • Empathy towards the ethos and principles of the school and understanding of the needs and challenges facing independent education.
  • Committed to own professional development.

DESIRABLE

  • A strategic thinker, who is able to translate strategy into practical realism.
  • A willingness to learn and adapt to changing requirements.
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Terms of appointment

The postholder will live on site and will be provided with a 3-bedroom property located on the school grounds. A flexible approach to working hours is required, noting the requirements of a boarding school.

Hours of Work:

During term time – 42.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.00pm with a one hour lunch break) plus Saturdays when the school is in session from 8.00am to 12:30pm  (approx 26 Saturdays per year).

Outside term time – 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday 9am to 5.00pm).

  • Opportunities for meaningful, personalised professional development and coaching
  • Access to a contributory pension scheme
  • Free lunch provided in the Dining Room when the kitchen is in operation
  • Use of the leisure and sports facilities at designated times (which includes a swimming pool and gym)
  • We have a fully equipped Health Centre on site, staffed with qualified nurses, and access to counsellors, which can help to support staff welfare

How to apply

Dauntsey’s School has appointed recruitment specialist Anderson Quigley to support this appointment.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 23rd February 2025

Applications should consist of:

  • CV and covering statement (of no more than 1,000 words) outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post.
  • Candidates shortlisted for interview will be required to complete the school application form in line with Safer Recruitment practices.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Melanie Pye at melanie.pye@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7743 927 786.

As this post is in a school the successful person will engage in regulated activity relevant to children.

Dauntsey’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The school has a range of policies and procedures for child protection and security. All staff are expected to familiarise themselves with and follow all these policies and procedures as part of their professional responsibilities. This includes participating in training and other activities that ensure the School stays complaint with relevant legislation, regulations and good practice.

Dauntsey’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, and the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure (including our Policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders) can be found on the recruitment pages of their website, https://www.dauntseys.org/work-with-us/vacancies. Please read this information as part of your application to the role.

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