Epsom College - Director of Campus Operations

Welcome

Epsom College is an inspiring place to work, renowned for delivering an excellent all-round education to 1,100 girls and boys aged 11-18. We are proud to have been judged ‘Independent School of the Year 2023’ and named by The Sunday Times as the “UK’s Most Improved School” in its 2024 Parent Power league tables.

The College has grown significantly in the past six years, with pupil numbers rising 38% as the result of the opening of our Lower School in 2016, and strong growth throughout the rest of the College. We admit pupils into Years 7, 9, and 12, with an average of five applicants for every space.

Epsom is a happy school. The College values of kindness, ambition and integrity are at heart of all that we do. Almost all our pupils remain with us for their A-levels, and staff retention is equally strong. Around 60% of staff live onsite, which lends the College a sense of community and togetherness.

Our focus on delivering an all-round education that develops the whole child, is regularly celebrated. In the past four years, in both the TES and Independent School of the Year Awards, we have been a finalist in the categories of Boarding School of The Year, Co-Ed School of the Year, SLT of the Year, Creativity in Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Community Initiative, and Sporting Achievement.

We are seeking an experienced operator to lead our campus operations. In this role, you will work closely with various departments across the college to ensure that all campus operations work in a productive and well-respected manner.

We hope that you will want to come and join the fantastic team at Epsom College.

About Epsom

Our co-curricular programme – which features a vast array of clubs, societies and activities each week – is award-winning (picking up the ‘Best of the Best’ accolade from The Week for six consecutive years); our CCF is one of the largest in the UK; and our Duke of Edinburgh programme currently has over 100 pupils completing their Gold or Silver award.

In addition, our timetable features wellbeing lessons, an award-winning Personal Social Development offering, and an hour each week for volunteering in the community. Last year Epsom pupils gave 8,500 hours of their time to help local charities, schools, and community groups.

From 8am until 6pm, our 72-acre campus is alive with learning; academic lessons also take place on Saturday mornings meaning that pupils have time each day to learn and develop outside the classroom. When pupils aren’t busy, they can relax and catch up with friends in their House. We have 13 single-sex Houses for all our pupils from Year 9 upwards (whether they are day pupils or boarders). This combination of single sex accommodation within a co-ed environment provides pupils with the best of both worlds.

The fact our Houses are physical buildings, where pupils can step through the door into a space that’s entirely their own, is key to the success of our pastoral programme. The Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health in Schools honoured us with their Gold Award – making us one of just four UK boarding school to receive their top accolade – and in 2023 we were judged Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing.

Sport is central to the College. Last year, we won national titles in Squash, Tennis, Rugby and Shooting; and reached the national finals in Hockey, Golf and Swimming. Over 22 sports are offered to our pupils, and the aim is to encourage participation for all – we regularly field D and E teams, and see an average of 90% of pupils playing competitive fixtures.

A great place to work

One of the happiest places to live in Surrey, surrounded by open space, a beautiful campus and supportive colleagues. Epsom College is the Independent School of the Year, and a great place to work.

We are:

The second happiest place to live in Surrey – according to the ONS (2021)
The seventh happiest place to live in the UK – according to Rightmove (2017)
Independent School of the Year: Student Wellbeing (2022)
One of the UK’s leading Independent Schools and one of only four UK boarding schools to win Gold from the Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health in Schools, for the wellbeing of our staff and pupils.

Our location:

60% of staff live on-site, creating a warm welcoming community.
Two train stations walking distance from the College, with trains to Victoria and Waterloo.
Only 15 miles from Central London, 30 minutes from Gatwick and 45 minutes to Heathrow.
Nestled on the edge of the Surrey Downs, and the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Epsom College itself is situated within a 72-acre Victorian estate
The perfect marriage of proximity to the capital, and access to the countryside.

The role

The Director of Campus Operations (DOCO) is a newly created role to support the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in leading and transforming the operational functions across the campus at Epsom College.

It is an exciting time at the College with the recent commencement of the 16^th Head of Epsom College and he and the COO are now in a position to set and deliver a new and ambitious strategy for the College, building on its success and ensuring a modern operating and learning environment.

As a key member of the College’s Operational Leadership Team, the DOCO will be responsible for four key functions across the campus that are critical to the operation of the College:

The Catering Department
The Commercial and Events Department
The Estates Department, which includes Grounds, Security and Transport
The Facilities Department, which includes Health and Safety, Domestic and Laundry

The DOCO will provide hands-on leadership to the above operational heads to deliver a well-coordinated, operationally excellent service to deliver the strategic aims of the College and the operational departments to a high standard with a customer-orientated ethos.

Health and Safety, along with campus safety and security, will be a key early focus on the role, ensuring that the College is fully compliant in all areas of relevant legislation and the record keeping and coordination of these activities is robust. Along with the Director of Estates, the DOCO will support the new Security Manager, to implement a new security provision across the campus.

The DOCO will work with the COO and the Commercial Team to lead the development an ambitious enterprise strategy to increase the generation of non-fee income. The role will also need to have an general understanding of the wider professional support functions, including Finance, HR, and IT to ensure effective operational delivery across all the College activities.

Director of Campus Operations (AQ2817)

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Key Responsibilities

Strategic Management

Lead the implementation of the College strategy relevant to the operational areas. Ensure that each area has a robust operational plan.
Managing and ensuring the development and productivity of all operational staff in their area of responsibility, including overseeing the line management of the relevant functional leads.
Act as principal technical advisor on all operational matters.
Responsible for the development and empowerment of the functional Heads, encouraging them to be confident and collaborative decision-makers and leaders within the College.

Leadership and Management

Develop open and productive relationships with other operational Directors, the Senior Leadership Team and senior colleagues, participating fully in delivering the College’s strategic plan.
Provide inspiring leadership to motivate, develop and support the operational functions and teams.
Ensure that the necessary skills and competency levels are in place, developed or acquired within each functional area.
Ensure the operational functions have a strong culture of customer service excellence.
Review and improve the organisation of the departments including the current working procedures and practices, management of records, information systems, and related matters.
Overall management of staff and sub-contractors involved in a broad range of key functions including the management of catering, cleaning, estates, grounds, facilities, lettings and transport.
Manage, appraise and coach functional Heads to achieve appropriate and effective leadership of their teams in order to deliver team and individual performance together with staff satisfaction.

General

Ensure that activities that cross all operational departments (including large events such as Founder’s Day, Prize Giving and Open Days) are well co-ordinated and joined-up.
On behalf of the COO, prepare high-quality written reports and management information for the Governors, Head, COO and senior leaders.
Provide responsive customer-focussed communications to parents when required.
Maintain a good working knowledge of new and existing legislation relating to the remit of the role, implementing changes where appropriate.
Review policies and procedures relating to operational areas keeping up to date with legislative changes and good practice.
Manage, maintain and review (bi-annually) all contracts in relation to the areas of responsibility to ensure fit for purpose, value for money and suitability.
Be aware of all risks relating to the operational functions under the remit of the role, ensuring these are mitigated to an acceptable level.

Budget Management

Have oversight of the budgets across the operational functions within remit, ensuring that all functions are actively engaged in the annual financial planning cycle, and have a good understanding of budgets, forecasts, and variances.
Ensure that the budgets for all the areas within the remit of the role are well-managed and operate through a value for money lens, maximising the effective use of the College’s resources for both its operations and commercial revenue generation.

Capital Project Management

On behalf of the COO, oversee capital infrastructure projects (including estates and IT) and be responsible for ensuring that the College infrastructure estates and IT capital projects and programmes meet all relevant standards and are delivered on time and on budget, in the best way to minimise disruption and operational risk to the business, meeting stakeholder requirements.

Estates and Facilities Management:

Support the COO and the Head in the development of an Estates Masterplan that will facilitate the delivery of the College’s strategic objectives.
Working with the Director of Estates, ensure that estates infrastructure meets its current and future needs, developing and overseeing the implementation of the Estates strategy, managing infrastructure requirements, and delivering safe and maintained buildings for staff and pupils.
Working with the Head of Facilities, ensure that the Houses and College buildings are well-supported with a high quality domestic, cleaning, laundry, and portering service.

Health, Safety and Security:

Support the Head, COO and Second Master should a Critical Incident arise and ensure operational functions are ready to respond should the CI Plan be activated.
Ensuring business continuity plans are in place and regularly tested to ensure the continuity of college operations.
Ensuring compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice across all activities.
Maintaining appropriate levels of staff training and ensuring all teams comply with policies and procedures.
Ensuring the College has up to date health and safety policies and Risk Assessments (and associated action plans), and that plans are implemented and regularly reviewed with relevant departmental heads.
Along with the Director of Estates, support the new Security Manager to implement a new security provision across the campus.

Transport (within the Estates Department)

Understanding the College’s transport needs (start and end of day, during the day (sporting activities and trips), weekends and holidays) and ensuring requirements are met in a safe and cost-effective manner.
To regularly review and maintain the College’s transport strategy.

Catering

In liaison with the Director of Catering, support the planning, management, delivery and development of all catering for the College during term time as well as events, hospitality services and commercial activities.

Commercial, Enterprise and Events

Working with the COO, the DOCO will lead the development of a new commercial strategy for the College, ensuring that the use of the College’s assets are maximised to generate non-fee income.

Environmental, Sustainability and Accessibility

Lead on the development and implementation of the College’s environmental, sustainability and accessibility strategy.
Develop the accessibility plan to ensure the College remains compliant and accessible to all visitors and stakeholders.
Oversee the development and implementation of the College sustainability strategy and ensure that the College’s sustainability plan is implemented in all areas of operations.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

No job description can fully cover all aspects of the role and consequently the responsibilities are likely to evolve and change over time. This description gives an overall view of the position.

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 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.

Qualifications/ Experience

Essential

Educated to degree level.
Experience of working at a senior level in a multi-functional organisation with good relevant experience across the remit of the role.
Extensive experience of leading large and complex teams of over 100 people.
A track record of delivering excellence with a customer centred approach.
Experience of budget management and financial acumen in generating commercial income.
Experience of project management, including construction or refurbishment of buildings, with associated budget responsibilities and an understanding of the ‘RIBA plan of work’.
Experience of commercial and enterprise activities.
Strong understanding of Health and Safety legislation and practical requirements, including risk assessments and mitigation.
Able to take ownership, with sound judgement and confident decision maker.
Ability to inspire, influence, motivate and develop to get the most from a wide range of teams and individuals.
A clear understanding of safeguarding protocols within a school environment.

Desirable

Hold a health and safety qualification such as IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent).
Experience in a boarding school, university or similar organisation.
Relevant professional qualification.

Person Specification

A firm commitment to the safeguarding principles and practices within a pupil focused environment.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to deal with people at all levels confidently, sensitively and diplomatically.
Excellent writing skills with the ability to assimilate and analyse complex information into accessible board papers.
A commercial and entrepreneurial mindset.
A creative thinker with a ‘can do’ attitude.
A strong commitment to the aims, values and ethos of Epsom College.
Flexible and adaptable with energy, stamina and enthusiasm.
Capacity to prioritise work and meet targets and deadlines across a diverse portfolio of activity.
Enthusiastic and self-motivated with tenacious approach to problem-solving.
Resilient and willing to go the extra mile in a busy boarding school community.
A holistic approach to equality, diversity and inclusion across the College community and beyond.

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Terms of appointment

Hours: This is a full time role working throughout the year. The minimum hours will be 42.5 per week with such additional hours as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role, including occasional weekends and evenings for certain school events.

Salary: This is a substantive role, and a competitive salary package commensurate with the seniority of the post will be offered, reviewed annually, and paid monthly in arrears on the 25th of the month.

Holidays: The holiday entitlement is 33 days inclusive of bank holidays.

Pension: The College operates the Epsom College Automatic Enrolment Scheme. The Scheme is administered by the Pensions Trust. In addition to the statutory contribution rate, the College will pay an enhanced contribution rate equating to a total of 7%, and the employee contribution is 5%. There is the option to increase the employee contribution by way of AVCs.

Employee benefits include

Life assurance: Members who are automatically enrolled or who choose to opt into the College Pension Scheme will be provided with life assurance cover at two x contractual annual basic salary at no cost to the employee;.
School fee discount: Generous school fee discount available subject to qualifying conditions.
Private health plan: Offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions.
Employee assistance programme: this including free counselling service to employees and close family.
Dining facilities and refreshments: Whilst at work, a free meal and refreshments are available when the dining room is open.
Health fitness and wellbeing: Free use of Fitness suite and swimming pool are available to staff at certain times.
Cycle to Work: The College offers an interest free cycle to work loan subject to a qualifying conditions.
Parking: Free car parking for staff is available on campus.
Computer loan: The College offers an interest free computer loan subject to qualifying conditions.

Offer of Post: In compliance with safer recruitment regulations, the post will be offered subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, pre-placement medical assessment, proof of appropriate qualifications, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if appropriate, as well as confirmation that the successful candidate is able to work in the UK.

Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain the applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted. Please note whilst the Enhanced DBS check will be paid by the College if an overseas police check is required, it will be at the cost of the successful applicant.

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the Epsom College, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is 9.00AM on Wednesday 6 November.

Applications should consist of:

Applications should consist of a CV and covering statement (of no more than 1,000 words) outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete the College application form online with safer recruitment practices.

Should you wish to discuss the role(s) in strict confidence, please contact Hayley Mintern at hayley.mintern@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7596 954 387 or Samantha Bryan-Ross samantha.bryan-ross@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7510 384 713.

The College is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supporting gender equality & Race Equality Charter.

Appointment of the Director of Campus Operations