Francis Holland Schools - Director of Estates and Facilities

Welcome

Francis Holland is a group of leading independent girls’ schools steeped in history based in Central London. The group has delivered a significant improvement in educational results and business performance in the past two years and is well positioned for future expansion.

The Trust set up enables high quality service provision to be delivered across our schools and provides financial stability through the shared central services. Trust staff are supported by a council of professionals, pre-eminent in their fields, who provide well-informed advice and support to Trust staff and its schools via a structure of committees. They also take a broad strategic view on the business operations and the future growth of the Trust.

To reach our goals we understand we need to continue to invest in great facilities. Our aim is to ensure a high standard learning environment which the Director of Estates and Facilities plays an integral part.

The Director of Estates and Facilities will need to be comfortable working with leaders from both commercial and academic backgrounds. We are looking for an leader who can embrace the school communities and add value to the educational offering.

Having been at the Trust for the last nine years I am excited for what the future can hold and the ideas and innovation that this appointment will bring to the trust. This is an exciting time to join, and I look forward to receiving your application.

Geoff Wilmot
Chief Operating Officer

About us

About the Trust

The Francis Holland Schools Trust is an educational charity which manages two independent day schools for girls in London.

Both schools were founded by Canon Francis Holland in the late 19th Century and both have been called Francis Holland School ever since. The Trust has equal responsibility for the two schools.

Established in 1878, the Trust provides financial stability through the shared Bursary and shared Board of Governors known as The Council. There are currently 17 members who are all pre-eminent in their professional fields, providing well-informed advice via a structure of committees to both schools.

Both Francis Holland Schools therefore benefit from not only a strong financial foundation but also shared best practice both educationally and administratively. The Trust however recognises the different characters of each school and great value is placed on the autonomy each Head has over their school in terms of staffing, curriculum, uniform and culture.

There is a close working relationship between the Chairman of Governors, the Heads and the Bursar ensuring a smooth running organisation.

Our Schools

FHS, Regent’s Park, is an academic day school for girls aged 11 to 18.

Our reputation for examination success is supported by a caring environment where girls can thrive. We offer an outstanding and enriching curriculum delivered by excellent teaching staff. Our community is a blend of cultures and diversity which add to our unique learning environment.

You can read Headmistress Katharine Woodcock’s welcome message here.

FHS, Sloane Square, is an academic day school for girls aged 4 to 18.

Our ambition is to provide a curriculum and environment which will enable our girls to become the leaders, thinkers, innovators, designers, entrepreneurs and game-changers of tomorrow. We offer an outstanding learning experience and culture by putting curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving at the heart of our approach to learning.

You can read interim Head Rob Cawley’s welcome message here.

The role

Director of Estates and Facilities (AQ2277)

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Title: Director of Estates and Facilities (DoEF)
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Responsible for: Facilities Managers at each school and their teams
Work closely with: Heads of schools; COO; Governing body as appropriate; Trust staff
Job Purpose: The DoEF is responsible for all of the Trust’s properties, estates infrastructure, capital projects and maintenancematters and for implementation of Health and Safety policy across the Trust’s operations.

Key Responsibilities

Collaborate with the COO and the Heads to strategic plan for future estates infrastructure projects, and where necessary acting as client representative for all major projects and overseeing management of all projects.
Oversee the condition and ongoing improvement of all site infrastructure through a long-term 5-year capital plan and PPM program, including the maintenance of appropriate site plans for buildings and services.
Acting as Trust Health and Safety Compliance Officer with overall responsibility for advising the COO and the Heads on actions needed to maintain the highest practical standards of health and safety compliance and other regulatory compliance related to the Trust’s facilities. Will include attendance at termly H&S meetings at each school and overseeing inspections, audits, walkabouts etc. Liaise as necessary with governor responsible for H&S.
Accountable for the facilities helpdesk and compliance software to ensure efficient resources are allocated, work is completed in accordance with SLAs and compliance is maintained at all times.
Assist the COO and The Heads with the development and implementation of appropriate security arrangements for both sites.
Responsible for the implementation of the Trust’s environmental and sustainability strategy, producing timely reports on utility use and sustainability matters.
Management of arrangements of all utility supplies, security and fire safety systems ensuring regular repairs are made throughout the year.
Manage contracts and tenders in related to estates infrastructure, utilities, transport, cleaning and catering, ensuring the Trust receives optimum value, is fully compliant with health and safety legislation and observes best practice professional standards in its operations.
Manage the facilities, utilities, cleaning and catering budgets and providing input to the annual budgeting process.
Manage the facilities staff, undertaking annual performance and development reviews, assessing training and development needs etc.
Liaisie with all FH staff to understand their requirements and to ensure excellent communication and co-ordination of works to minimise disruption.
Oversee the provision of logistical support to the schools in respect of their event programmes.
Attend meetings and school events as directed by the COO, which may include occasional evenings and weekends.
Overseeing lettings of school premises and developing additional income stream opportunities for the school sites, particularly during the holidays.
Build relationships with local community as appropriate including Grosvenor Estates, Westminster Council, residents in respect of matters related to planning, transport etc.
Maintain awareness of strategic opportunities to acquire appropriate facilities in the vicinity.
Undertake any other reasonable tasks as directed by the COO.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Member of a recognised building/construction related professional body: CIOB, CEng, RIBA, RICS, CIBSE or BIFM , or equivalent significant experience.
Extensive, in-depth experience of formulating long term, organisation-wide strategic plans and development of projects resulting in positive value for money outcomes, adjusting plans and strategies in anticipation of complex environmental and political changes.
Experience of financial management and budgeting.
Well-developed awareness of customer needs and a commitment to continually improve service delivery.
Extensive experience of developing, influencing and maintaining excellent customer relationships.
Experience working with external partners/supplier – local companies, and suppliers.
Proven ability to liaise, co-ordinate and disseminate quality information across a range of disciplines.
People management – a leader and team player, with the skills to get the most out of the people who work with you, and for you.
Strong commercial understanding with the ability to manage complex contracts.

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Terms of appointment

Location

Based primarily at the Bursary Office, 35 Bourne Street, London, SW1W 8JA, the Director of Estates and facilities is expected to provide a reassuring presence to our leadership teams, especially the School leadership teams (SLTs) during term time. The weekly working pattern will need to be flexible to allow for operational issues.

Hours of work

09.00-17.00, full-time. The Trust supports flexible working and will consider requests for other working arrangements. This role is expected to be office based during term time with the flexibility to work from home outside of term time.

Salary

Circa £80,000, dependent on experience. Generous pension scheme with employer contribution of 13.5%.

Employee Benefits

30 days holiday, plus 5 days to be taken over the Christmas period, plus bank holidays.
Private Medical Insurance.
Complimentary school lunch onsite during term time.
Interest free travel and computer purchase loans are available.
The Trust offers a Stakeholder Employee rewards hub providing discounts for shops, cinemas and gym membership.

Safeguarding

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required as well as other safeguarding checks including references Safeguarding. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Statutory checks references will be a requirement for this role. This role is classed as regulated activity with children as it involves working within the school on a day-to-day basis with regular and frequent opportunity for contact with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974.

How to apply

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

The closing date for applications is noon on Sunday 12^th November 2023.

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 Trust application form in line with safer recruitment practices.

Should you wish to discuss the role(s) in strict confidence, please contact Hayley Mintern on hayley@andersonquigley.com, or +44 (0)7596 954 387.

The trust is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supporting gender equality & Race Equality Charter. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.