Estate Manager

Shorefields; Leigh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational facility in Leigh, England is seeking an Estate Manager to oversee the day-to-day management of its buildings and grounds. The ideal candidate will possess excellent technical skills and experience in leading a site team, ensuring safety, cleanliness, and efficiency. Responsibilities include managing operations, coordinating with external contractors, and maintaining high standards on the school premises. This position requires flexibility for emergencies and events, along with commitment to pupil welfare and safeguarding.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing school facilities or similar environments.
• Ability to inspire and lead a site team effectively.
• Experience with contractors and maintenance tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day site operations and maintenance.
• Manage site team performance and conduct inspections.
• Respond to emergency call-outs and maintain site security.
• Coordinate with contractors for high-quality service.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Excellent technical skills

Proactive problem-solving

Leadership

Team management

Health and Safety knowledge

Job description

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 20/02/2026 4pm Date of Interviews: w/b 2 March 2026

We are seeking to appoint an Estate Manager with responsibility for the day-to-day practical management of the school's buildings, grounds and facilities.

This is a hands-on role requiring excellent technical skills, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to lead and motivate a site team. The Estate Manager will ensure the school operates safely and efficiently, maintaining high standards of cleanliness, maintenance and security.

The role includes line management responsibility for the site team and external contractors (including cleaning & catering), serving as the designated Health and Safety Responsible Person, and acting as a key holder for emergency response.

Duties will include:

• Lead day-to-day site operations, ensuring buildings, grounds and equipment are well-maintained, clean, safe and secure
• Act as the designated site Health and Safety Responsible Person
• Directly line manage and performance manage the site team
• Carry out routine maintenance tasks including minor repairs, painting, carpentry, and general upkeep
• Coordinate with external contractors to ensure work is completed safely and to a high standard
• Conduct regular site inspections to identify maintenance needs and address issues proactively
• Act as key holder and respond to emergency callouts as required and open and secure the school premises as required
• Support the Headteacher in maintaining safe site capacity and managing risk

Further detail in relation to the duties can be found in the job description.

This role is based on-site at The St. Christopher School and may require flexibility to work outside standard hours for events, emergencies, or urgent maintenance needs.

As a school we are committed to ensuring the welfare and safeguarding of all pupils. All staff will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.

Information about the School

The St. Christopher School is a specialist special school for Communication & Interaction for pupils aged 3 - 19. We work with a wide range of pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, communication & interaction difficulties and range of learning difficulties. The school is part of SEN Trust Southend.

SEN Trust Southend opened as a formal partnership on 1 September 2017. The four special schools, The St. Christopher School, Kingsdown School, Lancaster School and St. Nicholas School have always worked closely together to create a strong group of special schools which aim to meet the majority of needs of those pupils who require specialist support in a specialist educational school with Southend. We created the Multi-Academy Trust to help us continue this work.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.