Job Overview
At Laine Theatre Arts, the Head of Estates & Facilities is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the College's estate, ensuring that all buildings, facilities and infrastructure are maintained to the highest standards and provide a safe, compliant and effective environment for students, staff, visitors and external users.
The role leads all aspects of Estates and Facilities Management, including building maintenance, Health & Safety, statutory compliance, contractor management, cleaning, security, building services and planned preventative maintenance. The postholder is responsible for coordinating the operational logistics required to support productions, performances, examinations and College events, ensuring facilities are prepared, compliant and operationally effective.
The Head of Estates & Facilities directly manages the College's maintenance team of two staff, ensuring maintenance activities are effectively planned, prioritised and delivered. The role works closely with senior leaders, academic departments and external contractors to support the College's operational objectives while ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and best practice.
Key Responsibilities
Estates and Facilities Management
- Lead the day-to-day management of the College estate across all buildings and facilities.
- Develop and implement planned preventative maintenance programmes.
- Oversee reactive maintenance and ensure repairs are completed promptly and effectively.
- Ensure buildings, teaching spaces, studios, theatres, offices and communal areas remain safe, operational and fit for purpose.
- Manage building fabric, mechanical and electrical systems and associated infrastructure.
- Develop long-term maintenance strategies and lifecycle replacement programmes.
- Support capital works, refurbishment and improvement projects.
- Manage space utilisation and facilities planning across the College.
Health & Safety
- Lead the College's Health & Safety function and promote a positive safety culture.
- Develop, implement and review Health & Safety policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation and College policies.
- Act as the College's lead adviser on operational Health & Safety matters.
- Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, implementing corrective actions where required.
- Deliver Health & Safety training and guidance to staff where appropriate.
- Coordinate emergency planning, evacuation procedures and business continuity arrangements.
- Chair or support Health & Safety meetings and audits.
Risk Assessments
- Develop and maintain College-wide risk assessment procedures.
- Carry out operational risk assessments across the estate.
- Support departments in preparing suitable and sufficient risk assessments for activities and events.
- Review and monitor control measures to ensure continued compliance.
- Maintain accurate Health & Safety records and documentation.
Statutory Compliance
- Ensure all statutory inspections, testing and servicing are completed within required timescales.
Oversee compliance relating to:
- Fire Safety
- Emergency Lighting
- Electrical Testing
- Gas Safety
- Water Hygiene (Legionella)
- Asbestos Management
- Lifting Equipment
- Pressure Systems
- Building Regulations
- Maintain accurate compliance records and certification.
- Ensure recommendations arising from inspections are actioned promptly.
Building Operations
- Manage security, access control and key management systems.
- Oversee cleaning, waste management and environmental services.
- Ensure the College estate remains secure, clean and well maintained.
- Monitor utilities and energy usage and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
- Coordinate room setups and facilities requirements for College activities.
Production and Event Logistics
- Coordinate the operational logistics for productions, performances, showcases, examinations and College events.
- Plan venue preparation, room layouts and operational schedules.
- Coordinate deliveries, storage, access arrangements and equipment movements.
- Ensure production-related activities comply with Health & Safety requirements.
- Liaise with production, technical and academic departments to ensure facilities requirements are met.
- Coordinate contractor access and operational support during productions and events.
Maintenance Team Management
- Provide day-to-day leadership and line management of the College's maintenance and security team.
- Allocate workloads and prioritise maintenance requests.
- Monitor performance and ensure work is completed to a high standard.
- Conduct supervision, appraisals and staff development reviews.
- Identify training requirements and support professional development.
- Ensure safe systems of work are followed at all times.
- Coordinate staff rotas, annual leave and absence cover.
Contractor and Supplier Management
- Procure and manage external contractors and service providers.
- Monitor contractor performance and compliance with College standards.
- Ensure contractors operate safely and comply with Health & Safety requirements.
- Manage maintenance contracts and service agreements.
- Obtain quotations and oversee procurement for estates-related works.
- Monitor contractor budgets and expenditure.
Budget Management
- Prepare and manage the Estates and Facilities budget.
- Monitor expenditure and ensure value for money.
- Develop maintenance and capital expenditure forecasts.
- Support procurement and tendering exercises.
- Produce management reports relating to estates expenditure and operational performance.
Environmental Sustainability
- Promote environmentally responsible working practices.
- Support energy reduction and sustainability initiatives.
- Monitor waste management and recycling programmes.
- Identify opportunities to improve environmental performance across the estate.
Leadership and Collaboration
- Work closely with the Principal, Directors and departmental managers to support College operations.
- Provide professional advice on estates, facilities and Health & Safety matters.
- Build effective relationships with staff, students and external partners.
- Promote high standards of customer service across Estates and Facilities.
General Duties
- Participate in emergency response arrangements.
- Support strategic planning for future estate developments.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR requirements.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably required within the scope of the role.
Person Specification
This section outlines the knowledge, experience and capabilities required to effectively lead the Estates and Facilities function.
Essential
- Significant experience managing estates and facilities within an educational, commercial or public sector environment.
- Proven experience leading maintenance or facilities teams.
- Experience managing a maintenance workforce and external contractors.
- Excellent knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and statutory compliance.
- Experience carrying out and reviewing risk assessments.
- Experience managing planned preventative maintenance programmes.
- Strong understanding of building maintenance and building services.
- Experience managing operational budgets.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to prioritise competing operational demands.
- Confident using Microsoft Office and facilities management systems.
Desirable
- NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.
- IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent.
- IWFM membership or other relevant professional qualification.
- Experience within Further Education, Higher Education or Performing Arts.
- Knowledge of theatre, studio or production venue operations.
- Experience managing capital projects.
- First Aid qualification.
- Fire Safety or Fire Marshal qualification.
Skills and Attributes
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Highly organised with excellent planning ability.
- Practical and solutions-focused.
- Calm under pressure.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Strong decision-making skills.
- Professional and approachable.
- Able to build positive working relationships across all departments.
- Flexible and adaptable approach.
- High level of integrity and accountability.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and excellent customer service.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, and are dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout our recruitment process and employment practices.
Pay: £40,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
