Head of Facilities Management – The Kemnal Academies Trust
The Role of Head of Facilities Management
The Kemnal Academies Trust is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Head of Facilities Management to lead the delivery of high-quality facilities management services across our family of academies. This is a newly established senior role within the Trust’s Estates function and an exciting opportunity to shape how facilities management services are delivered. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Estates, you will provide professional leadership, support and direction to academy-based facilities teams, helping our schools maintain safe, compliant and welcoming environments in which pupils and staff can thrive. You will lead the development of a consistent Trust-wide approach to facilities management while recognising the individual needs of each academy. Working closely with headteachers, business managers and site teams, you will ensure that operational priorities are understood, risks are managed and schools receive responsive, practical support.
About The Kemnal Academies Trust
The Kemnal Academies Trust is one of the largest Multi-Academy Trusts in the South and East of England, bringing together 45 primary, secondary, and special academies. Driven by our core purpose “ambition for every child and pride in the communities we serve” we work collaboratively across our family of schools to raise standards, share expertise, and deliver a broad, high-quality education. By placing pupils and staff at the heart of everything we do, we provide dedicated support for those most in need, invest heavily in professional development, and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement the Trust’s Facilities Management strategy, policies, standards and standard operating procedures.
- Act as the Trust’s subject matter expert on Facilities Management.
- Promote consistent and proportionate FM standards across all academies.
- Promote continuous improvement and the sharing of best practice across schools.
- Provide professional advice and guidance to schools on facilities management, maintenance and compliance best practice.
- Support schools with the procurement and mobilisation of FM services where required.
- Build collaborative relationships with academy leaders and local colleagues without direct line management responsibility for school site teams.
- Work collaboratively with Procurement to develop, tender and manage Trust-wide hard and soft FM contracts.
- Identify opportunities for contract rationalisation and Trust-wide cost savings.
- Develop performance standards, key performance indicators and contract monitoring arrangements.
- Develop benchmarking, reporting and management information for FM performance.
- Monitor contractor and service performance through agreed standards and key performance indicators.
- Use performance information to identify trends, areas for improvement and opportunities to increase consistency across the Trust.
Investing in our employees wellbeing and career development is a priority for us, we can offer you:
- Headspace Subscription – free access to the leading wellbeing and mindfulness app to support your mental health every day.
- Mindfulness Programme – free eight-week mindfulness course for adults (8 x 90 min, out-of-hours sessions).
- Blue Light Card Access – eligibility to join the UK’s leading discount scheme, providing exclusive savings on shopping, dining, and travel to help your salary go further.
- Cycle to Work Scheme – spread the cost of a new bike and enjoy a healthier, more sustainable commute.
- Funded Development Training – a vast array of courses available to help you grow in your chosen area, including subject-specific accreditations.
- Generous Employer Pension Contribution – helping you build long-term financial security with a substantial investment into your future.
- Supportive & Innovative Culture – a friendly environment committed to work-life balance, offering the chance to be part of exciting developments and innovative change.
The successful candidate will have:
- Significant experience in facilities or estates management, ideally across a multi-site organisation.
- Strong knowledge of statutory premises compliance, maintenance and facilities operations.
- Experience of leading and developing dispersed operational teams.
- The ability to build effective relationships with senior leaders, school-based colleagues, contractors and professional advisers.
- Experience of managing budgets, contracts, service providers and performance information.
- A practical, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to manage competing priorities.
- A relevant professional qualification or membership of an appropriate professional body, or equivalent experience.
This is an opportunity to play a central role in the next stage of Kemnal’s Estates development. You will join a supportive and ambitious team committed to improving the service provided to academies and ensuring that our buildings and facilities positively support education. The role will be based at the Atkins Centre in Sidcup, with regular travel to Kemnal academies across the Trust’s geographical area. Flexible working arrangements may be available, subject to the operational requirements of the role.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of applications.
Safeguarding
Kemnal is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
Flexible working
Kemnal recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In Kemnal we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.
Our Commitment - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging
At Kemnal, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
Access to interview
Be Who You Are at Kemnal - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.
