Cumnor House Sussex is a prestigious independent preparatory school nestled in the scenic Sussex countryside. Our extensive and well-maintained grounds include sports fields, woodlands, gardens, and recreational areas that contribute to an enriching environment for our pupils and staff.
Cumnor House Sussex is seeking an experienced and dedicated Facilities Manager to join our team.
Main Responsibilities:
Health and Safety Management:
- Assume delegated responsibility from the Head and Bursar for the Health and Safety management of the school.
- Develop and maintain processes to ensure all risk assessments and policies are owned by designated staff, regularly reviewed, and followed in practice.
- Ensure all staff complete necessary Health and Safety training, including induction training for new staff.
- Ensure compliance with fire safety legislation, including arranging fire risk assessments, PAT testing, fire extinguisher, fire alarm and emergency lighting testing, evacuation procedures, drills, and maintaining appropriate records.
- Ensure all buildings comply with current health and safety policies and current legislation by undertaking a termly property inspection return.
- Coordinate and minute termly Health and Safety Committee Meetings with staff.
- Receive and prioritise health and safety concerns from staff, passing them to the maintenance or grounds team to resolve within appropriate timeframes.
- Arrange periodic external compliance audits as necessary and maintain appropriate records.
- Ensure staff training is up-to-date (COSHH, fire safety, fire warden, health and safety).
- Maintain appropriate Health and Safety Records on the Bright HR platform and undertake required statutory reporting.
Housekeeping and Hygiene:
- Along with the Head of Housekeeping ensure responsibility for the cleanliness of the school buildings.
- Along with the Head of Housekeeping ensure deep cleaning is timetabled and carried out.
- Manage external waste and hygiene provider contracts.
- Work with the housekeeping team to arrange any external training and maintain training records on the Bright HR platform.
Transport Services:
- Ensure the School Mini Bus Service operates effectively and efficiently in accordance with current legislation.
- Oversee the strategic and operational delivery of the school minibus service, ensuring all minibuses have weekly checks and current MOT certificates.
- Liaise with third party provider Jurni where Mini Buses develop faults.
Facility Management:
- Assist with all lettings of school facilities and Mini Buses, including Holiday Clubs.
- Oversee the use of facilities by external agencies, ensuring appropriate contractual, safeguarding, induction and access arrangements.
Estates and Grounds:
- Line manage the Grounds and Maintenance Teams.
- Collaborate with the Bursar to plan and project manage Minor Works and Major Capital Works projects.
- Ensure the annual cycle of maintenance is booked and undertaken by proficient specialists, including fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, Fire Risk Assessments, chimney sweeping, and lightning protection testing.
- Work with the Head Groundsman to ensure the grounds are well maintained.
- Work with the Grounds and Maintenance Teams to arrange any external training and maintain training records on the Bright HR platform.
Site Maintenance:
- Undertake all building maintenance, prioritising work by agreement with Bursar;
- Manage the installation or repair and maintenance of the School’s property and equipment;
- Undertake any painting, decorating or general renovations requested by the Bursar, ensuring that these areas are well ventilated and safe for pupils, visitors and colleagues;
- Coordinate building or renovation projects as directed by the Bursar;
- Ensure building and repair costs are kept to a minimum, and invoices checked;
- Oversee maintenance of tennis courts, all-weather surface, indoor and outdoor pools (in cooperation with the Pool Manager) playgrounds, Sports Hall and sheds or pavilions;
- Ensure the maintenance of drives, car-parks, gates and barriers, checking that they are clear, unobstructed and safe;
- Ensure lighting and signs inside and outside of the school are clear, visible and in good working order;
- Ensure that accessible gutters and downpipes are free from obstruction, especially in autumn. If not, report appropriately.
Contractors:
- Keep useful records of dates and contractors that provide scheduled maintenance;
- Record any emergency calls and call-outs and pass them on to the Bursar;
- Follow guidance issued by the Bursar to ensure call-outs to contractors are kept to a minimum;
- Organise and monitor contractors, including plumber, electrician, fire equipment and alarms, drains and sewers, utilities, pest control, decorators and water hygiene management;
- Request tenders or quotations for work at all opportunities, for approval by Bursar;
- Ensure that any visiting contractors have the correct permit to work;
- Ensure that any contractors working within the roof spaces do not damage any fire curtains without prior approval;
- Where applicable, ensure that contractors procure a Hot Works permit;
- Act as the main contact between the Bursar and contractors for any repairs and servicing;
- Share in the responsibility for the instruction, orientation and induction of contractors.
Staff:
- Manage the work load of the Maintenance staff, including appropriate training and information sharing;
- Participate in staff meetings as required;
- Train staff in the safe and correct use of equipment;
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, suppliers and contractors;
- Work cooperatively with the Head of Grounds and the Grounds team, setting an example of high standards of professionalism and conscientiousness.
Other Responsibilities:
- Direct and oversee the work of the third-party plumber, painter and electricians, all of whom are contracted to the school for a set number of days per year.
- Assist with the preparation for whole-school events, such as Sports Day or the Christmas Fayre. These events may require a few hours of work in the evening or on a Saturday;
- Complete monthly stock checks of all tools and other items of value;
- Ensure the Maintenance compound security is checked regularly, including door and gate locks;
- Attend the site for emergency call outs out of hours when it has been agreed that you should do so.
- Understand and follow all school policies and procedures.
- Consider how to improve the school’s sustainability in all areas of its operations.
- Attend appropriate training and meetings.
- Undertake other such specific duties appropriate to your post which the Head and Bursar may reasonably assign from time to time.
- Assist the Bursar with major tenders e.g. catering and electricity supply,
Qualifications and Skills
- Proven experience in a similar role, preferably in an educational setting.
- Self-motivated and pro-active
- Demonstrate ability to communicate at all levels of the organization, both orally and in writing.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with various teams and external partners.
- Management experience: people, projects, and budgets
- Ability to interpret legislation and guidance, including a good understanding of Health and Safety regulations and best practices.
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Excellent organisational and project management skills.
- IT literate
- Knowledge of the regulatory framework for independent schools would be desirable.
Remuneration and Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Free on-site parking
- Complimentary dining and refreshments available all day during term time
- Free use of indoor swimming pool at specified times
- Employee assistance programme
- Death in Service Benefit
- Generous pension
Hours of work
This is a full-time, year-round role. Due to the nature of this job, the working hours could vary. As Facilities Manager you will be expected to be in school from 07:00 to 16:00. There may be some flexibility on working hours for the right candidate.
Application Process and Safeguarding
To apply, please complete our application form (which can be found on our website) and submit it with a covering letter by 31st July 2026 to [email protected]
For more information about Cumnor House Sussex or this role, please call Karen German, Head of HR, on 01825 790347 or visit our website: https://cumnor.co.uk/information/career-opportunities/
CHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all staff to share this commitment. A successful application will be dependent upon a satisfactory enhanced DBS check and other safeguarding checks and screening, including references. All staff have a key role to play in identifying concerns early and in providing help for children, and are expected to act in accordance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection policies which are available on our website. Please note that applications will be considered as they arrive, and CHS reserves the right to make an appointment at any time.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
