Estates Strategy Manager - Education / Multi-Academy Trust

Salary: £49,818-£61,001 per annum
Location: Roade, Northamptonshire, or a school within the trust, with travel across sites (Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and West Midlands)

Help shape safe, sustainable and well-managed school environments where young people can thrive.

Our client is recruiting Estates Strategy Manager to join the central team of a multi school academy trust. This is an opportunity for an experienced estates, property or facilities professional to lead estate planning, capital projects and compliance across a varied portfolio of in excess of 20 schools.

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, in this strategically important role you will advise senior leaders and trustees, work closely with school business managers and site teams to ensure buildings and facilities meet the trust's current and, importantly, future needs.

Based from one of their properties in Northamptonshire the role will require travel across their whole portfolio.

The role
Combining strategic planning with practical oversight, you will:
* Develop and review the trust's long-term estates strategy, capital programmes and asset management plans.
* Oversee planned and reactive maintenance, supporting schools with priorities and one-to-five-year project plans.
* Support capital funding allocation, procurement, tendering and contractor management, ensuring quality, value for money and budget control.
* Lead oversight of health and safety and statutory compliance, including fire safety, asbestos, legionella and electrical testing.
* Coordinate business continuity, site security and emergency planning, ensuring procedures are documented and tested.
* Drive energy efficiency, sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives.
* Support property matters, including leases, land and buildings, and estates due diligence for schools joining the trust.
* Maintain reliable estates information and provide clear reports to senior leaders and trustees.
* Line manage the Estates and Assets Coordinator and support the development of school site teams.

About you
You will be confident managing a complex property portfolio, balancing competing priorities and explaining technical matters clearly to different audiences.

Essential experience and skills include:
* A degree or equivalent in a property-related discipline, such as surveying, building, engineering, architecture or facilities management, or more than five years of directly relevant experience.
* Successful management of maintenance programmes, capital projects and building works.
* A track record of delivering projects to the required standard, on time and within budget.
* Experience of compliant procurement, tendering, contract management and financial monitoring.
* Extensive knowledge of health and safety policies and practices.
* The ability to manage staff, budgets and relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
* Strong organisation, communication and IT skills, including the ability to learn new systems.
* A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business travel.
* A commitment to safeguarding, professional development and flexible working to meet operational needs.

Education-sector experience is desirable, rather than essential. Relevant professional qualifications such as MRICS, MCIOB, NEBOSH or IOSH, and project management or quantity surveying qualifications, would also be advantageous.

Why consider this opportunity?
* Strategic influence: Help shape investment, estate development and sustainability priorities.
* Variety: Work across multiple school sites with different needs and opportunities.
* Meaningful impact: Create safe, effective environments that support teaching and learning.
* Collaboration: Work with senior leaders, school teams and specialist advisers.
* Permanent position: Take a long-term approach to improving the estate.

Apply or have a confidential conversation

Click Apply Now, email andrew@manaeducation.co.uk, or call 0800 0 255 144, quoting Estates Strategy Manager.

Send your CV outlining your relevant estates, property or facilities management experience. Mana Education will discuss the opportunity with you before submitting your details to the employer.

Salary: £49,818-£61,001 per annum

Location: Northamptonshire
Suitable living locations include: Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Silverstone, Towcester, Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Bedford, Daventry, Milton Keynes
Contract: Permanent


Safeguarding and equal opportunities
The appointment is subject to appropriate safer recruitment and suitability checks. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and share a commitment to safeguarding children and young people. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.


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