Key Role Information

Salary
51,573.60 - 58,500.00
Job type
Permanent
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
19/01/2026 09:00
Interview
TBC
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
£51,573.60 - £58,500 (pt 31 – pt 35)
Department
Central Services
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
36.00
Weeks per year
52.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Are you an organised, proactive and dedicated professional who takes pride in creating safe, well-managed and inspiring environments? Do you thrive in a role where every day is different, where your decisions directly impact the wellbeing and success of children and young people? If so, we’d love to hear from you.


West Kirby Educational Trust - comprising West Kirby School & College and Acre View Primary School - is seeking to appoint an Estates, Operations and Health & Safety Lead to join our committed and passionate team.


This is a pivotal position ensuring the effective management, safety and operation of our school environments. You will lead on estates management, facilities planning, day-to-day operations and compliance with all health and safety requirements. Your work will help maintain the high-quality, safe and nurturing spaces that enable our pupils to thrive.


This role would suit someone who is:



•Highly organised, proactive and able to multitask confidently

•Calm under pressure, with strong problem-solving skills

•A clear communicator who builds positive relationships

•Knowledgeable about health & safety, compliance and operational standards

•Dependable, conscientious and detail-driven

•Motivated by purpose and passionate about improving young people’s lives

Qualifications

Clean, full drivers licenceessential
Qualifications relating to Health & Safety, such as NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent)essential
Evidence of CPD related to Health & Safety, compliance, estates management or operational leadershipessential
Certificates in any practical skillsdesirable
NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH membership or equivalent level qualificationdesirable
Recognised project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM)desirable

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Strong working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation, including risk assessment, fire safety, COSHH and regulatory compliance frameworksessential
Knowledge of premises and estates management, including buildings, equipment, inspections, planned maintenance and operational documentationessential
Understanding of strategic risk management and how to maintain, monitor and review a risk registeressential
Understanding of data protection/GDPR requirements as applicable to operational functionsessential
Knowledge of safeguarding expectations in relation to school operations and site managementessential
Knowledge of working with pupils with complex special educational needs

Experience

Significant senior-level experience in estates, premises or facilities management across multiple sitesessential
Demonstrable experience leading compliance and Health & Safety functions, including audits, policy implementation and quality assuranceessential
Proven line management of diverse operational teams (e.g., site/estates, domestic, or contractors)essential
Experience leading, managing and delivering capital development projects, including budget oversight and project planningessential
Experience managing third-party suppliers, contracts, tenders and KPIs to ensure best valueessential
Experience developing, monitoring and reviewing operational systems, processes and documentation to ensure complianceessential
Experience contributing to organisational strategy and supporting delivery of organisational or departmental development plansessential
Experience of working in a school
Ideally will have considerable experience and expertise (as a former tradesperson) in a specific trade
Experience in developing and delivering staff training related to Health & Safety, compliance or operational procedures

Personal Attributes

Motivation to work with and support the wellbeing of children and young peopleessential
Emotional resilience when working in dynamic and sometimes challenging environmentsessential
Ability to form and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with pupils, staff and external partnersessential
Adaptable, flexible and solution-focused, with the ability to work calmly under pressureessential
Detail-oriented, conscientious and committed to maintaining high standardsessential
Confident in challenging others to improve quality, compliance and outcomesessential
Outcome-oriented, with the ability to set stretching but realistic goals for themselves and their teamsessential
Team player who contributes positively to organisational cultureessential
Sense of humour, patience, enthusiasm and motivation essential
Commitment to personal professional development and supporting the development of others
Positive attitude towards change and continuous improvement

Relevant Skills

Ability to confidently challenge poor performance or standards, and set clear expectationsessential
Ability to manage operations across multiple sites, responding effectively to unplanned events and emergenciesessential
Ability to effectively prioritise work and work towards outcomesessential
Strong organisational, planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to deliver high-quality outcomes across competing workstreamsessential
Ability to lead, motivate and develop staff to ensure effective and efficient department performanceessential
Ability to analyse risks, implement controls and oversee compliance monitoring across multiple departmentsessential
Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholdersessential
Strong financial and budget management skills, including monitoring spend and ensuring value for moneyessential
Awareness of sustainability, environmental impact and modern approaches to eco-efficient estates management
Ability to support and embed continuous improvement and innovation within estates and operational services

West Kirby Educational Trust

Alice Pyatt

recruitment@wkrs.co.uk

West Kirby Residential School
107-119 Meols Drive, West Kirby
Wirral
Merseyside
CH48 5DH

Safeguarding Information

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to rigorous recruitment & online checks. West Kirby Educational Trust is an exempt employer as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975) and as such, we have a lawful basis for requesting an enhanced DBS disclosure certificate for all employees.