Head of Estates and Facilities
Candidate Information Pack
Contents
Introduction About Ark The Ark Schools Network Job Description Person Specification
Why Work for Ark Application Process
Dear Candidate Thank you for your interest in the Head of Estates and Facilities role at Ark. Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. From working with just one school, Ark has since grown into a network of 38 schools in four geographical regions in the UK - and is now recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country. Ark is now looking to appoint a dynamic, enthusiastic and forward thinking Head of Estates and Facilities to oversee the management and development of the Ark estate, lead the team and focus on the development of the three-year strategic priorities to ensure that the service to Ark schools is exceptional. The Head of Estates will have full oversight of the capital developments of the estate, including a focus on sustainability projects, efficiency standards and modernisations to services. The Head of Estates and Facilities will also have full responsibility of all health and safety and compliance aspects for the Ark estate, ensuring all documentation is kept up to date against both regulatory and statutory requirements and effective reporting is undertaken and delivered. They will be accountable and responsible for planning, implementation, procurement, and delivery of a high-quality services across the whole estate.
Find out more about Ark’s journey
video
About Ark
Transforming lives through education
Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. We started with one school, fourteen years ago We’ve always believed that, with the right approach, every school has the potential to succeed - even those in the most challenging circumstances. Nothing should be a barrier to children achieving. From working with just one school, Ark has since grown into a network of 38 schools in the UK - and is now recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country. We still only work in the communities where we can make the biggest difference to
children’s lives, and all our schools are non-selective. As our network has grown, so have our ambitions
We want to change the lives of children everywhere, not just in our own schools. So we create and incubate ventures designed not only to help pupils in Ark schools, but also to improve education systems as a whole. These ventures tackle some of the most intractable problems facing children – including poor numeracy, inadequate support
for dyslexic pupils, and the lack of quality social workers. We innovate, learn and adapt - and then we share it
Things can only be changed through hard work, high expectations and evidence- driven approaches. In some cases, it could be about tweaking the way a lesson is taught; in others, it’s changing the way we think about training teachers. For instance, in the UK, our structured approach to teacher training and professional development is helping to embed outstanding teaching in our schools– for trainee teachers right through to executive headteachers. And we don’t stop at training our own teachers. Programmes such as the Ambition Institute and Mathematics Mastery are now training teachers and school leaders in hundreds of schools across the UK.
Working in partnership is key to everything we do, locally and globally We can have a bigger impact when we work with others, such as governments and education organisations, as well as people at a local level too. From having key members of the community as governors, to engaging parents and taking part in local events, our schools work with others to create happy, safe communities. Working in partnership has also allowed us to extend our impact to other countries – spreading our expertise through initiatives designed to improve entire education systems. Through Ark’s Education Partnerships Group, we’re working to bring governments and education organisations closer together to create better schools. In India and Uganda, this involves implementing new ways of tracking and improving school quality and student performance. In Kenya and South Africa, we’re developing low-cost school information systems to drive student progress through better use of data. Working together is key to everything we do: whether that’s teachers sharing resources across countries, or children from different schools helping each other to perform a song on stage. Our work has greater impact when we share knowledge and expertise. We are driven by the belief that every child can succeed if they have the right opportunities Over recent years, we have seen some life-changing results. However it is only the beginning. We’re committed to transforming even more lives through education.
The Ark schools network
The Ark schools in London
The Ark schools in Hastings
The Ark schools in Portsmouth
The Ark schools in Birmingham
Job Description
Location: London (with travel across the Ark estate required) Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 per annum
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Head of Estates and Facilities to oversee the management and development of the Ark estate. The Ark estate consists of over 40 assets in four geographical regions, and we are looking for a candidate able to lead on both the continued improvement of our school facilities, oversee the capital development of the estate, aligned to network priorities, as well as someone with a detailed understanding of health and safety and compliance and ensuring these are met. We are looking for someone to join the organisation and lead the team focusing on the development of the three-year strategic priorities to ensure that the service to our schools is exceptional and that we have robust plans in place to ensure our school buildings continue to be high-quality and inspiring to our staff and students. The postholder will also be responsible for ensuring that our schools’ estate is equipped to meet the growing challenges around climate change. This is an ideal role for an individual with strategic property expertise and with a hands on and ‘can-do’ approach to solving problems. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of managing people, experience of strategic planning and experience of improving and implementing processes to support effective operations.
Key priorities of the role
Leadership and people • Strategic leadership and overall responsibility for the development of all aspects of the Ark Schools estate • Line management of the Estates team including undertaking all people processes for these employees and ensuring that the support to academies is high quality and supports effective estates management • Own and develop relationships with third party suppliers to support high quality support and services to the Ark network of schools Strategic • Develop, implement and oversee the estates strategic annual and 3–5- year plan based on the condition surveys • Be responsible for the planning, implementation, procurement, and delivery of a high-quality service in relation to all estate, facilities and health and safety work • Monitor and assess current provision and tender and procure contracted services such as catering, cleaning and utilities Compliance • Provide professional services to the network and individual schools and ensure that the Trust complies with relevant property legislation, regulations and guidance • Oversee the development of all policies and procedures concerning the Ark Schools estate • Develop the framework for all estates related statutory elements including overseeing the implementation and reporting of all audits
• Manage policies and guidance regarding health and safety, and coordinate advice and support to the Trust Capital Planning • Contribute to the prioritisation and allocation of capital funds in line with Ark Schools’ objectives • Oversee major capital projects across the network Sustainability • Devise a carbon reduction strategy across the network Reporting • Manage the development of, and ensure the effective delivery of, all estates related reporting to the Ark Schools Management Team and Board in accordance with the Trust reporting cycle • Ensure that the budgets for works are prepared correctly and that information is made available so that current and future expenditure is recorded and monitored • Undertake other responsibilities as directed by the line manager • Responsible for all relevant reporting to the ESFA • Manage the development of the estate management system to support the effective management of the estate and to enable high quality reporting
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications • A degree or relevant extensive experience in a related subject: e.g., Facilities Management, Asset Management etc • Member of IWFM • NEBOSH at Certificate or Diploma level or equivalent qualification, knowledge, skills and experience at an appropriate level Chartered Facilities Manager or Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) (desirable) • IOSH Certificate (desirable) • Right to work in the UK Knowledge and Experience • Have at least three years’ experience of strategic Estate Management • Ability to build and execute strategy • Experience of working in a complex, multi-site environment • Able to demonstrate strong business and financial expertise • Good understanding and working knowledge of Health and Safety regulations including risk assessment and COSHH • Ability to interpret advice/statute and to devise policy/practice and translate into actions which are followed through to ensure compliance • Experience of staff leadership and management with strong experience of driving team performance • Experience of external contract and supplier management • Experience of ensuring compliance with all aspects of health and safety, staffing and legislative requirements Specific skills • Detail orientated, with strong organisational, project management and planning skills • Excellent communication skills – both oral and written – and able to communicate issues to a wide range of stakeholders including those with limited technical knowledge • Excellent IT skills with specific skill in using Microsoft Office applications especially MS Teams, Excel and PowerPoint • Ability to persuade, motivate, negotiate and influence to implement good practices across the network and ensure compliance • Ability to make a wider contribution to the network strategies and decision making
Personal Characteristics • Self-motivated with ability to manage own workload and work with minimal supervision • Team player, with ability to build relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders • Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting demands • Demonstrates resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of work • Willingness to travel across Ark’s network of schools • Takes personal responsibility and accountability and able to make well informed balanced decisions taking account of risk • Demonstrates a proactive approach taking responsibility for areas of work and finding solutions • Anticipates need for change, proactively introducing systems to bring about improvements in effectiveness and efficiency • Is adaptable to change/embraces and welcomes change Values • Personal vision is aligned with Ark’s high aspirations and expectations of self and others • Genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every student • Motivation to continually improve standards, service and achieve excellence above norms Other • This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check • This candidate must be committed to equality and diversity in the workplace
Why Work for Ark?
ARK VALUES
At Ark, we are all united by the same goal; a commitment to drive real change in education where it’s needed most. The development of our staff is one of our top priorities, at every level and in every role. Joining Ark means there are plenty of diverse opportunities to progress your career, choosing the direction you want to take it in. Whether that be in one of our new or transition schools, a school in another region in the UK, as part of our dedicated central team or by working for one of our innovative Ark Ventures. By joining Ark, you will have access to Ark Rewards, a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bicycle and gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym. You’ll be able to use the Employee Assistance Programme which provides free confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.
Shop discounts Our staff can claim up to £1,000 a year in savings from over 3,000 major retailers. Interest-free loans We offer up to £5,000 to staff who buy a season ticket or a bicycle. Childcare vouchers Our staff can receive childcare vouchers as part of a salary-sacrifice scheme. Gym discounts Our team members can save up to 40% at their local gym.
Application Process
Applications should consist of a CV and covering statement outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post. Applications should be sent to our retained recruitment advisor, The Management Recruitment Group, for the attention of: Rob Cullum E: rob.cullum@mrgpeople.co.uk T: 020 3692 9900 M: 07973 193 785 Closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Sunday 7th November 2021. First interviews to take place week commencing: Monday 15th November 2021.
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