Head of Estates
Independent Boarding School
Berkshire, close to Newbury
£60,000–£65,000 + Excellent Benefits
Take ownership of a large, live estate, and run it properly.
This is a senior, hands-on role within a leading independent boarding school, set across a complex, multi-building campus operating 24/7, supported by a multidisciplinary estates team of around 20 staff.
You’ll lead the day-to-day maintenance and facilities operation, owning compliance, driving standards, and ensuring everything runs safely, efficiently, and without drama. This is full operational control, not just task management.
Why join?
This is an environment where estates is taken seriously.
You’ll be working across a single, well-invested campus, complex enough to be interesting, without the fragmentation and politics of commercial portfolios. You can see the full picture and take real ownership.
The role is varied. You’ll lead PPM and compliance, manage contractors, oversee smaller projects, and work closely with the school day-to-day. It’s a sizeable, well-structured operation, big enough to be interesting, but still close-knit enough to lead properly.
It’s also a stable, well-funded setting, with a long-term approach to investment, structured annual pay reviews, and a focus on doing things properly, not constant cost-cutting.
There’s a clear sense of purpose. The estate directly supports pupil safety, wellbeing, and daily school life, and your work is visible and valued. This is a step-up role for someone ready to take ownership and progress.
Alongside the role, there’s a strong benefits package including free meals, on-site gym and swimming facilities, generous pension and life assurance, and a clear focus on wellbeing, development, and long-term stability.
What you’ll do
You’ll lead maintenance and facilities across the estate, with a core focus on PPM and compliance. Owning statutory compliance (fire, water, electrical, asbestos), you’ll ensure everything is planned, delivered, and audit-ready, while managing contractors closely and holding them to account.
You’ll oversee a multidisciplinary team and in-house specialists, setting standards and ensuring work is delivered properly, while managing smaller projects and supporting larger works on site. You’ll also act as a visible presence across the school, working with staff at all levels in a live environment.
What you’ll bring
You’ll have a solid grounding in maintenance and compliance within a complex site, and a good working knowledge of PPM, statutory requirements, and contractor management. You’ll already be leading a team, or ready to take on more, and confident setting standards and holding people to account.
You’ll be practical, calm under pressure, and able to communicate clearly with non-technical stakeholders. Ideally, you’ll hold a NEBOSH or IOSH qualification.
Interested?
Let’s have a conversation. You don’t need a polished CV, just get in touch in confidence.
Apply now or contact Tom Morrison at Sielo Search via LinkedIn or:
tom@sielosearch.com | 07537 162 323