Head of Estates

Job Introduction

Due to the recent growth of our Trust, we are offering a new and exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to lead the strategic management, development and enhancement of our diverse estate as part of the central team, playing a key role in shaping the Trust’s future.

Our Trust has grown steadily since 2020 when it opened with just two brand new schools. We now have eight academies based in and around Romsey, Winchester, Eastleigh and Southampton with a focus on primary and preschool education. Our unique relationship with the University of Winchester allows us to offer our children exciting, research led and creative ways to learn whilst providing excellent professional development opportunities for all our staff.

Our central team supports our family of schools across the functions of Finance, HR, Administration, SEND, Estates Management, Governance, Compliance and Health and Safety. We are a small team with one goal – to provide cost effective and efficient back-office services to our academies, supporting staff to deliver the very best outcomes for all our pupils.

We are looking for someone who can act as the Trust’s technical lead and trusted advisor on estate development, asset management and property matters and who can build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, consultants and contractors to achieve excellent outcomes. You will need to proactively lead our Estates Management functions providing oversight and support to our Trustees, CEO, School Leaders and Site Teams.

Are you someone who has:

• Extensive experience in estate, property or asset management across a sizeable and diverse portfolio.
• A proven track record of successfully delivering capital and refurbishment projects.
• Excellent commercial awareness and experience of managing budgets, contracts and supplier performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, including experience of risk assessment and mitigation.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence at all levels.
• Relevant professional qualifications and technical expertise appropriate to the role
• The desire to be an integral part of the next chapter for UWinAT

If so, we would welcome the opportunity for an informal and confidential conversation and invite you to visit us prior to application.

We can offer

• High quality professional development and leadership support
• Local Government Pension Scheme (including 17% employer contribution and 50/50 option)
• Confidential wellbeing support services
• General annual leave, increasing with service
• The chance to work with amazing colleagues within a supportive team environment

We guarantee that no two days will be the same but every day will make a difference! 

For an informal conversation about the post or to arrange to visit our Trust Offices please contact Nicola Wells, CEO by email on ceo@uwinat.co.uk or by telephone on 01794 512028 (Option 3)

Closing date:  1700hr 10th September, we reserve the right to close earlier should suitable applicants apply before the closing date. 

Interviews: w/c 14th September

Visit the Trust: 

For an informal conversation about the post or to arrange to visit our Trust Offices please contact Nicola Wells, CEO by email on ceo@uwinat.co.uk or by telephone on 01794 512028 (Option 3)

Application Procedure:

Applications should be submitted on UWinAT application forms, individual CV’s will not be accepted.   If you currently work in a school or Trust, please ensure one of your references is from your current Headteacher.   Application forms and further information about the Trust and its schools can be found on the UWinAT website:

University of Winchester Academy Trust - Trust vacancies

Completed application forms should be returned by the closing date to HR@uwinat.co.uk

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools

We currently do not use AI tools in our recruitment processes; however, we understand that you may choose to use AI tools to help you with your application.

If you do, please remember:

1. AI generated applications can often be generic and impersonal, which may not accurately reflect your qualifications, skills and experiences
2. AI generated applications may lack the personal touch that human-written applications have, this may make you seem less engaged and interested
3. Ensure the information provided genuinely represents your own voice and experience
4. You must not provide false or misleading information
5. If you rely too heavily on AI you might not develop the necessary skills to communicate your experiences and qualifications effectively in interviews or other stages of the hiring process. This may make you come across to the interviewer as a different person to the one that wrote the application form, and you may not be successful in the interview.

Safer Recruitment Statement

The University of Winchester Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflects this commitment.   Candidates that are shortlisted will be subject to an online check. All successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) along with other relevant employment checks, including Children’s Barred List. Prior to interview, an online search will be carried out on information that is publicly available as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.