Estates and Operations Bursar

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth.

The Estates and Operations Bursar will manage all the necessary support functions to facilitate the delivery of outstanding education in a safe environment where pupils and staff can flourish. An instinctive understanding of what excellent service looks like will be required, and the successful candidate will possess the skills and experience to deliver this in a school setting. Strong but empathetic leadership, with meticulous attention to detail and the strength of character to insist on the highest possible standards will be required. The role requires flexibility and an analytical mind, able to find ways through, over or around problems, as well as strong leadership to manage staff and encourage teamwork through collaborative relationships across the School community. You will be a strategic and innovative thinker, a first class communicator and a self-starter, able to work alone, collaboratively and with initiative, inspiring confidence across all the School’s stakeholders.

Reporting to the Bursar, the role’s main responsibilities are:

•  Managing and ensuring the development and productivity of all support staff in their area of responsibility, including overseeing the line management of the relevant functional leads across maintenance, groundskeeping, lettings, transport, cleaning and caretaking.
• Liaising with key senior staff and colleagues across the School sites to ensure support staff deliver as required.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations (including HSE and ISI) that fall within their oversight.
• Maintaining up to date policies and procedures for the work of their teams, which reflect the School’s requirements and relevant legislation and guidance.
• Contribute to the development and effective running of the School’s support systems and services.
• Being the primary point of contact for all support issues in the Bursar’s absence.

Person Specification

Knowledge and experience  

Essential:

• Experience leading and managing a department and preferable within Premises/Facilities setting
• Ability to lead strategically
• Experience managing budgets
• Experience of strategic planning and project management
• Leadership experience
• Evidence of further relevant professional development

Desirable:

• Confidence and understanding of safeguarding and child protection statutory legislations and school protocols
• Understanding of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
• Up to date knowledge of H&S policies and procedures
• Demonstrate a good understanding of statutory legislation as it relates to the built environment
• Demonstrable knowledge of the full spectrum of facilities management functions, including contract management, tendering, business development and continuity planning.
• Demonstrable up-to-date knowledge of current licensing, H&S and disability/access legislation, and the ability to apply these pragmatically through appropriate policies and procedures

Skills and abilities

• Strong/good level of IT competency, including Office 365
• Outstanding written skills and good command of the English language
• Excellent communication and listening skills, and the ability to deal confidentially and professionally with individuals at all levels
• Attention to detail and a meticulous working practices
• Ability to evaluate information and data, and actively question and clarify information
• Well-developed time management, organisational and planning skills
• A flexible approach and the ability to multitask and cope with a changing, varied and at times busy workload
• Expert knowledge of some of the areas identified in the job description
• Ability to think strategically, innovatively and creatively
• Skilled in motivating, developing and inspiring staff
• Able to work effectively as part of a school team with staff and contractors
• Ability to take a strong lead on standards and expectations across all teams, but also demonstrate a range of leadership styles

Personal attributes

• Commitment to promoting the ethos and values of the school and getting the best outcomes for all staff and students
• Commitment to working with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness to safeguard the assets, financial probity and reputation of the school
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
• Ability to remain positive and maintain an enthusiastic outlook with resilience, perseverance and optimism in the face of challenges
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality

Location and Hours of Work

The Estates and Operations Bursar works from the school main site in Old Portsmouth and is expected to live within reasonable travelling distance of the school.

This is a full-time role for 37.5 hours per week, throughout the year. The normal hours of work will be 08.30 to 16.30 each day with an unpaid 30 minute lunchbreak. Some flexibility is required in this management role to work additional hours and occasionally at evenings and weekends to fulfil the requirements of the role and support the school’s operations.

The post is salaried and does not attract overtime.

The start date will be as early as the recruiting process and the successful candidate’s notice period allows.

The closing date for receipt of applications is noon 12th December 2022 and early applications are encouraged. Interviews will take place in school as soon as possible thereafter. Informal enquires are welcome at HR@pgs.org.uk