Facilities Manager - Soft Services

Leigh Academies Trust has enhanced its Estates team to support its existing 31 academies and those that will join in the future. It is seeking to complement its existing team of Academy Estates Managers with a Soft FM specialist.

As a member of the Estates team, working within the Central Kent Estates cluster, reporting to the Cluster Estates Manager.  You will manage key areas of responsibility on behalf of the Estates team, whilst providing an efficient, customer-focused service. This will enable each academy to efficiently and effectively maximise facilities and resources, to achieve the best possible educational outcomes.

Key responsibilities include the following;

Whilst working collaboratively as part of the cluster Estates team, each Academy Estates Manager will be responsible for key areas of responsibility including Hard FM, Soft FM and FM Support Management, and is responsible for its delivery across a defined geographical area.

This post will cover the Soft FM aspect of the Academy Estates Manager role, leading on management of the cluster’s cleaning, catering and landscaping functions.  The successful candidate will also have responsibility for managing the external hiring of our facilities to community groups and businesses within the cluster.

The Central Kent Estates cluster covers the following locations:

Bearsted Primary Academy

Hayesbrook Academy

Horsmonden Primary Academy

Langley Park Primary Academy

Marden Primary Academy

Mascalls Academy

Molehill Primary Academy

Oaks Primary Academy

Paddock Wood Primary Academy

Snowfields Academy (Maidstone and Cranbrook campuses)

Tree Tops Primary Academy

For a full list of responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the attached job description below.

This is a full time, permanent opportunity offering a starting salary ranging between £30,538 - £34,929 per annum, commensurate with experience.

For an informal telephone discussion with Sam Thomas (Cluster Estates Manager) please contact the Talent Team via talent@latrust.org.uk. 

Benefits of working at Leigh Academies Trust;

• 25 days annual leave per annum + bank holidays, increasing to 30 days + bank holidays after 5 years' service 
• Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme) 
• Full company closure and time off between Christmas and New Year
• You'll be part of a highly experienced team with a flexible and proactive ethos 
• Training and qualifications supported / encouraged 
• Mileage allowance for travel between sites 
• Free, on-site parking at every site 
• And much more… click here for more information on LAT Employee Benefits

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2021, our Trust comprises 31 geographically organised academies (15 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing over 2,500 talented staff. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2025 document.  

As part of Leigh Academies Trust you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the range of benefits available to all LAT staff.  

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units.  All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.  

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds.​​​​​​​

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible.  Therefore, early applications are encouraged.