Trust Director of Capital and Estates Strategy

About Us

The Laurus Trust is a highly successful and growing multi-academy trust in the North West of England, with Cheadle Hulme High School (CHHS), the founder school, at its centre. 

As we continue to expand, and with several major capital projects underway, we have a new and exciting opportunity for a Trust Director of Capital and Estates Strategy to join our Executive Team. You will lead on the Estates strategy to support the Trusts’ vision, project manage all refurbishment and improvement projects across the Trust, and develop the Trust’s environmental strategy with sustainable targets in mind. 

This is a pivotal piece of recruitment for the Trust, as the successful candidate will not only provide strategic leadership and account for the entire Laurus Trust Estate, but will also drive the development of a multi-location Estates Team.

If you feel you could initiate positive change and lead our capital and estates strategy into the future, then we’d like to hear from you. If you’d like to arrange to discuss the role in more detail, please contact melissa.podlaski@laurustrust.co.uk 

Main Responsibilities

• Project manage all material capital projects, including planning permission, contract management, cost control and liaison with external consultants, contractors, architects, DfE and Local Authorities
• Lead on all planning activities and oversee the construction of new facilities, extensions, refurbishments and other changes to existing facilities
• Negotiate contracts and drive costs down to ensure value for money
• Be responsible for building surveys, scope of proposed works, planning permission, tender documentation preparation, contract management, risk management and cost control.
• Manage project/estate budgets in conjunction with the Director of Finance.
• Proactively and strategically communicate with all stakeholders on the full life-cycle of each project
• Develop the Trust’s environmental strategy and action plan, ensuring progress with agreed sustainability targets
• Establish collaborative working relationships with Central Services Directors and external providers to ensure successful project delivery
• Design a strategic annual and 3-5-year plan through the appraisal of current assets 
• Regularly review the Estates delivery model, and develop the team’s capacity, knowledge and skill-set
• Ensure full compliance with all public sector legislation and regulatory requirements
• Identify risks and implement mitigations across all areas of responsibility
• Ensure on project completion that all of the required documentation and manuals are available. 
• Manage the hand over and defects completion process and monitor until all snags and defects are resolved.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant area e.g. engineering, surveying, architecture
• A member of a relevant institute or professional body e.g. MRICS, MCIOB, RIBA
• Project Management Qualification e.g. PRINCE 2 
• Complex change management planning and implementation
• Design & project management of a diverse range of construction projects, including new buildings and refurbishments
• Managing a range of compliant procurement activities
• Sound knowledge of public sector legislation and regulatory requirements

Employee Benefits

We offer a wide range of employee benefits to all of our staff in return for their commitment to our schools, and to help contribute towards improving their well-being. These can be found in the Candidate Brochure.

Applying to the Laurus Trust

The Laurus Trust is an inclusive Equal Employment Opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We welcome and encourage applications from all individuals regardless of individual background or circumstance.

If you want to work in a highly ambitious and successful school, and have the passion and commitment to join us at an exciting time of continuous progression and growth, then we would like to hear from you. 

For more information about The Laurus Trust, or for further information relating to the role and the School you’re applying to, please download the Job Description and Candidate Brochure or visit https://www.laurustrust.co.uk/

If you would prefer to request a manual application pack, or should you require any additional support in completing your application, please feel free to contact us on 0161 549 7000 or via e-mail at; recruitment@laurustrust.co.uk  

Closing Date: Friday 29th July 2022 at 9.00am

Interview Date: Friday 5th August 2022*

*We appreciate that availability may be limited due to the summer holidays. Please indicate on your application should you require an alternative date. 

The Laurus Trust and its affiliated schools are committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across the school. This is in line with statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education and The Education Act 2002, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.