Head of Estates and Facilities

About the Education Village Academy Trust

The Education Village Academy Trust (EVAT) is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) made up of seven academies and schools in the borough of Darlington.  We are an ambitious and growing Trust and our vision for the future is simple:

The Education Village Academy Trust is a place where learning has no limits

Our mission is to deliver exceptional learning experiences to all our children and young people. We stretch aspirations and aim to inspire everyone who learns and works with us to reach high and achieve their potential.

The role – Trust Head of Estates and Facilities

 EVAT has a broad estates portfolio including a large Private Finance Initiative (PFI) site, which is a shared site and is home to three of our schools. The PFI site is scheduled to pass into the Trust’s ownership in 2030.

Our other schools are located in building types that range from Victorian and Edwardian constructions through to a Grade 2 listed building and a 1970s build. The varied nature of our estate and facilities presents an exciting opportunity to an experienced and ambitious estates/facilities professional who wants to make a difference to the learning experiences of children and young people,

As EVAT’s Head of Estates and Facilities you will lead the development and implementation of our estates/facilities strategy, and deliver plans and capital programmes which enable us to deliver on our aspirations for our buildings/facilities and embed a culture in which sustainability and respect for the natural environment is central.

You will be our most senior estates and facilities management expert and this role will be highly visible at all levels. You will build strong, trusted relationships across  all key stakeholders (staff, leadership teams, Trustees and external partners)ensuring that you and your team provide advice and support to maintain a safe and high quality estate across the Trust.

We are looking for an inspiring and highly credible leader with experience in successfully leading estates and facilities management, including developing and implementing estates strategies and capital investment programmes. You will have a deep knowledge of asset management and health and safety and you will be a confident changemaker, with a collaborative and informed approach to all things related to the management and sustainability of estates.

Why work for EVAT?

It’s an exciting time to join EVAT. We have a bold vision for the future and by 2028 we are on track to have achieved four ambitious objectives, which are to:

• Provide exceptional learning experiences and achieve the best possible outcomes for our children and young people
• Build a stronger, even more resilient Trust, that is fit for the future
• Grow our Trust sustainably, strategically and with moral purpose
• Have a positive impact on the natural environment and create a passion for its protection and sustainability in our pupils and staff

Employee benefits

• Local Government Pension Scheme membership – 17.5% employer contribution rate
• Free 24/7 advice line for counselling, support and legal advice
• Opportunities for training/CPD and to lead Trust transformation programmes
• 32 days annual leave every year + bank holidays
• Bespoke induction, leadership and professional development
• Hybrid/agile working opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to a Blue Light discount card
• Free staff car park (EVAT main site)