Premises Manager, Ark

Ark is a fast-growing education charity committed to running outstanding non-selective community schools. Our highly-successful network of 35 schools educates over 20,000 students across Hastings, Birmingham, London and Portsmouth. They are achieving some of the best results in the country despite being largely in areas of historic academic underachievement.

Our headquarters are in central London where we have a busy office which is home to our central staff and host to a large number of visitors. It is crucial that our offices are well managed, efficiently run and that the general ambience, including the welcome for visitors, is aligned with our brand.

We are seeking an accomplished, professional Premises Manager to ensure the office is well presented and maintained at all times in order that staff may work effectively and safely, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and guidance

The successful candidate will have:

  • Experience of caretaking or building maintenance or other relevant experience ideally within an educational setting and/or listed building
  • Experience of managing or supervising a team
  • Experience of supervising contractors
  • Be aligned with Ark’s ethos of high aspirations and high expectations of self and others.

To apply, please go to Please submit your application by 11am, Friday 16th February 2018.

Closing date:11am, Friday 16th February 2018.
Start Date:ASAP

Location: Holborn, London

Contract:Permanent
Salary:£28,000 - £32,000 per annum, depending on experience

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in our academies. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process. This process is outlined here, but can be provided in more detail if requested. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Job Description: Premises Manager

Reports to:Head of Estates

Start date: ASAP

Salary:£28 -£32k per annum

Hours:42.5 hours per week, all year round

The Role

To ensure the office is well presented and maintained at all times in order that staff may work effectively and safely, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and guidance

To ensure that the office is run efficiently, following good sustainable principles.

To ensure the office is opened and closed on time, kept secure and visitors havea positive first impression.

To act asthe nominated Responsible Person for the office with regards to Fire and Health Safety

Key Responsibilities

Security

  • Manage the opening and closing of the office daily at the agreed times, ensuring that the office is available for evening and weekend use arranging premises cover as required
  • Be a key holder for the office site, liaise with the local police station and control allocation of users for the keys for routine and non-routine opening.Ensure adequate key holder cover during holiday periods
  • In conjunction with the Head of Admin supply and maintain all the keys and/or access control cards for the site and store in a secure location
  • Ensure that all Security Systems such as CCTV, Access Control and Intruder Alarms are fully operational and correctly maintained
  • The post holder may be called out at unsociable hours or at the weekends to deal with security problems, make emergency repairs or allow access to any contractor who may be working on the site, in office holidays or weekends
  • Prevent unauthorised access to the office and manage delivery times to avoid conflict with start/end of day

Health and Safety

  • Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and guidance within the office.
  • Ensure the provision of sufficient Fire Warden and First Aid cover at all times
  • Take the lead in the event of a Fire Evacuation and liaise directly with the Buildings Security team
  • Ensure that all required risk assessments and management plans are up to date and implement any action plans to rectify any deficiencies identified
  • Maintain records of servicing, maintenance and inspection utilising the “Every” System
  • Ensure weekly fire alarm tests and routine inspections are conducted and records kept.
  • Manage and supervise contractors while working in the office, operating a permit to work system as required
  • Respond promptly to any issues raised as part of the annual H&S inspection or Fire Risk Assessment to ensure swift close off
  • Report any hazards and or defects to their Line Manager
  • Make safe any hazards on site as soon as possible
  • Ensure that the appropriate signs and notices are visible throughout the office
  • Ensure that hazardous substances are used, stored and disposed of appropriately and that risk assessments are up to date and available

Building Maintenance:

  • Ensure that all heating, lighting, cooling andventilation are available and working effectively during the opening hours of the office and adjusted as required for evening and weekend use
  • Ensure that all other mechanical, electrical and public health installations are fully operational
  • Develop and implement a detailed planned maintenance plan (PPM)to ensure that building fabric and services are correctly maintained
  • Ensure that all areas of the office and communal areas are clean, tidy and ready for use, liaising with the cleaning contractor to undertake periodic cleaning and one offs for specific functions as required
  • Ensure that all welfare areas are kept stocked and hygienically clean
  • Ensure that any spillages are mopped up and that any bodily fluids, vomit and other soiling is cleaned up as soon as practical
  • Ensure prompt removal of internal and external graffiti
  • Carryout regular joint inspections with the cleaning contactor to maximise service performance
  • Ensure that all IT, Telephony, AV and associated systems are fully operational and available at all times, working with the IT Team as required.
  • Ensure that a detailed asset register is maintained utilising the “Every” Asset Module
  • Ensure that all refuse is disposed of promptly and in accordance with legislation and stored correctly prior to disposal.
  • Undertake general maintenance and remedial works in-house, calling on contractors as required.
  • Maintain plans of the office including locations of call points, fire protection and fire fighting equipment, emergency shut offs, stopcocks and meters
  • Ensure that all premises contracts, services and materials are procured in accordance with the Ark Procurement policy and remain value for money
  • Maintain appropriate levels of spare equipment, ordering as required and checking receipts against order
  • Report any defects of building to the Landlord
  • Report any defects of furniture, fittings and equipment to theirLine Manager

Sustainability and Business Continuity

  • Be responsible for the development, generation and implementation of the office Emergency Response plan and to ensure that it is constantly reviewed, maintained and available as required
  • Ensure that the Building is running effectively and efficiently and optimized for the conditions
  • Ensure that utility use is regularly monitored, with records kept in a format that can be used by Finance staff
  • Assist with implementation of any sustainability measures or schemes that may be available to the office
  • Ensure that all rubbish is sorted for recycling in to the appropriate streams and is disposed of correctly

General

  • Carryout all required space planning and office moves as required, coordinating the involvement of in-house teams such as IT and any required external contactors to ensure minimum disruption to normal office operations
  • Ensure that office and meeting rooms are tidy and set up as required for optimum staff use, working with the IT team as and when required
  • Ensure that a help desk/defect reporting system is maintained for staff utilising the “Evert” issues system
  • Carry out any other reasonable duties instructed by their Line Manager, including Premises work in Ark schools

This job description is subject to change with the agreement of the post holder.

Person Specification: Premises Manager

Qualification Criteria

  • Right to work in the UK.
  • Relevant Health and Safety qualifications and/or willingness to undergo training as required
  • Understanding and ability to apply regulations (such as health & safety, fire, manual handling regulations)

Experience

  • Experience of caretaking or building maintenance or other relevant experience ideally within an educational setting and/or listed building
  • Experience of managing or supervising a team
  • Experience of supervising contractors

Personal Characteristics

  • Excellent team leader with a ‘can-do’ attitude and ability to prioritise tasks
  • Strong commitment to providing a high quality service
  • Strong oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate tactfully and effectively with people at varying levels
  • Understands the importance of confidentiality and discretion
  • Able to follow instructions and direction, as well as show initiative, make good judgments and lead when required
  • Helpfuland willing to undertake extra tasks and support colleagues
  • Self motivated and resilient with the ability to work calmly under pressure
  • Flexible attitude towards work (able to work varied shift patterns and be on called for emergencies)

Specific Skills

  • Ability to manage, motivate and develop an effective team
  • Ability to organize, manage and supervise the work of others (e.g. contractors and cleaners)
  • The post holder must be able to meet the physical demands of the role
  • Ability to use computer control systems and undertake administrative tasks
  • Skills in plumbing, electrical work, carpentry/joinery, painting and glazing

Other

  • Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils
  • Willingness to undertake training
  • This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check