Head of Estates

Be Part of Something Bigger – Shape the Future of Our School Environments

Are you an experienced estates leader looking for a high-impact, strategic role within a growing and values-driven Multi-Academy Trust? Are you passionate about creating safe, sustainable, and future-ready learning environments?

At St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust (SJCMAT), we are on an exciting journey of growth and transformation. With 10 schools (and more joining us), our mission is to provide outstanding Catholic education for every child. As we expand, our need for strong, strategic leadership in estates and health & safety has never been greater.

We are now recruiting for a Head of Estates and Health & Safety—a key role in our Central Team. You’ll work alongside our Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) and other central leaders to shape, deliver and evolve a Trust-wide estates strategy that supports our ambitions, safeguards our sites, and ensures all schools benefit from high-quality, efficient, and compliant environments.

This role is based at the Trust’s central office in the Port of Liverpool Building, but we offer flexibility to work remotely. The role also requires travel to the schools, when needed. We are keen to understand how this role could work for you and are open to consider flexible working options.

Why Join SJCMAT?

• Strategic Leadership – Report directly to the CFOO and be part of the central executive team shaping Trust-wide operations.
• Exciting Growth Plans – Join a Trust that is expanding and evolving, offering career progression and project leadership opportunities.
• Transformational Impact – Lead major capital investments, drive sustainability, and establish a sector-leading estates and H&S function.
• Collaborative Environment – Work closely with academy-level business leaders, site teams, and senior leaders across the Trust.
• Stunning Location – Be based at the iconic Port of Liverpool Building, with regular school visits across the region.
• Strong Employee Offer – Access to CPD, wellbeing programmes, flexible working, and a Trust benefits package.

Your Role – A Strategic Estates & H&S Leader

As Head of Estates and Health & Safety, you will:

• Be the lead professional for estates and health & safety across all SJCMAT schools.
• Shape and deliver a strategic estates and compliance plan to support the Trust’s current operations and future growth.
• Lead on the management and deployment of capital funding (including £1m+ annual School Condition Allocation).
• Oversee large-scale projects including refurbishments, new builds, and sustainability schemes.
• Work in partnership with our outsourced estates provider to ensure efficient, cost-effective delivery of projects.
• Develop a centralised estates team, leading site staff across schools and driving consistent standards.
• Deliver gold-standard compliance and health & safety management using tools such as the Every Compliance system.
• Lead on environmental initiatives and carbon reduction, supporting our ambition to be Carbon Zero by 2030.
• Oversee estates procurement, supplier management, risk, insurance, and business continuity across all sites.
• Provide training to academy-level business leaders, site teams, and Trustees to embed a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a highly experienced, forward-thinking leader who can blend strategic oversight with operational expertise.

You will have:

• Significant experience in estates and facilities management, ideally across multiple sites.
• A strong understanding of health & safety, compliance, and capital project delivery.
• A NEBOSH qualification (or equivalent) and deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks.
• Confidence in managing budgets, procurement, suppliers, and capital allocations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience leading estates within education, MATs, NHS, universities, or similar sectors.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel across schools.

What We Offer



• Competitive Salary – Commensurate with experience and impact.
• Career Development – Join a role that will grow alongside the Trust.
• Professional Environment – Work from a landmark central HQ with flexible and collaborative working culture.
• CPD Opportunities – We invest in leadership development and progression.
• Wellbeing & Benefits – Access to EAP, staff perks, and wellbeing services.
• Make a Difference – Directly shape the quality and safety of learning environments for thousands of children.