Senior Facilities Manager

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Role purpose

The Facilities Manager keeps assigned school premises safe, operational and ready for learning. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role plans maintenance, manages service providers and facilities projects, controls costs, and works with school leaders to resolve issues with minimal disruption to children, families and staff.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver preventive maintenance plans for buildings, mechanical and electrical systems, air conditioning, fire protection, lifts, grounds and other site assets within the assigned scope.

• Conduct regular site inspections; maintain asset registers, service records and work order logs; prioritise defects and verify that corrective work is completed to the required standard.

• Maintain safe, clean and functional learning environments by coordinating repairs, cleaning, pest control, security and other facilities services with campus leaders.

• Manage vendors and contractors from scope definition and quotation through procurement, site supervision, quality checks, payment verification and performance review, in line with approval limits.

• Prepare operating and capital expenditure budgets, monitor spending and utility use, and recommend practical improvements to cost, reliability and environmental performance.

• Plan and deliver renovations, fit-outs, relocations and lifecycle replacements; manage schedules, budgets, handover documentation and disruption controls.

• Keep required inspections, permits, certificates and maintenance records current; coordinate with relevant specialists and authorities to meet applicable local requirements.

• Maintain site emergency readiness and business continuity arrangements, including response to outages, leaks, fire alarms and other facilities incidents; escalate material risks promptly.

• Apply school safeguarding and access procedures to contractors and visitors, including approvals, identification, supervision and controls around areas used by children.

• Lead assigned facilities staff, set service standards and provide clear updates to the COO and school leaders on risks, projects, costs and service performance.

Qualifications and experience

• Diploma or degree in facilities management, engineering, building services, construction or a related discipline; relevant professional certification is an advantage.

• At least five years of relevant facilities or building operations experience, including vendor management, budgeting and maintenance planning; experience across multiple sites is preferred.

• Practical knowledge of building systems, health and safety practices, emergency response, project coordination and local compliance processes.

• Strong planning, problem-solving, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to respond calmly to urgent issues.

• Comfortable using spreadsheets and facilities or work order systems to track costs, assets and service performance.

Measures of success

• Planned maintenance completed on schedule, with accurate and current records.

• Critical defects and incidents addressed within agreed response times; recurring faults reduced.

• Facilities costs and projects managed within approved budgets, scope and timelines.

• Positive feedback from campus leaders on safety, responsiveness and service quality.