Tallented have been retained by Solent Academies Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust headquartered in Southampton with schools across the South Coast, to search for a newly created position, Director of Estates and Compliance.

They are seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking Director of Estates and Compliance to join the executive leadership team of their growing multi-academy trust. This senior role is pivotal in shaping and delivering a comprehensive estates strategy that ensures their facilities are safe, sustainable, and aligned with the trust’s long-term vision for growth and excellence.

As Director of Estates and Compliance, you will lead on the strategic management of a diverse portfolio, overseeing a combined annual budget of approximately £1 million across capital and revenue. Your responsibilities will include developing and implementing a robust five-year estates plan, managing significant capital projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. You will also play a key role in advancing their carbon neutrality ambitions, improving energy efficiency, and embedding sustainability across the trust.

This role requires exceptional leadership to strategically lead site managers, operational staff, and newly in-house services such as catering. You will ensure high standards are maintained while driving continuous improvement in areas like risk assessment, business continuity planning, and legislative compliance. Additionally, you will provide strategic guidance on lease negotiations, school expansions, and due diligence for trust growth.

With a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, you will work collaboratively with education leaders, trustees, and external partners to deliver projects within tight timelines while managing expectations effectively. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact by enhancing the operational resilience and strategic direction of our estates.If you have the expertise to lead at a strategic level while navigating operational complexities with precision, we invite you to apply for this critical leadership role.

An abridged summary of the key responsibilities are as follows:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive estates strategy.
• Lead from an Estates perspective on trust-wide expansion projects.
• Provide strategic advice on long-term estate planning.
• Embed sustainability goals into the estates strategy.

Estates Management

• Oversee all aspects of estate management across multiple sites.
• Manage leases for properties.
• Oversee significant capital works and estate transformation projects.

Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations across all sites, including regular audits and risk assessments.
• Lead on the development of non-curriculum risk assessments and establish robust business continuity plans.
• Oversee health and safety governance frameworks to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement.

Environmental Sustainability

• Drive the trust’s sustainability agenda by implementing energy-saving initiatives and carbon reduction strategies.
• Manage energy contracts across the trust to ensure cost efficiency while meeting environmental targets.
• Monitor environmental compliance and promote sustainable practices across all schools.

Operational Management

• Manage a diverse team of 30–40 staff across cleaning, catering, transport (23 minibuses), and estates functions.
• Oversee recently in-house catering.
• Ensure transport operations comply with legislative requirements.

A full job description, as well as a pack with further information on the post will be provided post application to suitable candidates.

Recruitment Timelines:

• January 6th: Role Advertised
• January 13th - January 26th: Tallented Interviews
• January 26: Advert Closure
• W/C 3rd February: Solent 1st Round Interviews
• W/C 10th February: Solent 2nd Round Interviews

‍