Site Engineering Manager – Facilities & Compliance

Estates Manager / Head of Estates – Compliance & Facilities

Location: Lewisham, South East London – overseeing an additional site in Southwark
Pay Rate: £28–£35 per hour
Hours: Full-time

The Opportunity

Ace Academics is recruiting an experienced Estates Manager / Head of Estates on behalf of a well-established Further Education college in South East London.

Primarily based in Lewisham, the successful candidate will also oversee estates and facilities operations at an additional college campus in Southwark.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Estates or Facilities Manager with a strong understanding of statutory compliance, health & safety, building maintenance and contractor management to take responsibility for maintaining safe, compliant and efficiently managed educational facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day estates and facilities operations across two college campuses in Lewisham and Southwark.
• Ensure compliance with statutory building regulations, health & safety legislation, fire safety requirements and relevant estates policies.
• Manage planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive repairs and ongoing building maintenance programmes.
• Oversee statutory inspections, compliance records, risk assessments and remedial works.
• Manage and coordinate estates teams, maintenance contractors, cleaning, security and external service providers.
• Monitor building systems, including mechanical and electrical services, ensuring appropriate maintenance and compliance.
• Support refurbishment projects, minor works and ongoing improvements across both sites.
• Manage estates budgets, contractor expenditure and service delivery standards.
• Liaise with senior college management and stakeholders to ensure both campuses remain safe, operational and fit for purpose.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience as an Estates Manager, Facilities Manager, Head of Estates or similar management-level position.
• Strong knowledge of statutory compliance, health & safety, fire safety and building maintenance regulations.
• Experience managing contractors, maintenance teams and external service providers.
• Good understanding of PPM schedules, compliance audits, risk assessments and facilities operations.
• Experience overseeing multiple buildings or sites.
• Strong organisational, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to operational issues.

Desirable Experience

• Previous estates or facilities management experience within Further Education, Higher Education, schools, NHS or public-sector environments.
• IOSH, NEBOSH, IWFM or relevant estates/facilities management qualifications.
• Experience overseeing mechanical and electrical maintenance, capital works or refurbishment projects.
• Familiarity with statutory compliance documentation and contractor management systems.

Why Apply?

• Competitive hourly rate of £26–£35 per hour.
• Senior estates management opportunity within an established education environment.
• Responsibility for two college campuses in South East London.
• Varied role combining operational leadership, compliance and facilities management.
• Opportunity to make a direct impact on building safety, maintenance standards and service delivery.

Apply today with your updated CV for immediate consideration. Suitable candidates with relevant estates management and statutory compliance experience are encouraged to apply.

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