Downe House is looking to appoint an experienced and ambitious Head of Maintenance and Facilities who has worked at a senior level in a property maintenance/ facilities management role and has experience of managing a team.

Description

Head of Maintenance and Facilities - Full Time (40 hrs pw)

Salary Range: Competitive and dependent on experience

Downe House is a leading independent boarding and day school for girls based in Cold Ash, near Thatcham. Our Estates team is committed to the upkeep of our impressive school site and ensuring the safety of pupils and staff at all times. We are fortunate that our pupils can live and learn in modern, beautiful and natural surroundings. The Estates Department play a big role in maintaining our impressive site and grounds and ensuring that all our facilities are safe, compliant and in good working order.

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Maintenance and Facilities who has worked at a senior level in a property maintenance/ facilities management role and with experience of managing a team. The role will have broad responsibilities for the maintenance and management of the School’s impressive 110 acre site including the fabric and infrastructure of School buildings and grounds, ensuring they are fit for purpose to deliver outstanding education and meet all compliance requirements. Duties will include the delivery of project works, contractor management, ensuring that all works are carried out safely and to the required technical standards.

The Head of Maintenance and Estates will report to, and on occasions deputise for, the Director of Estates and Services. They will have a leadership presence with the ability to collaborate and influence at all levels.

We are particularly interested to hear from candidates with:

A compliant, safety-first approach to all estate activities

Innovation in driving sustainability and ESG goals

The ability to manage costs and budgets related to project delivery

Confident people management skills

A proactive, solutions-focused mindset.

Benefits Include

Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions at 9%

Life insurance & critical illness cover

Discounted school fees

Delicious free meals while on duty

Beautiful working environment in a semi-rural location

Modern gym and swimming pool facilities

A variety of social occasions throughout the year.

Closing date: 12th April 2026

The selection process will involve an initial Teams screening call followed by an on-site interview.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Own transport is essential as the school is in a rural location with no public transport links.

For further details you can contact the HR Department on 01635 204712 or email recruitment@downehouse.net If you would like to arrange an informal chat or visit do contact us.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and any offer of employment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check (DBS), satisfactory references, and social media checks.

At Downe House we promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective, and we actively support an environment and culture that values diversity and inclusion.