Facility Manager

ROLE SUMMARY:

Inspired is seeking to appoint a “Facility Manager” to join St John’s International School on a Full-Time basis.

Founded in 1964, St. John’s International School is a private, non-profit educational institution. We are an IB continuum school committed to excellence in education through inquiry-based, child-centred teaching and learning. We are accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
Circa 500 students from 55 countries pursue a challenging academic curriculum that includes an emphasis on development in athletics and the arts, all within the context of the ethos and values that make St. John’s unique.

The highly educated, qualified and dedicated international teaching faculty makes the difference for the students at St. John’s. Among more than 15 nationalities represented, approximately quarter each hail from the UK, the US, Belgium and the rest of the world. More than 50% of the faculty holds advanced degrees.
Students and staff benefit from a wide range of world-class facilities, including high specification visual and performing arts areas and extensive sports grounds designed to offer something to everyone.

English is the language of instruction throughout the school. French is taught in all grades from kindergarten at foreign language and native speaker levels. Spanish, German and Dutch are offered as world languages from Grade 8 onwards. A dual language programme in English and French is offered as an option from grades Pre-K through Grade 5. Self-taught mother tongue languages are also offered in Grades 9 to 12.

The school  is situated in a pleasant residential part of French-speaking Waterloo, within easy walking distance of local shops and amenities. Waterloo and the surrounding area offer a great way of life whether you are joining solo or with your family. The centre of Brussels is easily reached by car or tram. This world city offers all of the cultural, economic and other attractions of a political capital. 

We offer an excellent package to members of staff, a comprehensive induction programme and a very warm welcome to St. John’s in what we trust will be a long and happy career with us!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary goal of the Facility Manager is to maintain and develop the campus to create a safe, stimulating environment for all community members. This role involves managing all campus facilities, including technical, cleaning, grounds maintenance, and catering services, while overseeing renovation projects and ensuring progress on the strategic campus plan. The Facility Manager supervises on-site contractors and the concierge staff and works hands-on to improve the efficiency of the school’s physical assets. Additionally, this role supports the coordination of school and community events to ensure that they are facilitated in a professional and effective way. The Facility Manager reports to the School Business Manager.
 

Facilities Management

• Be responsible for the effective financial management of all Opex, Capex budgets for campus maintenance and development within the budget constraints using Airtable. In this regard, the Facility Manager meets regularly with the School Business Manager and Head office based in London to monitor and control spend against budget. 
• To ensure contractor management is aligned with best practice, including ensuring service reviews, tender evaluations and contractor performance reviews are conducted on a regular basis.
• To monitor and liaise with recognized contractors regarding all matters related to the maintenance of the campus.
• To plan and direct contractors to specified work and to monitor their progress and quality of work undertaken, reporting on the standard and completion of all work.
• To liaise with the external cleaning contractor’s supervisor to ensure the premises are prepared and cleaned for daily school use, after school events and all external lettings.
• To ensure there is an effective reactive maintenance procedure in place with technical and non-technical support available to support the educational needs of the school community.
• To ensure there is a planned maintenance schedule in place and that the maintenance is effective, regular and monitored.

Security

• To ensure the school is unlocked and ready for use each day for community use outside school hours, and that areas are secured when not in use.
• To ensure that access to specific areas is available to contractors, outside of normal hours as directed by the Head of School/School Business Manager.
• To have lead responsibility for the security of the premises and to establish with the School Business Manager a protocol to support out of hours contact arrangements including operation of fire and burglar alarms – utilizing the concierge team.
• Operates and manages the school’s CCTV system, preparing digital recordings when needed.
   

Health & Safety

• Conduct a proper and timely assessment of risk to health & safety, implementation of measures and arrangements identified as necessary from assessments. Where appropriate, bring in external experts to advise.
• To ensure the campus satisfies health, safety and welfare requirements e.g. ventilation, temperature, lighting, sanitary, washing, etc.
• To supervise and undertake when required testing, repairs and maintenance of electrical appliances according to level of competence. Compiling and updating database of all tests.
• Responsible for the preparation and presentation of all necessary information/data for Health&Safety (CPPT) meetings (chaired by the Head of School).
• Formulate and maintain an up-to-date library of plans, servicing schedules and other data relating to the campus and its infrastructure.
   

Sustainability

• Willingness to develop the campus in a sustainable manner with a focus on environmentally sound projects and procedures. In concertation with the Leadership team, the Catering team and the school's sustainability group, the Facility Manager will promote and implement effective long term sustainability procedures for the campus. They will also ensure waste and recycling best practice procedures are followed.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• Previous experience with Facility Management/Site/Building environment and project planning. Previous school site experience would be a plus.
• Certified Facilities Manager and BA4/BA5 certificate.
• Demonstrated understanding of technical building and Health&Safety legislation.
• Good level of practical skills which may have been gained from a variety of sources e.g. working in a trade, previous FM experience, etc. and experience of working in a multi-disciplinary role with a range of customers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and French.
• Ability to cope with the physical demands and changing priorities of the post
• Resilient nature and proven ability to work well under pressure
• Commercially aware and results driven
• Demonstrated leadership with strong customer focus
• Ability to lead a small team and allocate work
• Can demonstrate agility and ability to problem solve.
• Flexibility regarding working hours and holidays (for large events, projects)

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.