Domestic Manager

Beaudesert Park School, part of the Rugby School Group, is set in 30 acres on Minchinhampton Common, Gloucestershire. It is one of the country’s leading independent co-educational day & flexi boarding schools for children aged 3 to 13.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, we are seeking a colleague who shares our vision and who will seize an exciting opportunity to lead our Housekeeping, Matron and School Nurse teams, and take the lead on the organisation and smooth delivery of school events.

You will be a self-starter with excellent interpersonal and people management skills. You must be highly organised, IT literate and have a keen eye for detail maintaining a focus on School aesthetics, branding and culture. Experience of managing minor refurbishment projects to a budget and the procurement of supplies and services is essential. Previous independent school experience and experience of managing events would be preferred.

The position is full-time 37.5 hours per week, term-time only plus 6 weeks. Some flexibility will be required for school events which may take place on evenings or weekends.

Working Pattern: circa 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday with half an hour unpaid lunch break. Prepared to be flexible in working hours to meet the needs of the School for which time off can be take in lieu.

Salary: Pro rata of £38,882

Anticipated Start Date: ASAP

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direction and instruction of the Director of Operations, the Domestic Manager is responsible for managing, controlling and monitoring the Catering, Housekeeping, Matrons and Nursing functions to provide an outstanding domestic service.

The post holder will lead logistical organisation and ensure the smooth running of all School events, internal and external, in conjunction with those responsible, and will act as the focal point for any outside lets.

The post holder will also support the Estates Manager with minor refurbishment projects with a focus on School aesthetics, branding and culture.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Domestic services & cleaning

· With the School’s Housekeeping Supervisor ensure a standard of excellence is maintained at all times. Work together to interview and select new staff and ensure induction arrangements are completed. Manage team absence, allocate work to the cleaning staff on a skills/availability best-fit basis and prioritise workload to meet operational needs, monitor staff performance and resolve any issues.

· Carry out appraisals for all housekeeping staff as required identifying any training or resourcing needs.

· Review and, if necessary revise, systems of working and equipment usage to ensure housekeeping operations are delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible.

· Ensure all cleaning and housekeeping activities have a risk assessment completed, machinery is properly serviced and tested, equipment and chemicals are stored safely, and staff are appropriately trained. Carry out regular hazard spotting exercises and take any remedial action.

· Engage and supervise contractors for specialist tasks such as cleaning curtains, windows and carpets. Ensure best value for money at all times.

Catering

· Act as liaison with the School’s contracted Catering Manager and Head Chef to ensure healthy eating and food standards are maintained, the School’s ethos to catering is adhered to, issues are resolved and any new appointments are approved.

· Monitor the quality of food and catering, regularly seeking out and acting promptly on feedback.

· Ensure Catering have full knowledge of children with allergies including children visiting the School

· Meet with the Regional Manager monthly to update on issues and give feedback.

Matrons & nurses

· Act as line manager for the matron team, assisting with staffing rotas, appointments and helping resolve issues. Maintain a close working relationship with the Houseparents in respect of the boarding house.

· Ensure an efficient laundry service is provided for pupils and other School requirements.

· Act as line manager for the School’s nursing team arranging rotas, resolving issues and assisting with appointments.

· Carry out appraisals for all domestic staff as required identifying any training or resourcing needs.

School events and activities

· Organise and ensure smooth running of all events, external and internal, including match teas, parents’ evenings, prize-giving, open mornings, lectures, hospitality, Parents’ Reps meetings and Friends of Beaudesert events. Bridge communications between staff and parents where necessary.

· Proactively liaise with those responsible, including for parent-organised events, to ensure the smooth running of those occasions.

· Actively contribute as required prior to and during School events, functions and activities, including organisation of room set up, catering and cleaning arrangements, liaising with IT over requirements, and locking up.

· Be a visible presence at significant parent events to “host” and become known to the parent community.

· Proactively take part in Calendar Meetings and help avoid clashes, too many events on the same day/week, prioritising events as necessary.

Lettings & events management

· Act as the focal point for outside lets (excluding the School’s pool). Ensure there are no clashes with planned maintenance work or other School events, arrange any assistance needed during the letting period, ensure contracts are issued, and any payment arrangements are met.

· Act as School liaison person during external lettings which may require some flexible working hours particularly during the holidays, including some evenings and weekends.

· Ensure that facilities are cleaned and prepared for holiday lets as required.

Contractors & small projects

· Work with the School’s Estates Manager on small projects advising on purchase of furnishings & fixtures, minor redecoration requirements, lighting, flooring etc to maintain the overall look & feel of the School’s “public” or parent-facing spaces, ensuring the aesthetics and branding reflect the School’s culture and ethos.

· Working with the Estates Manager, take the lead on small projects involving purchase of furnishings & fixtures, or minor redecoration, and see through all stages to completion

· Ensure the Gap/Graduate Resident Assistants’ accommodation receives a refresh and is prepared for new occupants annually

Other

· Liaise with the School’s uniform suppliers, update uniform lists and arrange selling dates at School

· Establish an excellent working relationship with the Director of Operations, Estates Manager and other members of the Estates team, as well as the School staff generally

· Ensure effective verbal and written communication with relevant personnel to keep information flowing in a constructive and cohesive way

· Work to a budget, placing and authorising purchases required.

· Promote and ensure the health and safety of pupils, staff & visitors (in accordance with appropriate health & safety legislation) at all times.

· Attend training courses as necessary and required

· Carry out any other duties that might be considered to be commensurate with the post, as required.

· All staff, contractors, volunteers have a responsibility and duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. Staff must be aware of the systems within the School which support safeguarding and must act in accordance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection policy and Code of Conduct. Staff will receive appropriate child protection training which is regularly updated.

Closing date: 6th November
Applications will be considered upon receipt, and we reserve the right to make an appointment before the closing date. Therefore an early application is strongly advised.

Please Note

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, online searches (including the dark web) and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are key facets of our core ethos that ‘the Whole Person is the Whole point’. Find out more here: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Rugby School

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or age.

We have a team of internal recruiters and advertise our vacancies to attract candidates and not agency suppliers. If we need agency assistance, we will reach out to our trusted partners. Any speculative CVs we receive will not be accepted as an introduction.

Charity Registration Number 528752

Pay: £38,882.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Life insurance
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person