Working at Seckford Care is a rich and rewarding experience, with every day being different. We believe in developing our staff and making sure that they have regular training to help them progress in their careers.

If you like working with people and enjoy using your communications skills, we offer a wide range of career opportunities that cover management, administration, caring, activities, maintenance, gardening and house-keeping.

About Seckford Care

Seckford Care is an award-winning, Care Quality Commission ‘Outstanding’ care facility, based in our beautiful Grade II* Listed building, in the heart of Woodbridge.

We provide 30 Extra Care apartments for those who wish to live independently, safe in the knowledge that carers are on-hand 24 hours a day.

We provide 26 Residential Care rooms in Jubilee House for those who would like their own comfortable room, with all their meals, laundry and cleaning provided.

Our dedicated Activities team facilitates a wide range of activities for all residents at Seckford Care.

We also offer the Seckford Club for those who live in the community and would like to meet other people and take part in activities.

The Seckford Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and all applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate checks for the position, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Seckford Foundation
Registered Charity No. 1110964
A Limited Company in England No. 5522615
Registered Office: Marryott House, Burkitt Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 4JJ

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Head of Estates

£52,000 – £58,650, depending on experience.

37.5 hours per week, full-time.

Job Purpose:

We are looking for a Head of Estates to join the Seckford Foundation, working across one of
Suffolk’s most beautiful and diverse portfolios.

Spanning over 60 acres and encompassing Woodbridge Prep and Senior Schools, Seckford Theatre, Seckford Care, which includes a range of historic and modern properties, this is a rare opportunity to be part of shaping the future of a prestigious and community-focused organisation.

You will be at the heart of delivering operational excellence across Maintenance, Grounds and Cleaning teams, ensuring that every site is safe, efficient, and visually outstanding.

This high-impact Leadership role calls for a dynamic, hands-on professional, who thrives in a
fast-paced environment, and is passionate about delivering exceptional service to a wide range
of stakeholders; with a strong emphasis on actively listening to, considering, and implementing perspectives from across the Seckford Foundation to ensure inclusive and effective decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• To oversee the development and delivery of plans for maintenance and development of the School and Care estate, from routine PPM to major renewal projects
• To develop and implement the strategy and programme for capital expenditure on the estate, including the delivery of the strategic 10-Year Plan, and overseeing project delivery within schedule and budget; working with internal and external project managers, professional teams and stakeholders
• To be accountable for the management of estates-related third-party suppliers, including Grounds and Building Services contractors
• To ensure that tender processes adhere to procurement procedures, with clarity of brief and account abilities to ensure that the best-value contracts are achieved
• To set up clear SLAs with all suppliers to ensure that optimum levels of service are achieved
• To pro-actively manage and regularly review performance of all third-party suppliers
• To oversee in-house teams (Maintenance, Caretaking, Grounds and Cleaning) to deliver an effective and efficient service
• To act as ambassador to ensure effective working relationships with key stakeholders on building and maintenance projects at both Care and School sites
• To ensure the application of industry-wide best practice
• To chair regular Estates meetings, to ensure that all areas of the department are joined up and working seamlessly. To troubleshoot and resolve problems as they arise
• To attend Executive and Board/Committee meetings when required, to represent the Estates Department and report on departmental activity
• Working with the Operations and Finance teams, to establish a transparent and auditable system of contracting

This job description is not exhaustive, and it is expected that the post-holder will be flexible in their approach, and undertake any reasonable duties as requested.

This job description is non-contractual, and it will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change.

General Responsibilities:

Health and Safety

You have a legal duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others and you are expected to be familiar with and adhere to Seckford Foundations Health and Safety Policy.

Child Protection/Vulnerable Adults Statement

The Seckford Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You will be expected to support this approach in the context of your role and to adhere to and ensure compliance with our policy at all times.

If, in the course of carrying out your duties, you become aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of vulnerable adults or children, you must report any concerns to the appropriate Safeguarding Lead.

You will also be expected to qualify and maintain an enhanced DBS background check to the Foundation’s requirements before starting work for the School.

Benefits Statement:

Salary	£52,000 – £58,650, depending on experience.
Working Hours	37.5 hours per week, full-time.
Pension	Automatic enrolment into the Foundation/School’s pension scheme (subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria).
Sick Pay	After a successful probation period, full pay for 5 weeks and, half pay for 10 weeks in any rolling 12 months. Entitlement rises incrementally to full pay for 20 weeks and half pay for 20 weeks in any rolling 3-year period during the 4th and subsequent years of service.
School Fees	School fee remission may be available depending on individual circumstances after successful completion of probation period.
Holiday	25 days, plus 8 public holidays paid leave (pro rata for part time posts) included in salary.
Other Benefits	• Free parking • Complimentary lunch is available when the Dining Room is in operation • Access to the Employment Assistance Programme

Information for Applicants: 8th July 2025

Interview Date: 14th July 2025

We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier, if sufficient applications are received.

This role is subject to an appropriate level DBS and recruitment compliance checks.

If you’re ready to make a lasting difference in a role where no two days are the same, we’d
love to hear from you!

To apply for this role, please click on the link and complete the application form: Staff Vacancies | Woodbridge School

A CV and covering letter will not suffice.

To download an application pack, please visit: https://www.seckfordcare.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Job-Pack-Head-of-Estates-June-25-PL.pdf

Please apply, preferably by email, stating ‘Head of Estates‘ in the title line to: recruitment@seckford-foundation.org.uk.

If you are unable to apply by email then please post your application, marking ‘Private and
Confidential’ to the People Team at:

Woodbridge School, Marryott House, Burkitt Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 4JJ

All information will be treated as strictly confidential.

If you have any questions or enquiries regarding the application process, please contact the
People Team on 01394 615170.

All appointments are subject to the usual pre- employment checks to meet vetting and
barring requirements.

Seckford Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people
and adults. All applicants must be willing to undergo screening appropriate to the position, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.