Director of Facilities and Estates

The purpose of this role is to:

• Lead the Facilities and Estates Team to ensure a high-quality working environment for learners and staff, providing accommodation and related services that support a superior learning experience.
• Assist the Chief Operating Officer in developing and implementing the organisation's Estates Strategy, which includes designing and maintaining refurbished or new buildings and the facilities within them, to achieve academic and financial goals.
• Support the Chief Operating Officer with capital projects, including applying for and managing capital grants and tracking expenditures.
• Optimise the utilisation of buildings and their systems.
• Ensure the upkeep of buildings and grounds to high standards, providing a safe and enjoyable learning and teaching environment that offers value for money.
• Deliver high-quality in-house and contracted premises-related services.
• Manage contracts related to catering, cleaning, waste management, security, space planning, and space utilisation.
• Oversee the overall quality, safety, and appearance of the facilities at designated sites and serve as the primary point of contact for these matters.
• Implement an appropriate monitoring system and develop, promote, and implement sustainable working practices.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Estates Management:

• Produce, regularly update, and monitor Service Level Agreements for catering, cleaning, landscaping, help desk, security, and waste management.
• Develop and implement strategies for efficient and effective use of resources, staying informed of current best practices in sustainable facilities management.
• Maintain data on room/building utilisation and lead the data collection process.
• Prepare schedules for required accommodation moves and manage these moves, coordinating with IT staff as needed.
• Assist in specifying and procuring furniture and equipment.
• Maintain and update building and estate records, including electronic records.

Management:

• Promote the organisation's ethos and values.
• Manage monitoring and helpdesk software and systems, ensuring the ongoing updating of estates and facilities data.
• Ensure all activities, including contracted services, comply with health and safety requirements and current legislation, maintaining safe systems at all times.
• Oversee the day-to-day performance of outsourced contracts, including service level agreements and budgets.
• Manage the performance, leave, teamwork, and other staffing issues of direct reports, ensuring staff receive appropriate training.
• Manage facilities-related budgets as delegated by the COO.

Facilities and Premises:

• Arrange competitive tendering or obtain necessary quotations for all contract services, in liaison with the COO.
• Implement building improvements or alterations, ensuring compliance with health and safety, insurance, and other statutory obligations.
• Manage projects, exercise contract control and supervision, and arrange for specialist services when necessary.
• Research, develop, promote, and implement sustainable working practices, following up on proposals from stakeholders.
• Monitor sustainability performance.
• Ensure the security of all department-related equipment and consumables.
• Ensure regular servicing of all equipment controlled by the Estates and Facilities Team to ensure correct and safe operation, maintaining records of such activity.
• Manage waste, ensuring recycling and re-use where possible, and the proper disposal and removal of waste from the sites.

Health and Safety:

• Oversee the health and safety manager, ensuring appropriate and informed policies and procedures are in place to maintain a safe and secure working and studying environment.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• An appropriate Facilities-related qualification equivalent to BIFM Part 3 & 4 or HND in a related discipline
• NEBOSH Certificate or other recognised Health and Safety qualifications
• Equality & Diversity Level 2 (or willing to obtain)
• Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Level 2 (or willing to obtain)
• Experience of effectively leading/managing a team, inspiring loyalty and motivating others
• Evidence of successful management in a relevant discipline (Capital projects, Facilities and Estates, Health and Safety)
• Experience in the management of a medium-sized and/or multi-site estate in an educational/public sector or other service sector environment
• Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with a range of both internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of research and preparation of specifications and tenders
• Experience of implementing and managing CAFM and helpdesk software
• Experience of implementing sustainability policies and a commitment to continuous improvement in this area
• Organised, methodical, and accurate to ensure the production of informative reports
• Display initiative, be positive and enthusiastic
• Proven organisational skills combined with the ability to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines
• Experience of budgetary control and adding value
• Understanding of space management and accommodation utilisation

Desirable:

• AutoCAD User qualification
• Practical knowledge of health and safety, including DSE, Manual Handling and Workplace Regulations

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to  keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.