Job Description

We are excited to be recruiting for a skilled and dedicated Facilities Manager to join our team at Debden Grange Retirement Villagein Saffron Walden.

You’ll play a key role in keeping our village safe, well-maintained and welcoming for our residents, staff and visitors. From our buildings and communal spaces to the grounds, maintenance and housekeeping services, you’ll make sure everything runs smoothly and to a high standard.

This is a hands-on role where you’ll work closely with the Village Management Team, residents, colleagues and contractors. You’ll lead a small team of Estates Operatives and oversee external contractors, ensuring our facilities are well maintained, compliant and provide a great environment for our residents to enjoy.

Key Responsibilities

Customer & Community Focus

• Act as a trusted point of contact for residents, providing a responsive and helpful facilities service
• Welcome new residents and help them understand the facilities and maintenance services available to them
• Build positive relationships with the Residents’ Association and resident committees, listening and responding to feedback
• Identify opportunities to improve the resident experience through additional services and initiatives

Property, Grounds & Housekeeping Management

• Oversee the maintenance of the village buildings, communal areas, equipment, mechanical and electrical systems and landscaped grounds
• Ensure housekeeping and laundry services are delivered consistently to a high standard
• Manage planned preventative maintenance (PPM), procurement and contractors within agreed budgets
• Ensure safety and communication systems, including emergency call systems and fire alarms, are properly maintained and tested
• Take a hands-on approach to resolving maintenance and facilities issues around the village

Health & Safety Compliance

• Ensure the village complies with relevant Health and Safety legislation, including fire, legionella, water and building safety requirements
• Carry out regular audits, inspections and risk assessments, ensuring any actions are followed through
• Act as the village’s health and safety lead, promoting a strong safety culture across the team
• Maintain accurate records and ensure statutory inspections and servicing are completed on time

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, support and develop a team of Estates Operatives
• Manage external contractors and ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required standard
• Plan rotas, team meetings and workloads to ensure the village is adequately supported
• Monitor performance and encourage a positive, collaborative and inclusive team environment
• Support the team to continually improve the way we deliver our services

Operational & Financial Management

• Support the preparation and management of the estates and facilities budget
• Monitor costs, procurement and contractor performance to ensure value for money
• Maintain accurate facilities, maintenance and compliance records
• Support the timely preparation of properties for resale or rental, helping to minimise void periods
• Work closely with the wider Village Management Team to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the village

The ideal candidate

Essential:

• Level 2 or above qualification in Facilities Management or an equivalent qualification
• 3+ years' experience managing estates, buildings or residential facilities, ideally within an environment such as a retirement village, housing, healthcare, education or hospitality
• IOSH Managing Safely and Legionella awareness certification
• Good practical knowledge of fire, water and building safety requirements
• Experience managing PPM programmes, budgets and external contractors
• Good IT and systems skills, including Office 365 and facilities management systems
• A practical, hands-on approach with strong problem-solving skills
• A clear communicator who enjoys working with people and providing a great service

Desirable:

• NEBOSH or Fire Safety Level 2 qualification
• Working knowledge of plumbing, electrical or general building trades
• Experience working within a residential or community environment

Why join us?

• Medicash health plan after 3 months
• Birthday leave
• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Access to discounted gift cards and exclusive wellbeing perks
• A supportive, community-focused working environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression

Our Values

At Retirement Villages, our culture is shaped by the values we live every day:

Age Well | Community | Keep Improving | Invest Wisely | Planet Positive | One Team

Collaboration & Teamwork

If you enjoy being hands-on, solving problems and working with people to create a great place to live, we’d love to hear from you.