Facilities Lead

The purpose of the role

The Facilities Lead role will be responsible for leading a multi-functional team, managing our facilities and transport offer.  This role is responsible for delivering a high quality and continually improving customer service facility which provides a safe environment for our members and customers and an equally high-quality working environment for the staff.

As part of the Operations Department the post holder will share responsibility for creating a highly positive and solution focused working culture reflecting the organisational values, culture, and vision and for leading change and setting the future direction of the Centre.

The post holder will be required to inspire and motivate the facilities and transport team to be a professional and positive influence within the wider Centre staff team.

To be an integral part of the Operations Department and work collaboratively with the relevant Centre leads to ensure high quality provision for our members, other visitors, and customers.

This role requires excellent leadership, which engages, inspires and motivates a facilities team delivering first class provision to our Blind Veterans.

The Facilities Team Lead will need to work collaboratively with other Leads in the Centre and the Facilities Lead in the sister Centre to ensure collaboration, alignment, and joint working. There will also be a requirement to work closely with the head of Health & Safety.  

Main accountabilities

• Responsible for ensuring high quality condition and presentation of the Centre and surrounding grounds ensuring they are maintained to the highest standards, fully accessible and compliant to all relevant legislation.
• Responsible for the operation of a site security and maintenance service 24/7/365, ensuring the fire safety and security of all staff, members, beneficiaries, visitors, and contractors at the Centre is provided in a safe manner.  
• Responsible for managing a devolved budget and ensuring effective use of people and resources.
• Responsible for the thorough cleaning and housekeeping of the Centre and the removal of all waste in accordance with statutory requirements. Ensure that all recyclable waste is disposed of ethically and cost effectively. 
• Responsible for the recruitment, training, and continual development of staff to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to enable them to carry out their duties to the highest possible standards. 
• Responsible for the safe transportation of members and other beneficiaries to and from the Centre through a team Transport Services Drivers and the use of the Charity’s vehicles. 
• Responsible for the management of relevant external contractors, negotiate contract renewals to ensure all work is carried out to agreed specifications and to the highest possible standards. 
• Responsible for compliance with organisational facilities related policies, procedures, and service standards, liaising with Health and Safety and relevant peers at the Charity’s other locations to ensure consistent and high-quality services are provided to members and other beneficiaries. 
• Ensure all facilities related work is performed in a safe manner and that risk assessments, method statements, CoSHH assessments and permits to work are used as required. 
• Act as the responsible and accountable person for the effective management and monitoring of the water system in accordance with the Legionella Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8, so that water supplies are safe. 
• Responsible for ensuring the centre and grounds are managed in line with the requirements outlined within the Visit Britain quality framework.
• Responsible for proactively engaging with volunteers to enhance the member and customer experience and ensure positive social impact.

Other dimensions of role

• Work closely with the Health and Safety Manager to ensure and report on compliance and organisational learning.
• Work closely with the procurement team to ensure best practise and compliance with the organisational procurement policy.
• Attend relevant internal and external training courses, as agreed with your line manager.
• Engage actively with our volunteers as appropriate and within the scope of the post.
• Keep up to date with required safeguarding training and promote a culture in which safeguarding is openly discussed and can be readily reported.
• Undertake any reasonable tasks from time to time at the line manager’s request, as may be deemed appropriate within the scope of the post.
• Ensure that relevant falls audits and other relevant reports are provided for the Responsible Individual and Clinical Governance Meetings.
• Covering shifts where necessary to ensure adequate support is available to members at all time.
• The post is largely self-directed with high levels of operational decision making, supervising and autonomy.
• To be pro-active and work collaboratively with all centre leads to ensure a whole centre approach.

Qualifications, experience and skills 

Essential:

• MBIFM, Managerial qualification or equivalent vocational experience
• City & Guilds Management of Legionella in Building Water Systems (ENWS) (or equivalent) or willingness to undertake training. IOSH/NEBOSH qualification.
• BTEC (Level 4) Advanced Fire Safety Management or equivalent.
• PRINCE2 or equivalent qualification or demonstrable experience
• Experience of managing facilities services
• Experience of liaising with and engaging the services of external contractors
• Proven supervisory or people management experience
• Experience of planning and managing budgets
• Knowledge of local building trades and services
• Knowledge of local authority planning and building regulations
• Able to effectively lead and motivate staff 
• Effective communication skills.
• Being a positive, solution focused team player in supporting the delivery to members directly and indirectly
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to respond to emergencies in a controlled manner 
• Effectively utilise resources, prioritise work to ensure delivery and effectively time manage their own time.
• Computer literate including Microsoft Word, Outlook  

Desirable:

• Knowledge of relevant legislation regarding the removal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste
• Previous experience of working with visually impaired, elderly or disabled people
• Previous experience of CCTV recording and monitoring equipment.
• Basic knowledge of intruder alarm and access control systems.
• Knowledge of the Armed Forces.
• Hold or demonstrate the commitment and ability to work towards a recognised level 5 Leadership and Management qualification within an agreed time scale.

This Job Description is a guide to the work the job holder is required to undertake. It may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of the Contract of Employment.

*Please note that this role is currently based in our Brighton Centre but will be based in our exciting new centre in Rustington (currently planned to be opened later this year). Applicants will need to be able to commute to Rustington once the move has taken place.