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.