Facilities Manager

About the role

Join our dynamic team as a Facilities Manager and become the driving force behind the upkeep and development of our diverse portfolio of Culture, Tourism, and Heritage sites within North Northamptonshire. With a focus on leadership, planning, and coordination, you'll spearhead a comprehensive program of repairs, maintenance, and general upkeep, ensuring our assets, including listed and recently restored buildings, are maintained to the highest standards. Your expertise in health and safety, coupled with your knack for building control, will be instrumental in realising our ambitious vision. Additionally, as part of our collaborative Business Operations team, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping unforgettable visitor experiences while contributing to the commercial success essential for ongoing investment and upkeep.

As a Facilities Manager, based at The Chester House Estate, you'll enjoy a dynamic work environment where no two days are the same. From overseeing building maintenance budgets and managing contractors to leading volunteer efforts and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, your role will be multifaceted and rewarding. You'll also have the opportunity to engage in event setup and safety management, further enhancing the visitor experience while safeguarding our estate's integrity. With a commitment to equal opportunities and a proactive approach to health and safety, you'll lead by example, fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring the well-being of both staff and visitors alike. Join us in this exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on our cultural heritage and community engagement initiatives.

What will you be doing?

In this pivotal role, you'll be the linchpin between strategic vision and day-to-day operations, taking the lead in overseeing building areas and formulating long-term maintenance plans for our multiple sites. The sites include the Chester House Estate (Irchester), The Cornerstone (Kettering), Corby Heritage Centre (Corby) and Discover Northamptonshire (Rushden). Your adept management of facilities and building expenditure budgets, in alignment with procurement protocols, will ensure optimal resource allocation for essential upkeep and development projects. You'll be instrumental in coordinating contractors for maintenance works and overseeing projects, such as snagging and future improvement initiatives, while also managing cleaning and waste management processes to uphold our sites' impeccable standards.

Your responsibilities will extend beyond traditional facilities management, as you'll be at the forefront of engaging and leading our dedicated team of volunteers and estate officers. From conducting safety checks to facilitating repairs and maintenance tasks, your leadership will empower our volunteers to contribute meaningfully to the preservation and presentation of our cultural assets. Additionally, you'll spearhead the implementation of robust reporting processes for building repairs and maintenance, ensuring transparency and accountability across all facets of our operations. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, you'll play a vital role in safeguarding our heritage and fostering memorable experiences for visitors from near and far.

About you

We are seeking an individual with a wealth of experience in the leisure, tourism, and visitor experience sectors, coupled with a proven track record in ground and building maintenance. An ideal candidate would hold certifications in first aid and occupational health and safety, demonstrating a commitment to ensuring the well-being of both staff and visitors. Additionally, candidates with a certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (preferably NEBOSH) would be highly desirable.

The successful candidate will possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, enabling them to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, from elected members to members of the public. They will excel in influencing and advocacy, instilling confidence in team members, senior officers, and stakeholders alike. Moreover, candidates with experience in working with volunteers or community groups, as well as an appreciation for the historic environment, would be considered advantageous. A proactive approach to equal opportunities and a strong commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity will also be essential attributes for the role.

Our benefits

We offer:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.

About us

We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.

Our priorities are:

• helping people live active fulfilled lives
• caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
• enabling a thriving and successful economy
• leading on a green and sustainable environment
• ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
• providing modern public services

Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.

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