Cleaning Services Manager

Independents by Sodexo; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Learning and development

Employee benefits

Supportive management team

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a Cleaning Services Manager for Edinburgh Academy to lead the cleaning operation and a team of 20 across two locations. You will own service delivery, performance, budgets and operational standards, ensuring high-quality, compliant service and strong client relationships.

The role focuses on leadership, development of the team, and continuous improvement within a complex service environment. Prior experience in facilities management or similar settings is valued.

Qualifications

• Experience leading cleaning/facilities or service-led operations.
• Proven ability to manage teams and drive service standards.
• Knowledge of health & safety and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 20 across two locations.
• Own cleaning service delivery, standards and performance.
• Manage budgets and operational resources efficiently.
• Build strong relationships with the client and school community.
• Plan staffing and resources to meet operational needs.
• Monitor service quality via audits and feedback.
• Identify improvements to service quality and efficiency.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and ongoing colleague development.
• Ensure health, safety, hygiene, security and Sodexo standards.

Skills

People leadership

Team management

Budget management

Health & safety knowledge

Stakeholder management

Operational excellence

Communication

Job description

Cleaning Services Manager – Edinburgh Academy

Edinburgh | £38,500 - £41,000 per annum | 40 hours per week | Permanent

At Sodexo, we’re looking for an experienced Cleaning Services Manager to lead the cleaning operation at Edinburgh Academy.

Leading a team of 20 colleagues across 2 locations

you’ll have responsibility for people, service performance, budgets and operational standards, giving you genuine ownership of a high-profile cleaning operation.

This is a key operational leadership role where you’ll develop your team, build strong relationships with the client and wider school community, and ensure consistently high standards of service delivery.

We’re looking for someone who combines strong operational management with visible, engaging leadership. You don’t need to come exclusively from a cleaning background. If you’ve successfully led people and service delivery within facilities management, soft services, contract cleaning, housekeeping, hospitality, healthcare or another complex service environment, your experience could be highly relevant.

This is an opportunity to bring your leadership experience to an established organisation, take ownership of your operation and continue developing your career with Sodexo.

What you’ll do

As Cleaning Services Manager for both Edinburgh Senior and Junior Academy, you’ll take responsibility for the effective day-to-day leadership, performance and continuous improvement of the cleaning service across both locations.

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of 20 colleagues, creating a positive culture focused on service, standards and performance.
• Take ownership of cleaning service delivery across 2 locations, ensuring consistently high standards.
• Manage service performance, budgets and operational resources, ensuring they are used effectively.
• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with the client and wider school community.
• Plan staffing and resources effectively to meet operational requirements.
• Monitor service performance through audits, inspections, feedback and agreed standards.
• Identify and implement opportunities to continually improve service quality and operational efficiency.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and ongoing colleague development.
• Manage colleague performance and attendance effectively and consistently.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, hygiene, security and Sodexo requirements.
• Take ownership of service issues and ensure they are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Work collaboratively with the wider Sodexo management team to deliver an excellent overall service.

What you bring

Above all, you’ll be a confident and capable people leader who understands how to translate strong operational standards into consistently excellent service delivery.

• Previous management experience within cleaning, facilities management, soft services, housekeeping or another service-led operation.
• Strong experience of leading, motivating and developing operational teams.
• Experience managing service performance and maintaining consistently high standards.
• The ability to manage budgets and operational resources effectively.
• Strong client and stakeholder management skills.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of how operational decisions affect service performance.
• A sound understanding of health and safety, workplace compliance and risk management.
• Strong planning, organisation and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement.
• Clear and effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to balance people, client, commercial and operational priorities.

Experience within education would be beneficial, but it isn’t essential. We’re interested in the strength of your leadership and transferable operational experience, not simply your current job title.

Experience gained within contract cleaning, facilities management, soft services, hospitality, hotels, healthcare or other complex service environments would all be relevant.

Desirable

It would be advantageous if you also bring:

• Facilities Management or contract management experience
• IOSH, NEBOSH or other FM-related qualifications
• BICSc qualification
• Experience working with audit and compliance systems

What we offer

When you join Sodexo, you’ll become part of a global organisation where you can develop your career while making a visible difference to the people and service you lead.

• £38,500 - £41,000 salary
• Permanent, full-time employment
• The opportunity to lead 20 colleagues across 2 locations
• Genuine responsibility for people, service delivery, budgets and operational standards
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career progression within Sodexo
• Access to Sodexo’s wider employee benefits package
• The support of a wider operational management team
• A role where you can influence standards, develop people and improve service delivery

A role where your leadership makes a difference

What matters most is your ability to lead people, take ownership, build effective client relationships and deliver consistently high operational standards.

Sodexo and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland)

Please note: Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.