Deputy Cleaning Operations Manager

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Torquay; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional NHS provider is seeking a Deputy Cleaning Operations Manager in Torquay to oversee cleaning services and manage staff. The role involves planning improvements and maintaining compliance with NHS standards. Ideal candidates should have recognized management qualifications and knowledge of NHS cleaning processes. This is a vital position for ensuring a safe environment for patients and staff.

Qualifications

• Experience in NHS facilities services.
• Knowledge of NHS Cleaning processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster team development.

Responsibilities

• Support the highest standard of cleaning services.
• Implement service improvements in cleaning standards.
• Ensure effective communication with cleaning and operational teams.

Skills

Management skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Management skills

Education

Nationally recognised management qualification up to NVQ level 3 or relevant experience

NVQ level 4 Facilities Management or equivalent experience

Job description

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Cleaning Operations Manager

The closing date is 06 November 2025

Reporting to our Cleaning Operations Manager, this is 1 of 3 posts providing service cover from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours, 7 days a week.

Our Deputy Cleaning Managers support the day‑to‑day management of c125 WTE Healthcare Cleaning staff and are key posts which are vital to maintaining our Trust’s Cleaning and Infection Control policies, ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Key communication and working relationships with Cleaning Operations teams, Workplace Divisional Teams, Staff side Partners, System teams, Site Operations team, Infection Control team, Clinical teams, Clinical Service Leads, Training and Education teams, Trust staff, External Workplace Contractors, members of the public.

Main duties of the job

• Support the delivery of the highest standard of cleaning services to patients, staff and visitors.
• Play a key role in planning and implementing service improvements to ensure high quality cleaning services are delivered to the NHS, National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness and to our Trust’s Cleaning and Infection Control policies.
• Put in place processes for ensuring that our Trust maintains agreed cleaning standards through the development of a skilled team of team leaders and staff to maintain these standards and improve the patient’s experience.

About us

As an integrated care organisation, our Trust’s purpose is to provide safe, high‑quality health and social care at the right time, in the right place to support the people of Torbay and South Devon so they can live their lives to the full.

The Workplace Teams underpin the provision of clinical services, employing approximately 600 staff and delivering support services across all sites within our Trust.

We need all Workplace staff to own and live our organisational values and we not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust’s and the Workplace Teams core values:

• Working together for people
• Commitment to quality care
• Compassion
• Improving lives
• Respect and dignity

Job responsibilities

Ensure feedback from operational staff, patients and the public in the planning and delivery of cleaning services across our Trust. Work with the cleaning services team and communications staff to ensure an appropriate and proactive communication around cleaning services. Work closely with and develop excellent relationships with the infection control team, operations teams, and key managers to agree required changes in service delivery and how they will be achieved and measured, ensuring maximum clinical ownership. Represent our Trust in communication with external agencies in day‑to‑day written, electronic and telephone contacts, always behaving in an acceptable and professional manner. Identify and refer key cleaning services issues, particularly safety and compliance concerns and those with political sensitivities, to our Cleaning Operations Manager and our Senior Facilities Operations Manager (e.g. cleaning service complaints). Key communication and working relationships with Cleaning Operations teams and a wide variety of stakeholders. Work with members of our Trust and key stakeholders to develop and maintain a positive reputation for efficiency and operational responsiveness. Take responsibility for your own continuous professional development, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training. Provide a strong contribution towards the leadership of our Workplace division, supporting the leadership team in ensuring that all services are 24/7, patient focussed, high in quality and effective, optimising utilisation of human, financial and other resources. Be an effective member of the Workplace divisional team and role model for other members of the team promoting a can‑do attitude through a style of behaviour that is inclusive, open and participative. Encourage innovation, flexible working, and staff involvement, through regular and effective communication, supporting monthly team briefing and liaison and building of relationships with staff at all levels. Ensure that the contributions of all the team are valued and that all staff have equal opportunities for personal development, enhancing their contribution to Trust objectives. Communicate effectively implemented changes within the Cleaning Operations department that may impact the service delivery in other areas/departments e.g. Clinical teams/departments. Requires emotional intelligence when supporting staff with attendance, disciplinary matters and ongoing development, ensuring empathy, reassurance and encouragement.

Person Specification

Q

• Nationally recognised management qualification up to NVQ level 3 or relevant experience
• NVQ level 4 Facilities Management or equivalent experience

E

• Knowledge of NHS Cleaning processes
• Demonstrable proficiency of Microsoft Office
• Experience with: (ERIC), (PLACE), (CQC)
• Experience working in NHS facilities services

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust