Facilities Manager

Retirement Villages

Saffron Walden

On-site

GBP 42,000 - 56,000

Full time

10 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medicash health plan after 3 months

Birthday leave

Pension scheme and life assurance

Discounted gift cards and wellbeingPer

Job summary

Debden Grange Retirement Village in Saffron Walden is seeking a skilled Facilities Manager to oversee buildings, grounds, housekeeping and safety. You’ll lead a small Estates Operatives team, manage external contractors and work closely with the Village Management Team to ensure a welcoming, well‑maintained environment for residents, staff and visitors.

You’ll drive PPM programmes, budgets and compliance with health and safety standards, deliver high service levels, plan rotas and continuous

Qualifications

Level 2+ qualification in Facilities Management or equivalent.
3+ years’ experience managing estates, buildings or residential facilities.
IOSH Managing Safely and Legionella awareness certification.
Knowledge of fire, water and building safety requirements.
Experience managing PPM programmes, budgets and contractors.

Responsibilities

Oversee maintenance of village buildings, grounds, equipment and systems.
Lead Estates Operatives and manage external contractors to high standards.
Plan rotas, meetings and workloads for the village team.
Ensure health and safety compliance and accurate records.
Support preparation of properties for resale or rental; minimise voids.
Collaborate with Village Management Team to ensure smooth operations.

Skills

People management

Health & safety awareness

IT literacy

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Level 2+ Facilities Management qualification

3+ years estates management experience

Tools

Office 365

FM systems

Job description

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.

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

Qualifications

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