Head of Maintenance & Compliance

Nigel Wright Group; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Leeds Beckett University is seeking a Head of Maintenance & Compliance to shape the next phase of its Estates & Facilities transformation. This newly created role will integrate planned and reactive maintenance into a single, strategically focused function to ensure a safe, compliant and high-performing environment for students, staff and visitors.

You will lead maintenance strategy, lifecycle planning and decarbonisation while managing budgets and external contracts.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience across maintenance, engineering, estates or facilities services.
• Strong knowledge of statutory compliance, maintenance legislation and health and safety.
• Experience managing large budgets, contracts and service delivery functions.
• A track record of leading change, improving performance and developing teams.
• Commercial awareness with a strong value-for-money mindset.
• Experience of asset management, maintenance planning and CAFM systems.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and integrate planned and reactive maintenance services across the estate.
• Develop and deliver the Maintenance Services Strategy aligned to University priorities.
• Ensure statutory, regulatory and maintenance compliance across all buildings and infrastructure.
• Lead maintenance planning, lifecycle investment and decarbonisation initiatives.
• Drive service excellence through robust performance management, KPIs and continuous improvement.
• Manage significant budgets, procurement activity and external contracts.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic advice on refurbishment and capital projects.
• Enhance the use of CAFM and asset management systems to support effective decision-making.
• Develop, motivate and lead high-performing maintenance teams.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability and outstanding customer service.

Skills

Leadership

Maintenance management

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Health & safety

Strategic planning

Tools

CAFM software

Asset management systems

Job description

Leeds Beckett University is investing in the future of its Estates & Facilities function and is seeking an exceptional Head of Maintenance & Compliance to help shape the next phase of its transformation.

Following a significant review of the directorate and the appointment of new leadership, this newly created role will lead the integration of planned and reactive maintenance services into a single, strategically focused function. This is an opportunity to influence the future of a diverse university estate while ensuring a safe, compliant, sustainable and high-performing environment for students, staff and visitors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and integrate planned and reactive maintenance services across the estate.
• Develop and deliver the Maintenance Services Strategy aligned to University priorities.
• Ensure statutory, regulatory and maintenance compliance across all buildings and infrastructure.
• Lead maintenance planning, lifecycle investment and decarbonisation initiatives.
• Drive service excellence through robust performance management, KPIs and continuous improvement.
• Manage significant budgets, procurement activity and external contracts.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic advice on refurbishment and capital projects.
• Enhance the use of CAFM and asset management systems to support effective decision-making.
• Develop, motivate and lead high-performing maintenance teams.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability and outstanding customer service.

What We’re Looking For

We are interested in hearing from strategic maintenance, engineering, estates or facilities leaders with experience operating in large, complex environments.

Candidates may come from Higher Education, NHS, local government, transport, housing, commercial estates or other multi-site organisations where compliance, risk management and stakeholder engagement are critical.

You will bring:

• Significant leadership experience across maintenance, engineering, estates or facilities services.
• Strong knowledge of statutory compliance, maintenance legislation and health and safety.
• Experience managing large budgets, contracts and service delivery functions.
• A track record of leading change, improving performance and developing teams.
• Commercial awareness with a strong value-for-money mindset.
• Experience of asset management, maintenance planning and CAFM systems.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• The ability to operate strategically while maintaining oversight of operational delivery.

Our Values

At Leeds Beckett University, our leadership team is committed to creating an environment where people can thrive. We are looking for a leader who shares our commitment to the University’s values of Inclusive, Teamwork, Integrity, Pragmatism, Ambition and Purposeful.

You will be someone who:

• Builds trusted relationships and works collaboratively across diverse teams.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and personal accountability.
• Creates an inclusive and supportive culture where people can perform at their best.
• Encourages innovation, embraces change and challenges traditional ways of working.
• Places wellbeing, safety and community confidence at the heart of decision-making.
• Leads with authenticity, empathy and a strong focus on delivering positive outcomes for colleagues, students and the wider community.

This is a rare opportunity to join a university investing in its future and creating a new leadership team to drive meaningful change. You will help shape long-term maintenance strategy, support sustainability ambitions and contribute to creating an outstanding environment for students, staff and the wider community.