Maintenance Operative

Deverell Smith Recruitment Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Career development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Deverell Smith Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Maintenance Operative in Cambridge to join a growing Build to Rent community. The role covers planned and reactive maintenance, preparing apartments for new residents, and ensuring statutory compliance while maintaining high communal standards.

You'll work closely with the Facilities Manager and site team, providing a professional, customer-focused service and using CAFM systems to track works.

Qualifications

• Experience as Maintenance Operative, Fabric Technician, Handyperson or Multi-Trader.
• Multi-skilled across painting, plumbing, joinery, plastering or general maintenance.
• Good understanding of planned preventative maintenance and Health & Safety legislation.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Able to work independently and manage workload.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance in line with statutory requirements.
• Perform compliance checks including fire safety, water hygiene, electrical and other building systems.
• Respond to reactive maintenance requests with a focus on first-time fixes.
• Prepare apartments for new residents and assist with make-ready works between tenancies.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and report hazards promptly.
• Deliver a professional, friendly resident experience and clear communication.

Skills

Maintenance

Multi-skilled trades

Communication skills

English proficiency

Independent worker

Job description

Maintenance Operative

Location: Cambridge
Salary: £32,000 + Discretionary Bonus
Hours: Full-time | 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday (with flexibility to support business needs)

The Opportunity

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading Build to Rent (BTR) operator for a Maintenance Operative to join a thriving residential community in Cambridge.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a multi-skilled maintenance professional who enjoys working in a customer-focused environment and takes pride in delivering high standards. You'll play a key role in ensuring residents enjoy a safe, well-maintained and welcoming place to call home.

Working closely with the Facilities Manager and wider site team, you'll be responsible for planned and reactive maintenance, preparing apartments for new residents, supporting statutory compliance and helping maintain exceptional communal spaces.

No two days are the same, making this an ideal role for someone who enjoys variety, problem-solving and providing excellent customer service alongside their technical skills.

Key Responsibilities

Planned & Reactive Maintenance

• Complete planned preventative maintenance (PPM) in line with statutory requirements.

• Carry out compliance checks including fire safety, water hygiene, electrical and other building systems.

• Respond promptly to reactive maintenance requests, aiming for first-time fixes wherever possible.

• Undertake a range of maintenance works including:

  • Painting & decorating

  • Basic plumbing

  • Minor joinery

  • Plastering

  • General building repairs

• Conduct routine inspections of apartments, communal areas and resident amenities, identifying issues before they become problems.

Apartment Turnarounds

• Prepare apartments to an exceptional standard for new residents.

• Complete make-ready works between tenancies within agreed turnaround times.

• Assist with furniture assembly, movement and inventory where required.

Health & Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all maintenance activities are completed safely and in accordance with current legislation.

• Maintain accurate maintenance and compliance records using CAFM/property management systems.

• Support the Facilities Manager with risk assessments, statutory compliance and site inspections.

• Report hazards and ensure remedial works are completed promptly.

Resident Experience

• Deliver a professional, friendly and customer-focused service during every resident interaction.

• Communicate clearly with residents regarding maintenance appointments and ongoing works.

• Take ownership of maintenance issues through to completion, ensuring residents remain informed throughout.

Site Presentation

• Help maintain high presentation standards across all communal areas and resident amenities.

• Support with the setup and maintenance of amenity spaces for resident events.

• Identify and report cleanliness or maintenance issues across the development.

Stock & Contractor Management

• Assist in managing maintenance stock, tools and consumables.

• Accurately record completed works and materials used.

• Build positive working relationships with contractors and suppliers while ensuring work is completed to a high standard.

General Duties

• Provide clear handovers between colleagues where required.

• Support additional maintenance projects across the development.

• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

• Act as a positive ambassador for the development and contribute to creating an outstanding resident experience.

About You

We're looking for someone who is practical, proactive and passionate about delivering exceptional standards.

Essential

• Previous experience as a Maintenance Operative, Fabric Technician, Handyperson or Multi-Trader.

• Multi-skilled experience across several trades, including painting & decorating, plumbing, joinery, plastering or general maintenance.

• Good understanding of planned preventative maintenance and Health & Safety legislation.

• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

• Able to work independently and manage your own workload.

• Strong attention to detail with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Comfortable using maintenance management or CAFM systems.

• Good written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Experience within Build to Rent (BTR), PBSA, residential property, hotels or hospitality.

• Relevant trade qualification (NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent).

• Experience using systems such as Yardi, FixFlo or other CAFM/property management platforms.

What's on Offer

• Salary of £32,000

• Discretionary bonus

• Monday to Friday working pattern

• Opportunity to join a growing Build to Rent operator

• Supportive team environment

• Ongoing training and career development

• The chance to work within one of the UK's fastest-growing residential sectors