Maintenance Operative

Downing; Manchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Downing is seeking a Maintenance Operative for Square Gardens in Manchester City Centre. You will deliver proactive and reactive repair and maintenance services to ensure faults are resolved swiftly and residents experience high standards of upkeep.

Role requires hands‑on skills in plumbing, joinery, electricals, painting, and safe operation of safety systems. You’ll support health and safety compliance and coordinate with the management team on future works.

Qualifications

• Experience in domestic electrical/plumbing/general maintenance is advantageous.
• Relevant qualification in plumbing, joinery or electrical systems is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Undertake repair and maintenance tasks to a high quality including plumbing, joinery, electricals, painting and decorating and supervise any subcontracted aspects.
• Carry out and close reactive maintenance jobs in a timely manner and to a consistently high standard.
• Ensure all residents enjoy a high level of maintenance and cleanliness.
• Understand and respond to health and safety matters in a timely manner.
• Administer all maintenance and health and safety records.
• Carry out PPM checks (e.g. emergency lighting, fire alarm).
• Assist with visual daily health and safety checks.
• Support and complete risk assessment monitoring.
• Escalate all Heath, Safety, Welfare and Security issues to the Line Manager.
• Carry out redecoration and repairs within apartments and communal areas.
• Identify and communicate any potential areas for future works.
• Complete all paperwork and procedures in line with company policy.
• Escort contractors whilst working on site.
• Conduct building audits including health & safety and compliance.
• Assist with periodic and tenancy end inspections and associated maintenance tasks.
• Preparing apartments for occupation.
• Support with CapEx improvement works/schedules.
• Respond to emergencies or urgent issues and participate in maintenance call‑out procedure.
• Manage and meet agreed KPI’s as set by the line manager.
• Work with the Management team to prepare amenity spaces for events.

Skills

Maintenance

H&S knowledge

Problem solving

Team player

Communication

Education

Plumbing qualification

Joinery qualification

Electrical systems qualification

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Maintenance Operative to join our team at our flagship accommodation - Square Gardens in Manchester City Centre. As a Maintenance Operative, you will be responsible for delivering the best experience to our customers by providing a pro‑active and responsive repair and maintenance service, ensuring that faults and maintenance requests within the accommodation are dealt with in a timely manner.

Square Gardens by Downing Living is centred around green and open landscaped spaces. Fundamental to our brand is delivering a sustainable place to live and gather with exclusive shared resident amenities and services. Downing are a family‑owned, award‑winning, leading developer, owner, and operator of bespoke, luxury student accommodation, residential and commercial properties across the UK. Operational for over 35 years, we deliver best‑in‑class developments, with over £2bn of developments successfully completed to date, and a further £1.6bn in the pipeline.

Role Responsibilities

• Undertake repair and maintenance tasks to a high-quality including plumbing, joinery, electricals, painting and decorating and supervise any of these aspects that are subcontracted.
• Carry out and close reactive maintenance jobs in a timely manner and to a consistently high standard.
• Ensure all residents enjoy a high level of maintenance and cleanliness.
• Understand and respond to health and safety matters in a timely manner.
• Administer all maintenance and health and safety records.
• Carry out PPM checks (e.g. emergency lighting, fire alarm).
• Assist with visual daily health and safety checks.
• Support and complete risk assessment monitoring.
• Escalate all Heath, Safety, Welfare and Security issues or concerns to the Line Manager.
• Carry out redecoration and repairs within apartments and communal areas.
• Identify and communicate any potential areas for future works.
• Complete all paperwork and procedures in line with company policy.
• Escort contractors whilst working on site.
• Conduct building audits including health & safety and compliance.
• Assist with periodic and tenancy end inspections and associated maintenance tasks resulting from these.
• Preparing apartments for occupation.
• Support with CapEx improvement works/schedules.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies or urgent issues as they arise and be part of a maintenance call‑out procedure.
• Manage and meet agreed KPI’s as set by the line manager.
• Working closely with the Management team to co-ordinate the preparation of amenity spaces for events.

Attributes & Skills

• Previous experience of domestic electrical/plumbing/general maintenance would be an advantage.
• Hold a relevant qualification in either plumbing, joinery or electrical systems would be an advantageous if at all possible.
• Have a thorough understanding of Health & Safety legislation and the impact of the works being undertaken
• Previous building mobilisation experience would be an advantage.
• Well organised, ability to problem solve, prioritise and work under pressure.
• Understanding the importance of achieving deadlines and ensuring quality output.
• A strong team player supporting all colleagues when required and feel confident to put forward suggestions and ideas.
• Attention to detail and taking ownership of all of core tasks/duties.
• Professional presentation, confident and outgoing in nature.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluent in written and verbal English, culturally aware and able to adapt communication style.

Hours of Work

• Monday to Friday 8am- 5pm or 10am – 7pm on a rota’d shift basis
• We require you to work 1 in 5 Saturday’s 8am to 5pm on a rota’d shift basis, with hours given back in lieu the following week.
• During our summer turnaround period, we may require additional support to cover additional hours.