Maintenance Operative

Unite Group; Oxford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

25 days leave

Pension 4–11%

Life assurance

Share save scheme

Enhanced Family Leave

Medicash

EAP

Volunteering day

Discounts

Job summary

Unite Group is hiring a Maintenance Operative for Unite Students and Hello Student brands in Oxford. You’ll perform hands-on maintenance, support inspections and respond to day-to-day issues to keep buildings safe and welcoming for residents.

This role suits practical problem-solvers who enjoy teamwork and can work independently, with responsibilities spanning repairs, safety checks and resident support across communal areas.

Qualifications

• Experience in a maintenance, facilities or property maintenance role, or similar hands-on environment.
• Ability to carry out general repairs and maintenance tasks.
• Basic understanding of health and safety procedures and safe working practices.
• Practical and solutions-focused with good problem-solving abilities.
• Enjoy working as part of a team but able to work independently.
• Good communication skills with a customer-focused approach.
• Experience with building systems (plumbing, electrical, carpentry or general repairs) would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Carry out hands-on reactive maintenance tasks, resolving issues efficiently and to a high standard.
• Support planned maintenance and inspections, helping ensure buildings remain safe and operational.
• Maintain high property standards, completing low-level repairs and general upkeep across communal areas.
• Support health and safety compliance, following safe working practices at all times.
• Respond to maintenance requests and resident queries, ensuring issues are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Identify and report maintenance, safety or operational issues, ensuring they are logged and tracked appropriately.
• Support emergency response, acting as a first-line responder when required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, providing operational support across the property.

Skills

Maintenance experience

General repairs

Health and safety

Problem solving

Team player

Communication skills

Customer-focused

Independent worker

Job description

Fix the things that matter. Support the team. Help residents feel at home.

At Unite Group, we create Homes for Success through our student accommodation brands, Unite Students and Hello Student. This opportunity is with our Unite Students OR Hello Student brand.

Maintenance Operative

As a Maintenance Operative, you will play a key role in keeping our student accommodation properties safe, well maintained and running smoothly.

Working as part of the property team, you'll carry out hands-on maintenance tasks, support planned inspections and respond to day-to-day maintenance issues. Your work will directly contribute to maintaining high standards across the building and creating a safe, comfortable environment for residents.

This is a practical and varied role where no two days are the same - ideal for someone who enjoys problem-solving, working with their hands and being part of a supportive team.

Your impact

Whilst no two days are the same at Unite Group, here's a flavour of what you'll be responsible for in this role:

• Carry out hands-on reactive maintenance tasks, resolving issues efficiently and to a high standard
• Support planned maintenance and inspections, helping ensure buildings remain safe and operational
• Maintain high property standards, completing low-level repairs and general upkeep across communal areas
• Support health and safety compliance, following safe working practices at all times
• Respond to maintenance requests and resident queries, ensuring issues are resolved promptly and professionally
• Identify and report maintenance, safety or operational issues, ensuring they are logged and tracked appropriately
• Support emergency response, acting as a first-line responder when required
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, providing operational support across the property

Your background

You don't need to follow a traditional path - what matters most is your practical skills, proactive mindset and willingness to learn.

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Have experience in a maintenance, facilities or property maintenance role, or similar hands-on environment.
• Be confident carrying out general repairs and maintenance tasks.
• Have a basic understanding of health and safety procedures and safe working practices.
• Be practical and solutions-focused with good problem-solving skills.
• Enjoy working as part of a team while also being comfortable working independently.
• Have good communication skills and a customer-focused approach.
• Experience with building systems such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry or general repairs would be beneficial.

Why it's great to work with US!

In this values-led organisation, you'll do work that makes a difference, helping to shape welcoming, vibrant communities where students can thrive. Whether this is your first step or your next one, we'll help you build skills, confidence and a career you're proud of.

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer:

• A performance-related bonus paid twice a year
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 5 extra days
• A generous pension scheme where contributions range between 4% and 11% depending on how much you save
• Life assurance worth 4 times your salary
• Share save scheme giving you access to purchase Unite Group shares at a discounted rate
• Enhanced Family Leave policies
• Medicash (Health Cash Plan)
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• One free volunteering day each year
• Retail and hospitality discounts

Alongside these benefits, you'll also have access to learning and development programmes designed to support your growth and career progression.

If you're expecting ordinary, think again. We're US, we're different - and we're proud of it.

• Maintenance Operative - JD.docx