Painter and Decorator

Manpower (United Kingdom); Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower Recruitment are working with an established College in Oxford City Centre and looking for an experienced Painter and Decorator. The role is full-time, permanent, with a salary of £38,500 per annum and on-call duties on a rota basis. A full UK driving licence is needed.

Application closing date is 22 November 2026. To provide skilled painting, decorating, and general maintenance services across the College estate, ensuring that buildings, utilities, plant, machinery, furniture, and

Qualifications

• Demonstrable competence in painting, decorating, and surface preparation.
• Experience in general maintenance within a building environment.
• Full UK driving licence.
• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent.
• Ability to work to health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, repair, and decorate internal and external surfaces across College buildings.
• Carry out surface preparation including filling, sanding, priming.
• Apply paint, varnish, and other finishes using appropriate materials and techniques.
• Plan and prioritise painting, decorating, and maintenance tasks with the Maintenance Operations Manager.
• Provide on-site support for College events requiring minor building or decorative changes.
• Ensure all work is completed safely, tidily and in line with standards and legislation.
• Attend training and maintain skills in painting, decorating and statutory compliance.

Skills

Painting and decorating

Maintenance

Record-keeping

Health and safety

Independent working

IT skills

On-call readiness

Education

GCSE Maths and English

City & Guilds NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in trade

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Manpower Recruitment are working with an established College in Oxford City Centre and looking for an experienced Painter and Decorator.

This is a Full Time, permanent role, with a salary offering of £38500pa, with expectations for out of hour on call duties, on a rota basis.

*Please note a Full UK driving licence is needed *Application closing date is 22 nd November 2026

The Role

To provide skilled painting, decorating, and general maintenance services across the College estate, ensuring that buildings, utilities, plant, machinery, furniture, and equipment are maintained safely, efficiently, and to a high standard. The postholder will carry out planned, preventative, and reactive work under the direction of the Maintenance Operations Manager, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records for all maintenance activity and statutory checks.

Key Responsibilities

Painting and Decorating

Prepare, repair, and decorate internal and external surfaces across College buildings, including walls, ceilings, woodwork, and metalwork.

Carry out all necessary surface preparation, including filling, sanding, priming, and other preparatory work, to ensure a high-quality, durable finish.

Apply paint, varnish, and other finishes using appropriate materials, techniques, and equipment.

Assess, plan, and prioritise painting, decorating, and general maintenance tasks in consultation with the Maintenance Operations Manager.

Support the planning, organisation, and set-up of College events requiring minor building or decorative adaptations.

Ensure all work is completed safely, tidily, and in accordance with College standards, health and safety requirements, and relevant legislation.

Provide maintenance support for out-of-hours College events and conferences, as required.

Repairs and Maintenance

Undertake basic adaptation, repair, reactive, planned, and preventative maintenance work on building services, systems, and equipment across the College estate, without constant supervision.

Carry out regular planned preventative maintenance (PPM) inspections, including but not limited to water hygiene, emergency lighting, and fire safety checks.

Complete minor and medium-scale repairs to furniture, fittings, doors, windows, and other non-structural elements.

Work closely with Maintenance and Housekeeping colleagues to ensure bedrooms, public areas, and College facilities are maintained to the required standard.

Manage own workload effectively to ensure allocated maintenance requests, PPM checks, and painting/decorating tasks are completed within Maintenance Department service levels.

Provide on-site support for out-of-hours College events during both term time and the summer conference season.

General Duties

Present a friendly, approachable, and professional manner at all times, acting as a positive ambassador for the College Maintenance Department.

Maintain workshops, stores, and equipment, including supporting the control of materials, tools, and stock inventory.

Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, procedures, risk assessments, and method statements; report unsafe practices, installations, or equipment promptly.

Complete all required documentation accurately and promptly, including work requests, PPM records, stores requisitions, allocation of hours, and statutory documentation.

Participate in the Maintenance Department on-call rota and provide out-of-hours support as required.

Attend training and development activities to maintain and develop skills in painting, decorating, general maintenance, and statutory compliance.

Undertake other duties appropriate to the level of the post, supporting a collaborative, "one team" approach across the College.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable technical competence in painting and decorating, including surface preparation, repair, and finishing.
• Working knowledge of general building maintenance and building services activities.
• Ability to respond promptly and effectively to urgent or emergency maintenance tasks.
• Methodical, organised, and tidy approach to work.
• Strong customer service skills and a professional, helpful manner.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative, and manage a varied workload under pressure.
• Willingness to be flexible and learn new skills.
• Good IT skills, including the ability to use computers and tablets for record-keeping.
• Sound understanding of health and safety legislation and safe working practices.
• Ability to undertake manual handling, including lifting boxes, equipment, and materials.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Formal trade qualification in painting and decorating or a related building trade.
• Experience of reactive and planned maintenance within a generalist or higher-education environment.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary maintenance team.

Qualifications

• Required GCSE Maths and English, or equivalent qualifications.
• City & Guilds or NVQ Level 3 in an appropriate trade, a recognised apprenticeship in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent qualification.
• Alternatively, demonstrable practical experience in painting, decorating, and general building maintenance.
• Full UK driving licence.