Reactive Maintenance Manager

UNIVERSITY OF READING; Reading; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university in Reading is seeking a highly motivated manager to lead the in-house electrical maintenance team. This role involves ensuring high-quality maintenance service delivery and compliance with safety regulations while interacting with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in maintenance management, customer service skills, and hold relevant qualifications. Competitive salary package of up to £52k, along with benefits including pension scheme and holiday entitlements.

Benefits

Discounted membership at the SportsPark

Employee Assistance Programme

Health Cash Plan

Generous holiday entitlements

Qualifications

• Experience managing trades on the tools for maintenance.
• Awareness of current statutory requirements in Health & Safety.
• Current full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage the in-house electrical maintenance team.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure work complies with university policies and legislation.

Skills

Customer service skills

Excellent communication skills

Health & Safety management

Experience in maintenance

Education

Relevant qualification in mechanical or electrical discipline (NVQ level 3)

Tools

CAFM software

Job description

Job Details

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Closing Date: 9th January 2026 at 23:59 (GMT)

Role Type: Full time, Permanent

Interview: 21st January 2026

Salary Package in region of £52k based on a basic salary G6 up to £46k plus call out standby on average £4.3k plus potential additional responsibility payments as a University Duty Holder up to £2.5k

Due to the complexity of the Skilled Worker Visa route and eligibility criteria, applicants requiring sponsorship are recommended to check their eligibility on the Home Office website. We cannot provide advice to candidates at the application stage and will only discuss visa routes with candidates who are invited to interview.

Overview

Occupying three beautiful campuses (Whiteknights, with its early 19th century planned landscape, London Road with its formal gardens and ceremonial Great Hall, and Greenlands, Henley-on-Thames, with its riverside garden landscape) the unique "University within a Park" setting of the University of Reading is an inspiring place to come to work.

With such a varied portfolio, there is never a dull day in the Estates Team here at Reading. As well as being responsible for the management and maintenance of the University's academic teaching and research buildings, we also care for a significant collection of Champion Trees, an expansive lake, and the university Sports Park.

Responsibilities

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and flexible manager to manage our Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) in-house electrical maintenance team and liaise with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including, but not limited to, specialist contractors and consultants, other members of the Estates team, and departmental support, teaching and research staff. The post holder must demonstrate a clear track record in the delivery of an effective professional, customer‑focussed, high quality, cost effective and efficient maintenance service using a CAFM system in accordance with agreed Service Level Agreements. The postholder must also ensure that the team carries out all work in a safe manner in accordance with university policies and procedures, safe systems of work, and current legislation.

The post holder will join the formal on‑call duty rota, covering one weekend in every 5/6, for which there is an additional allowance of c£4,300 per annum available. There may also be an opportunity to take on responsibility for a key service area as a University Duty Holder for which there is an additional allowance of c£2,584 pa.

Qualifications

1. Experience in all aspects of planned, preventative and day‑to‑day reactive maintenance issues; managing trades "on the tools"
2. A relevant qualification in a mechanical or electrical related discipline (minimum requirement equivalent to NVQ level 3) and 2391 Inspection and testing
3. Experience of managing and organising Health & Safety for a workforce with an awareness of current statutory requirements including experience of risk assessments.
4. Excellent communication skills, at all levels of an organisation, and experience of effective liaison with customers/stakeholders
5. Demonstrable customer service skills and the understanding of what is required from a customer facing team.
6. Experience of working with CAFM software packages for the delivery of hard/soft FM
7. Current full UK driving licence.

Benefits

The University of Reading aims to create a fair and transparent reward strategy; ensuring staff are paid a competitive salary and are recognised and rewarded for their contribution. Members of staff have the opportunity to join a pension scheme sponsored by the University. The University has a range of family friendly policies, including a childcare voucher scheme to help you save money on childcare costs.

We have a strong commitment to health and well‑being and staff can benefit from discounted membership at the SportsPark, an Employee Assistance Programme and a Health Cash Plan. The University offers generous holiday entitlements which include public holidays and paid closure days.

Contact Details

Contact Name: Guneet Bhatti

Contact Job Title: Interim Head of Reactive Maintenance

Contact Email address: [e-mail]

Alternative Contact Name: Chris Hellier

Alternative Contact Job Title: Head of Programme Maintenance

Alternative Contact Email address: [e-mail]

Diversity Statement

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job‑share, part‑time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.