Soft Services Operations Manager
Edge Hill University
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Job summary
Edge Hill University is seeking an experienced Soft Services Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day delivery of cleaning, portering, waste management and warehouse services across the University. You will oversee staffing resources, service standards and performance, ensuring the team has the training and support needed to succeed.
The role emphasizes health and safety, risk management and compliance across Soft Services, with liaison to Facilities Management and wider University colleagues
Qualifications
- Experience in facilities management or soft services operations preferred.
- Strong leadership and people-management skills.
- Knowledge of health and safety and risk management.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the Soft Services team to deliver cleaning, portering, waste management and warehouse services.
- Manage staffing resources, service standards, performance, budgets and operational planning.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety, COSHH, audits, policies and legislation.
Job description
As Soft Services Operations Manager, you will play a vital leadership role within the Facilities Management team, overseeing the day-to-day delivery of cleaning, portering, waste management and warehouse services across the University.
You will lead and develop the Soft Services team, ensuring services are well organised, customer-focused and aligned with the University’s FM Vision. You will be responsible for managing staffing resources, service standards, performance, budgets and operational planning, ensuring the team has the resources, training and support needed to succeed.
A key part of the role will be ensuring high standards of health and safety, compliance and assurance across Soft Services. This will include overseeing risk assessments, COSHH requirements, contractor and contract management, audits and the implementation of relevant policies, procedures and legislation.
You will also support the effective recruitment, induction, training and development of staff, while working closely with colleagues across Facilities Management and the wider University to ensure a responsive and high-quality service that supports the student and wider Edge Hill community.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operational leader to make a real impact on the campus experience and contribute to the continued development of our Soft Services provision.
The role requires you to work five days out of seven, including weekends where required.
As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.
For informal enquiries about this vacancy, please contact: Jo Swarbrick, Soft Services Manager at Jo.Swarbrick@edgehill.ac.uk
We are looking for an experienced and motivated operational manager who can lead a diverse team and deliver high-quality services within a busy and customer-focused environment.
You will have strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to set clear expectations, manage performance and support colleagues to develop and succeed. You will be confident in organising staffing resources, managing competing priorities and ensuring operational services are delivered effectively.
You will have a good understanding of health and safety, risk management and compliance, with the ability to ensure appropriate standards and procedures are consistently maintained. Experience of managing contractors, budgets, service standards and performance measures would also be highly desirable.
You will be a strong communicator and collaborative team player, able to build positive relationships with colleagues, contractors and customers across the University. Most importantly, you will be committed to delivering excellent customer care and ensuring that Soft Services contribute positively to an outstanding campus experience.
At Edge Hill University we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave per annum, pro rata (inclusive of bank holiday and University closure days)
- Discounted membership to our onsite state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities
- Staff benefits scheme, which provides you with discounts across the high street, supermarket shopping, cinema tickets, dining out and more.
- Employee assistance programme with access to free confidential counselling sessions, legal & financial advice, and health & wellbeing resources
- A wide range of development programmes to enhance your career
- Beautiful award-winning on-campus working environment.
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
At Edge Hill University we believe in the life changing opportunities knowledge can create. Since 1885, we’ve been creating access to knowledge for those who may not have had the opportunity to before.
Today, the effect we have has a far-reaching impact, not just for those who come to study here but for those who work, invest in, and live in our local communities too. So, if you’ve ever wondered if one person can make a difference, simply speak to our alumni, students, and award-winning staff.
Because for us education isn’t about how much you take in. It’s about what you take out into the world.
Inspiring minds and changing futures since 1885, Edge Hill University is “A great success story… an institution that improves and impresses year after year” – Times Higher Education.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
£24,215 to £25,804 per year, pro rata
Edge Hill University
Ormskirk, North West
On-site Permanent Part time
from £24,699 per year
Edge Hill University
Ormskirk, North West
On-site Permanent Full time
£33,997 (pending pay award)
Torus Group
Liverpool
Permanent Full time
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Company: Edge Hill University
Salary: £35,608 to £38,784 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: Ormskirk, L39 4QP
Working pattern: On-site
Job type: Permanent
Posting date: 22 Oct 2026
Closing date: 30 Oct 2026
As Soft Services Operations Manager, you will play a vital leadership role within the Facilities Management team, overseeing the day-to-day delivery of cleaning, portering, waste management and warehouse services across the University.
You will lead and develop the Soft Services team, ensuring services are well organised, customer-focused and aligned with the University’s FM Vision. You will be responsible for managing staffing resources, service standards, performance, budgets and operational planning, ensuring the team has the resources, training and support needed to succeed.
A key part of the role will be ensuring high standards of health and safety, compliance and assurance across Soft Services. This will include overseeing risk assessments, COSHH requirements, contractor and contract management, audits and the implementation of relevant policies, procedures and legislation.
You will also support the effective recruitment, induction, training and development of staff, while working closely with colleagues across Facilities Management and the wider University to ensure a responsive and high-quality service that supports the student and wider Edge Hill community.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operational leader to make a real impact on the campus experience and contribute to the continued development of our Soft Services provision.
The role requires you to work five days out of seven, including weekends where required.
As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.
For informal enquiries about this vacancy, please contact: Jo Swarbrick, Soft Services Manager at Jo.Swarbrick@edgehill.ac.uk
We are looking for an experienced and motivated operational manager who can lead a diverse team and deliver high-quality services within a busy and customer-focused environment.
You will have strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to set clear expectations, manage performance and support colleagues to develop and succeed. You will be confident in organising staffing resources, managing competing priorities and ensuring operational services are delivered effectively.
You will have a good understanding of health and safety, risk management and compliance, with the ability to ensure appropriate standards and procedures are consistently maintained. Experience of managing contractors, budgets, service standards and performance measures would also be highly desirable.
You will be a strong communicator and collaborative team player, able to build positive relationships with colleagues, contractors and customers across the University. Most importantly, you will be committed to delivering excellent customer care and ensuring that Soft Services contribute positively to an outstanding campus experience.
At Edge Hill University we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave per annum, pro rata (inclusive of bank holiday and University closure days)
- Discounted membership to our onsite state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities
- Staff benefits scheme, which provides you with discounts across the high street, supermarket shopping, cinema tickets, dining out and more.
- Employee assistance programme with access to free confidential counselling sessions, legal & financial advice, and health & wellbeing resources
- A wide range of development programmes to enhance your career
- Beautiful award-winning on-campus working environment.
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
At Edge Hill University we believe in the life changing opportunities knowledge can create. Since 1885, we’ve been creating access to knowledge for those who may not have had the opportunity to before.
Today, the effect we have has a far-reaching impact, not just for those who come to study here but for those who work, invest in, and live in our local communities too. So, if you’ve ever wondered if one person can make a difference, simply speak to our alumni, students, and award-winning staff.
Because for us education isn’t about how much you take in. It’s about what you take out into the world.
Inspiring minds and changing futures since 1885, Edge Hill University is “A great success story… an institution that improves and impresses year after year” – Times Higher Education.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
£24,215 to £25,804 per year, pro rata
Edge Hill University
Ormskirk, North West
On-site Permanent Part time
from £24,699 per year
Edge Hill University
Ormskirk, North West
On-site Permanent Full time
£33,997 (pending pay award)
Torus Group
Liverpool
Permanent Full time
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