Director of Maintenance

Nua Healthcare Services; Naas; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Pension

Specified Illness Cover

Comprehensive Induction Process

Continuous Professional Development

Life Assurance/Death-in-Service

Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave

Education Assistance

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Bike to Work Scheme

Discounts with Retailers – Nationwide

Job summary

Nua Healthcare Services in Naas, Ireland seeks an experienced Director of Maintenance to lead the Facilities and Maintenance function across the organisation. You will drive strategic oversight ensuring compliant, safe and cost-effective maintenance across the property portfolio.

The role requires strong leadership, governance and people management, with responsibility for setting priorities, budgets and performance standards for Maintenance teams nationwide.

Qualifications

• Senior facilities or maintenance management experience.
• Proven leadership of multi-site maintenance teams.
• Strong governance, risk and regulatory compliance oversight.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Maintenance Department across multiple sites.
• Lead Area Maintenance Managers and maintenance teams to deliver high-quality service.
• Develop and implement maintenance strategy, standards and budgets.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Level 8 qualification in a relevant discipline

Postgraduate qualification advantageous

Tools

CAFM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Naas, County Kildare, Ireland Salary: As per Company scale

Job Summary

Nua Healthcare Services (Nua) is one of Ireland's leading Private Healthcare Providers, specialising in Residential, Mental Health and Supported Living Services for both Children and Adults with a range of complex support needs.

We are currently seeking applications from an experienced Director of Maintenance to join the expanding Facilities and Maintenance team within Nua Healthcare. The Director of Maintenance will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the organisation's maintenance and facilities function, ensuring that all Nua Healthcare properties and facilities are maintained to the highest standards and in line with health, safety, regulatory and operational requirements.

Benefits of joining Nua Healthcare!

• Company Pension
• Specified Illness Cover
• Comprehensive Induction Process
• Continuous Professional Development
• Fantastic Development & Career Opportunities
• Life Assurance/Death-in-Service
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Education Assistance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Bike to Work SchemeRefer/Retain a Friend Bonus
• Discounts with Retailers – Nationwide

Job Objectives

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Building & Planning, the Director of Maintenance is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership, governance and overall performance of the Maintenance Department across Nua Healthcare.

The role has overall responsibility for ensuring that Nua Healthcare’s property portfolio is maintained in a safe, compliant, efficient and cost-effective manner and that the Maintenance Department provides a consistent, responsive and high-quality service to Operations across all areas.

The Director of Maintenance will lead and manage the Area Maintenance Managers and provide overall direction to the wider Maintenance Department, including Maintenance Technicians, specialist Tradespeople and Maintenance Administrators.

In addition to the overall departmental leadership responsibilities, the Director of Maintenance will also have direct responsibility for the management and delivery of maintenance services within one assigned geographical area, fulfilling the operational responsibilities of an Area Maintenance Manager for that area.

The Director of Maintenance will work closely with the Head of Building & Planning to develop and implement the organisation’s maintenance strategy, standards, budgets and priorities, and will be responsible for translating these into effective day-to-day maintenance operations across the organisation.

The role requires a strong combination of strategic leadership, people management, interpersonal and communication skills, sound judgement and practical maintenance management experience. The Director will be expected to lead by example, develop and support the Maintenance management team and promote a positive, accountable and collaborative culture across the department.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Maintenance Department.
• Develop and implement the organisation’s maintenance strategy, standards, procedures and operating model.
• Establish clear organisational standards for planned, reactive and compliance-related maintenance.
• Ensure consistency of maintenance delivery across all areas.
• Establish appropriate governance, reporting, escalation and accountability arrangements across the department.
• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, quality and effectiveness of maintenance services.
• Drive continuous improvement across the Maintenance Department.
• Ensure Maintenance resources are aligned with the operational requirements and priorities of the organisation.
• Balance strategic departmental responsibilities with the effective operational management of the assigned Maintenance area.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, manage, support and develop the Area Maintenance Managers.
• Directly lead and manage the Maintenance team within the Director’s assigned area, including Technicians and Maintenance Administrator(s).
• Establish clear objectives, responsibilities and performance expectations for the Maintenance management team.
• Provide clear direction, constructive feedback and appropriate support to managers and team members.
• Manage performance and ensure regular performance and development reviews are undertaken across the department.
• Identify management and team competency, training and development requirements and support appropriate development.
• Build a culture of respect, accountability, collaboration, open communication and continuous improvement.
• Support managers in addressing performance, conduct and behavioural concerns appropriately and consistently.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage challenging and sensitive conversations professionally and constructively.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, skills and competencies are maintained across all areas.
• Support recruitment, retention, succession planning and professional development within the department.
• Ensure effective allocation of resources between areas where operational priorities require additional support.
• Lead by example and demonstrate the professional standards and behaviours expected across the Maintenance Department.

Maintenance Operations

• Maintain overall oversight of planned preventative, reactive and compliance-related maintenance across the organisation.
• Take direct operational responsibility for planned, reactive and compliance-related maintenance within the assigned area.
• Ensure an appropriate balance between planned and reactive maintenance.
• Drive the transition towards a preventative maintenance model and reduce avoidable reactive maintenance.
• Ensure appropriate prioritisation of maintenance requests based on risk, operational requirements and service-user needs.
• Monitor maintenance backlogs and ensure appropriate actions are taken where performance falls below agreed standards.
• Ensure effective utilisation of Maintenance Technicians and specialist Tradespeople.
• Ensure resources can be deployed across area boundaries where required to respond to organisational priorities.
• Establish appropriate escalation arrangements for significant maintenance issues and emergencies.
• Participate in and provide senior management support to the Maintenance on-call arrangements as required.

Property Condition & Asset Management

• Develop a structured approach to monitoring the condition of Nua Healthcare’s property portfolio.
• Ensure appropriate property inspections and condition assessments are undertaken.
• Identify recurring defects, areas of deterioration and emerging maintenance risks.
• Develop short-, medium- and long-term maintenance programmes based on property condition, operational requirements and risk.
• Support the development of lifecycle replacement programmes for building elements, equipment and systems.
• Provide maintenance input into organisational property and capital planning.

Compliance & Risk

• Maintain senior oversight of maintenance-related statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place for statutory inspections, certification, servicing and maintenance.
• Ensure maintenance activities support compliance with relevant Building Regulations, Fire Safety, Health & Safety and other statutory requirements.
• Ensure maintenance-related risks are identified, recorded, prioritised and appropriately managed.
• Ensure appropriate escalation of significant property, compliance and operational risks to senior management.
• Support regulatory inspections and responses where maintenance or property-related matters are identified.
• Ensure appropriate records and evidence of maintenance and compliance activities are maintained.
• Maintain direct oversight of compliance and maintenance-related risks within the Director’s assigned area, in addition to providing senior oversight across the wider portfolio.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage the overall Maintenance Department budget.
• Monitor expenditure against budget and identify emerging financial pressures.
• Develop annual maintenance budgets and forecasts in conjunction with Finance.
• Ensure effective financial controls and delegated approval arrangements are maintained.
• Drive value for money across labour, materials, contractors and suppliers.
• Monitor expenditure trends and identify opportunities for efficiencies and cost reduction without compromising safety, compliance or service quality.
• Support long-term financial planning for planned maintenance and asset replacement.
• Manage maintenance expenditure and budget performance within the assigned area while maintaining overall responsibility for the Maintenance Department budget.

Contractor & Procurement Management

• Establish the overall strategy for the use of in-house resources versus external contractors.
• Reduce unnecessary reliance on external contractors by maximising appropriate in-house capability.
• Ensure specialist contractors are used where qualifications, certification, expertise or capacity require external support.
• Establish consistent standards for contractor procurement, appointment, management and performance monitoring.
• Ensure appropriate procurement processes are followed.
• Monitor contractor expenditure, quality, responsiveness and value for money.
• Develop and maintain an appropriate network of reliable contractors and suppliers nationally.
• Directly manage contractor requirements and performance within the assigned area, while maintaining overall departmental standards for contractor procurement, management, quality and value for money.

Systems, Data & Performance

• Ensure effective use of the maintenance management/CAFM system across the organisation.
• Establish meaningful departmental KPIs and performance measures.
• Monitor planned and reactive maintenance performance, response times, completion rates, ageing jobs, compliance, expenditure and contractor performance.
• Use maintenance data to identify trends, recurring problems and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure accurate and consistent recording of maintenance activities across all areas.
• Provide regular management reports and assurance to senior management.

Cross-Departmental Working

• Act as the senior Maintenance representative in discussions with Operations and other departments.
• Build and maintain positive, professional and collaborative working relationships with Operations, Building & Planning and other Nua departments.
• Work closely with Building & Planning to ensure clear allocation and coordination of maintenance, refurbishment and capital works.
• Liaise with Operations to understand operational priorities and ensure maintenance activities minimise disruption to services.
• Communicate priorities, constraints, risks and anticipated timescales clearly and manage expectations professionally.
• Work with Finance and Procurement to ensure appropriate budgetary and procurement controls.
• Work with Health & Safety and other relevant functions to ensure maintenance-related risks are appropriately managed.
• Provide practical and technical advice to senior management on maintenance, property condition and resource requirements.
• Represent Nua professionally when dealing with contractors, consultants, suppliers and other external parties.

Health & Safety

• Provide leadership in developing and maintaining a strong Health & Safety culture within the Maintenance Department.
• Ensure appropriate systems of work, risk assessments, RAMS and permits are implemented where required.
• Ensure Maintenance personnel have appropriate training, competencies, qualifications, equipment and PPE.
• Ensure maintenance-related incidents, accidents and near misses are appropriately investigated and corrective actions implemented.
• Ensure tools, equipment, vehicles and maintenance facilities are appropriately managed and maintained.

Skills Requirement

Essential Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ senior experience within facilities, property, engineering, construction or maintenance management.
• Significant experience leading a large multi-disciplinary maintenance or facilities function.
• Proven experience leading managers and directly managing operational Maintenance teams.
• Strong demonstrated people-management capability, including performance management, staff development, delegation and managing challenging people situations.
• Proven experience managing geographically dispersed teams.
• Proven experience managing a large multi-site property portfolio.
• Extensive experience of planned preventative and reactive maintenance operations.
• Strong experience in property compliance, contractor management and procurement.
• Significant budgetary and financial management experience.
• Experience developing maintenance strategies, policies, procedures and performance systems.
• Experience implementing and managing CAFM or Maintenance Management Systems.
• Experience working collaboratively with Operations, senior management and other organisational functions.
• Experience within healthcare, residential, hospitality, education or another complex multi-site operational environment.

Demonstrated Track Record

Candidates Must Demonstrate Evidence Of Successfully

• Leading and transforming a multi-site Maintenance or Facilities function.
• Leading, motivating and developing managers and operational teams.
• Managing performance and creating accountability at both management and team level.
• Building strong working relationships with operational and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Handling challenging situations and difficult conversations effectively.
• Improving maintenance performance and service delivery.
• Developing effective planned preventative maintenance programmes.
• Reducing reactive maintenance demand and maintenance backlogs.
• Improving utilisation and productivity of in-house resources.
• Managing significant Maintenance budgets.
• Delivering measurable cost efficiencies and value for money.
• Managing contractor performance and reducing unnecessary external expenditure.
• Managing property, compliance and operational risks.
• Developing and implementing performance measures and KPIs.
• Delivering organisational change and continuous improvement.
• Successfully balancing strategic leadership responsibilities with hands‑on operational management.

Qualifications

A Level 8 qualification in a relevant discipline such as:

• Facilities Management
• Building Surveying
• Construction Management
• Building Services Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Engineering
• Property or Asset Management

or

A recognised trade qualification combined with significant senior facilities or maintenance management experience.

A relevant postgraduate qualification or professional membership would be advantageous.

Essential Skills

• Strong leadership and people‑management capability.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop both managers and operational teams.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑management skills.
• Performance management and staff development.
• Ability to manage challenging and sensitive conversations constructively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic thinking combined with a practical understanding of Maintenance operations.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with direct operational responsibility.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent planning, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Strong knowledge of property maintenance and building services.
• Good understanding of statutory compliance and property‑related risk.
• Strong contractor and procurement management capability.
• Ability to analyse operational and financial information and make evidence‑based decisions.
• Strong problem‑solving, judgement and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to challenge existing practices and implement improvements.
• Ability to communicate effectively with operational teams, technical personnel and senior management.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and Maintenance Management/CAFM systems.

Personal Attributes

• Strong and credible leader.
• Practical, decisive and solution‑focused.
• Commercially aware and cost‑conscious.
• Highly organised and accountable.
• Comfortable challenging established practices where improvement is required.
• Able to balance operational urgency with longer‑term strategic priorities.
• Collaborative and able to build strong relationships across different departments.
• Focused on quality, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, geographically dispersed organisation.
• Approachable, fair and able to build trust and credibility with people at all levels.
• Able to adapt communication and management style appropriately to different people and situations.
• Comfortable providing clear direction, constructive feedback and addressing difficult issues when required.
• Able to move effectively between strategic leadership and the practical day‑to‑day management of an assigned area.