Facilities Manager

We are excited to be recruiting for a skilled and dedicated Facilities Manager to join our team at Debden Grange Retirement Villagein Saffron Walden.

You’ll play a key role in keeping our village safe, well‑maintained and welcoming for our residents, staff and visitors. From our buildings and communal spaces to the grounds, maintenance and housekeeping services, you’ll make sure everything runs smoothly and to a high standard.

This is a hands‑on role where you’ll work closely with the Village Management Team, residents, colleagues and contractors. You’ll lead a small team of Estates Operatives and oversee external contractors, ensuring our facilities are well maintained, compliant and provide a great environment for our residents to enjoy.

• Act as a trusted point of contact for residents, providing a responsive and helpful facilities service
• Welcome new residents and help them understand the facilities and maintenance services available to them
• Build positive relationships with the Residents’ Association and resident committees, listening and responding to feedback
• Identify opportunities to improve the resident experience through additional services and initiatives

• Oversee the maintenance of the village buildings, communal areas, equipment, mechanical and electrical systems and landscaped grounds
• Ensure housekeeping and laundry services are delivered consistently to a high standard
• Manage planned preventative maintenance (PPM), procurement and contractors within agreed budgets
• Ensure safety and communication systems, including emergency call systems and fire alarms, are properly maintained and tested
• Take a hands‑on approach to resolving maintenance and facilities issues around the village

• Ensure the village complies with relevant Health and Safety legislation, including fire, legionella, water and building safety requirements
• Carry out regular audits, inspections and risk assessments, ensuring any actions are followed through
• Act as the village’s health and safety lead, promoting a strong safety culture across the team
• Maintain accurate records and ensure statutory inspections and servicing are completed on time

• Lead, support and develop a team of Estates Operatives
• Manage external contractors and ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required standard
• Plan rotas, team meetings and workloads to ensure the village is adequately supported
• Monitor performance and encourage a positive, collaborative and inclusive team environment
• Support the team to continually improve the way we deliver our services

• Support the preparation and management of the estates and facilities budget
• Monitor costs, procurement and contractor performance to ensure value for money
• Maintain accurate facilities, maintenance and compliance records
• Support the timely preparation of properties for resale or rental, helping to minimise void periods
• Work closely with the wider Village Management Team to ensure the smooth day‑to‑day running of the village

• Level 2 or above qualification in Facilities Management or an equivalent qualification
• 3+ years' experience managing estates, buildings or residential facilities, ideally within an environment such as a retirement village, housing, healthcare, education or hospitality
• IOSH Managing Safely and Legionella awareness certification
• Good practical knowledge of fire, water and building safety requirements
• Experience managing PPM programmes, budgets and external contractors
• Good IT and systems skills, including Office 365 and facilities management systems
• A practical, hands‑on approach…