Estates & Facilities Officer

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners (WHC) are seeking an additional member of our Operations and Facilities Management team, which has responsibility for delivering Estates and Facilities Management services across WHC’s properties and land assets, including some tenanted buildings and community spaces.

If you’re interested in managing maintenance schedules and at the same time would love to join a small, local team of dedicated and passionate people working hard to manage and conserve our town’s historic harbour and wider estate, in one of the most amazing locations in the country (in our opinion!) and a positive quality of life… you could be the one we’re looking for.

WHC is a not-for-profit organisation, safely managing and maintaining Whitehaven Harbour and its environs for the benefit of all. We are committed to optimising our commercial revenues in order to continually improve by reinvesting in our assets, ensuring all of those assets are managed and proactively maintained to provide a safe, sustainable and enjoyable environment and experience for all users.

At the heart of the community, we celebrate our 400-year history to drive the future and protect the legacy of this unique local institution.

We are proud of our core values; we will:

• actively listen and put people at the heart of what we do
• treat people fairly and inclusively, embracing equality and diversity
• be honest, open and transparent in our dealings with customers, colleagues and partners
• stand up and take responsibility for our actions
• provide a safe and secure environment for all
• strive for continuous improvement and a better future

WHC comprises a diverse team of 17 employees covering estate and harbour operations, car parking, The Rum Story and a range of administrative support functions. We are also fortunate to be supported by a wide network of retained specialist consultants, trusted contractors, volunteers, secondees and the skills and capabilities of up to eight volunteer Commissioners who provide strategic leadership and support across all our operational areas.

Our sector is niche but our operational delivery is broad, and we recognise it may be difficulty to recruit someone who already ticks all the boxes for preferred knowledge and ability. Where enough essential criteria can be demonstrated, we will take transferable skills into consideration when shortlisting and are committed to supporting personal development to enhance the right individual’s skills to help them deliver the very best.

Many of our existing colleagues joined us from outside the sector and have proven themselves to be strong team players who thrive on variety and challenge, and have a get‑things‑done approach, which is ultimately what we want from every new recruit too – so don’t let a lack of specific industry experience put you off applying!

Reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer & Head of Estates, you will be part of a team responsible for the non‑marine operational management of the WHC portfolio of assets and managing the interface with those undertaking marine obligations on WHC’s behalf.

The estate is made up of a diverse range of facilities, operational premises, historic buildings and areas of high‑profile public realm, mostly around – but not limited to – the harbour environment. Our many assets include the harbour itself which includes The Edge – Cumbria’s Coastal Activities Centre, Gordon Thomson House (aka The Fish Hall!), four surface car parks, a multi‑storey car park, The Rum Story retail offer and heritage attraction in the town centre, and more… all of which underpin Whitehaven’s marine and tourism industries.

• Help establish and manage the delivery of effective maintenance schedules for assets ensuring statutory compliance, a high standard of presentation and reliability of services whilst ensuring a seamless interface with colleagues managing ‘wet’ harbour operations.
• Bring forward recommendations for improvements in standards and efficiency, implementing improvements where appropriate.
• Ensure there are robust arrangements in place to deliver timely and effective responses to corrective…