Head of Maintenance

The University of Nottingham is a highly prestigious, research-intensive university, with additional campuses in China and Malaysia. Established in 1881, it is a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities, known for high academic standards and impactful research.

The University of Nottingham is highly regarded for its research output, consistently ranking among the top UK universities in national and international league tables. It is a global institution, welcoming students from over 150 countries, and maintains strong industry ties, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

With a focus on sustainability and student experience, the university boasts modern facilities, beautiful campuses, and a vibrant community supported by various extracurricular activities, sports, and societies.

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The Head of Maintenance will be responsible for the effective delivery of all planned and reactive maintenance and services across the university estate. This includes leading a 60 strong internal Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) and managing a large and diverse external contractor supply chain with an annual spend in excess of £8m.

The Head of Maintenance will ensure that all maintenance services are delivered in a safe, compliant and efficient manner against a suite of robust Service Level Agreements and KPIs aligned to the needs of our diverse range of stakeholders.

The role will provide leadership and line management to the internal DLO and will work with the Director of Asset Management and the Director of Estates Operations to develop and implement robust maintenance strategies and delivery models tailored to the needs of the university and its diverse estate.

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The Head of Maintenance will focus on creating effective maintenance plans in collaboration with the Director of Estates Operations and the Associate Director of Asset Management. This involves a balance between in-house and external services, with an emphasis on implementing a proactive Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) approach to minimize downtime and reduce costs. In addition regular reviews and proposals for workforce adjustments will be required to support the growing estate.

Building a high-performing Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) team by setting objectives, conducting appraisals, and ensuring staff welfare will be paramount. This will involve recruitment, training, performance monitoring, and maintaining adherence to HR policies, as well as effective communication with stakeholders, including Trade Unions to ensure smooth operations and compliance with university standards.

This includes managing the supply chain of contractors and ensuring they meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This requires monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with university induction processes, and addressing any discrepancies in service delivery.

Overseeing the delivery of maintenance services, both planned and reactive, ensuring they meet operational, safety, and legislative standards. This includes maintaining accurate asset records, managing maintenance budgets, and conducting audits to ensure quality and safety standards are met.

H&S responsibilities involve driving safety standards across all maintenance functions, ensuring compliance with policies, conducting risk assessments, and delivering health and safety training. The role also includes ensuring appropriate use of PPE and compliance with COSHH regulations for hazardous substances.

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The role demands strong leadership and management skills with the ability to communicate, build relationships, and engage across all levels. The ideal candidate must be flexible and adaptable to changing environments, possess well-developed problem-solving skills, and use initiative in complex situations. They should be able to plan, prioritize, and work independently, effectively handling unforeseen issues and pressure while meeting competing deadlines.

Key skills include excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication abilities (both oral and written), as well as proficiency in IT, particularly Microsoft Office. The ideal candidate should be skilled in data extraction, collation, and presentation, and competent in identifying effective maintenance methods and proactively managing risks and issues.

You will need to have extensive experience in delivering maintenance and small works to industry standards, managing large operational teams across diverse building portfolios. You should have expertise in statutory compliance, safety regulations, and the auditing of maintenance and compliance data. With a background in staff leadership, development, and line management in senior roles, the ideal candidate will be skilled in planning, scheduling, and prioritizing maintenance activities using CAFM platforms.

An advanced technical knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems is required, complemented by a proven ability to manage and motivate large teams, handle complex customer-focused environments, and meet SLA and KPI targets. Ideally you will have experience in higher education or research-focused sectors.

? A HND qualification or equivalent in a maintenance or construction related subject.

? Relevant professional health & Safety qualifications (e.g. IOSH, NEBOSH).

? Membership of an appropriate professional body is desirable.

? Authorising Person/Authorising Engineer qualifications is desirable.