Purpose of the Role
The Residential Building Manager is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient management of a portfolio of 10 residential buildings in Dorchester, Dorset. The role focuses on maintaining high standards of cleanliness, health and safety, fire safety compliance, building maintenance, and customer service while forming positive relationships with residents and stakeholders.
The Building Manager acts as the primary point of contact for residents, ensuring that enquiries, complaints, and service requests are handled professionally, promptly, and effectively. The role also involves overseeing contractors, ensuring statutory compliance, conducting regular inspections, and supporting the delivery of a safe, well-maintained, and welcoming living environment for all residents.
Key Responsibilities
Building Operations
- Oversee the day-to-day management of the building and associated facilities, ensuring all compliance management systems are kept up to date and fully compliant.
- Conduct regular building inspections to identify maintenance requirements, health and safety risks, and housekeeping issues.
- Ensure all communal areas are maintained to a high standard.
- Monitor building performance and ensure all plant and equipment operate efficiently.
- Maintain accurate records of inspections, maintenance activities, and statutory compliance.
Fire Safety and Compliance
- Manage all fire safety systems and ensure statutory compliance.
- Coordinate scheduled servicing, inspection, and maintenance of fire alarms, emergency lighting, smoke ventilation systems, firefighting equipment, fire doors, and other life safety systems.
- Carry out routine fire safety inspections and monitor remedial actions.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation, Fire Risk Assessments and company policies.
- Maintain compliance documentation and ensure statutory testing is completed within required timescales.
Hard Services Management
- Oversee planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes.
- Coordinate servicing and maintenance of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, lifts, access control, and other building systems.
- Arrange reactive repairs and monitor contractor performance.
- Ensure contractors work safely and in accordance with site procedures.
- Monitor service quality and ensure works are completed to the required standard.
Soft Services Management
- Manage the delivery of cleaning, pest control, and other soft services.
- Support the centre manager in carrying out regular quality inspections of contractor performance.
- Identify opportunities to improve service delivery and resident satisfaction.
- Ensure communal areas remain clean, safe, and presentable.
Repairs and Maintenance
- Identify maintenance requirements through regular inspections.
- Organise reactive and planned maintenance works.
- Coordinate contractors and monitor completion of works.
- Prioritise repairs based on risk, urgency, and operational requirements.
- Maintain maintenance records and update asset information where required.
Resident Liaison
- Act as the primary point of contact for residents regarding building management matters.
- Coordinate and attend the Management Company AGM and other Resident Association meetings as required.
- Respond promptly and professionally to resident enquiries, requests, and complaints.
- Coordinate resolutions with contractors and internal teams.
- Keep residents informed of planned works, maintenance activities, and potential disruptions.
- Build positive relationships with residents and the Residents Association through proactive communication, community engagement and events where appropriate.
Community Engagement
- Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and well-managed community.
- Organise and support resident meetings, engagement activities, and community events where appropriate.
- Encourage resident feedback to improve services.
- Develop positive working relationships with residents, leaseholders, managing agents, and stakeholders.
Health, Safety and Inspections
- Conduct routine health and safety inspections.
- Carry out regular building checks to identify defects, hazards, and compliance issues.
- Ensure corrective actions are completed promptly.
- Support emergency preparedness and incident response procedures.
- Assist with audits and compliance reviews.
Administration
- Maintain accurate contact information, maintenance logs, compliance records, inspection reports, and contractor documentation.
- Support the centre manager with budget preparation ahead of the service charge start date.
- Raise work orders and monitor work progress through to completion.
- Assist in preparing service reports and operational updates.
- Monitor expenditure against approved budgets where required.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience managing residential or mixed-use buildings.
- Strong understanding of fire safety legislation and building compliance requirements.
- Experience managing contractors and service providers.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication and customer service skills.
- Ability to prioritise multiple tasks and manage competing demands.
- Competent in Microsoft Office and property management systems.
- Experience reviewing and actioning Fire Safety or Fire Risk Assessments and actions.
Promotions/Public Relations
- Establishing and developing good relations and partnerships with various authorities and local agencies, including:
Local authority
Police
Fire Brigade
Public transport Providers
Establish and develop close working relationships with resident representatives and manage resident satisfaction and confidence in Savills service delivery.
Desirable
- IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent health and safety qualification.
- Knowledge of residential property management legislation.
- Membership of a relevant professional body.
- Knowledge of planned preventative maintenance and building services.
Personal Attributes
- Professional and approachable.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to contribute well as part of a team.
- Proactive and solutions-focused.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
- Calm under pressure with sound decision-making ability.
- Committed to delivering high standards of customer service and operational excellence.
Working Hours - 09:00am – 5:30pm, Monday - Friday
Salary - £32,000 - £45,000 dependent on experience
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Please see our Benefits Booklet for more information.
