Join Compass Community and Help Create Safe, Inspiring Environments for Children and Young People
At Compass Community, we believe every child and young person deserves safe, well-maintained environments where they can learn, live and thrive. We're looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to join our growing Estates & Facilities team and play a key role in managing a diverse portfolio of education and residential properties across the North Region (Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and Newcastle areas).
This is an exciting opportunity for a facilities professional who enjoys working in a field-based role, building relationships with stakeholders, and ensuring high standards of compliance, maintenance and operational excellence across multiple sites.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Facilities Management, you'll be responsible for the operational management of a designated portfolio of schools and residential properties. Acting as the primary Estates contact for your region, you'll work closely with operational leaders, contractors and colleagues to ensure our properties remain safe, compliant, fit for purpose and fully operational.
This role offers a varied workload encompassing facilities management, statutory compliance, contractor management, planned and reactive maintenance, budget oversight and small capital projects.
Key Responsibilities
Facilities & Property Management
- Manage the day-to-day estates and facilities operations across a multi-site portfolio.
- Develop strong working relationships with school leaders, residential managers and operational teams.
- Conduct regular site inspections to assess building condition, maintenance standards and compliance.
- Provide expert advice on property maintenance, building fabric and engineering services.
- Support operational teams in resolving property-related issues promptly and effectively.
Compliance & Health and Safety
- Ensure statutory compliance across a range of disciplines including:
- Fire Safety
- Water Hygiene
- Electrical and Gas Safety
- Asbestos Management
- Emergency Lighting and Fire Alarms
- Lifting Equipment and Pressure Systems
- Building and Access Control Systems
- Maintain accurate compliance records and ensure audit readiness.
- Promote a positive health and safety culture across all sites.
- Conduct inspections, risk assessments and escalate significant safety concerns where necessary.
Maintenance Management
- Oversee reactive maintenance from initial report through to successful completion.
- Monitor contractor response times and quality of workmanship.
- Manage planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and statutory inspections.
- Review remedial actions and ensure identified issues are resolved.
- Identify recurring maintenance issues and implement long-term solutions.
Contractor & Project Management
- Manage and monitor external contractors across your portfolio.
- Ensure contractors meet safeguarding, competency and insurance requirements.
- Conduct quality inspections on completed works.
- Support the delivery of small capital projects, including refurbishments, compliance upgrades, classroom adaptations and residential improvements.
Financial & Asset Management
- Manage maintenance budgets and monitor expenditure.
- Review quotations and recommend cost-effective solutions.
- Support annual budget planning and capital investment programmes.
- Identify lifecycle replacement requirements and contribute to long-term asset planning.
Systems & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records within CAFM and maintenance management systems.
- Produce site inspection reports and compliance updates.
- Monitor outstanding actions and contribute to performance reporting.
About You
We're looking for a proactive and solutions-focused facilities professional who can confidently manage competing priorities across a varied property portfolio.
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience managing facilities across a multi-site property portfolio.
- Strong knowledge of building maintenance and property operations.
- Experience of statutory compliance within commercial, residential or regulated environments.
- Contractor management experience.
- Budget management experience.
- Excellent organisational and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Willingness to travel extensively as part of a field-based role.
Desirable
- IWFM qualification (or working towards).
- IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH qualification.
- Experience within education, healthcare, care, supported living or similar regulated sectors.
- Knowledge of CAFM systems.
- Experience managing small capital works projects.
- Understanding of safeguarding environments.
- Membership of a relevant professional body.
What You'll Bring
- A strong customer-focused approach.
- Commercial awareness and sound decision-making.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- The ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong contractor and supplier management skills.
- A collaborative approach and commitment to delivering high standards.
- A genuine passion for creating safe environments for children and young people.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of circa £47,000 - £50,000.
- Car allowance.
- Company laptop and mobile phone.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities.
- The chance to join a growing national organisation with ambitious plans.
- A supportive, collaborative and values-led Estates & Facilities team.
Safeguarding
Compass Community is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check, references and right-to-work verification.
Why Compass Community?
This is more than a facilities management role. It's an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people by ensuring the places they learn and live are safe, welcoming and well maintained. If you're looking for a role where your expertise can have a meaningful impact while developing your career within a growing national organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
