Equans is looking for a Head of Soft Services to join our team in Edinburgh on a permanent basis. This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus and benefits package.
The role holder will hold senior management and operational leadership of a range of essential support functions, including catering and security.
Head of Soft Services remit includes: line management of Catering Services Manager and Security Services Managers, further teams consists of Ward Hosts, Catering Operations, Catering Admin, Chefs, Patient Catering Supervisors, Commercial Catering Supervisors and Security Officers.
Role requires coordination across catering and security teams, ensuring compliance and performance across 165+ staff.
This position ensures these services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in compliance with Equans contractual obligations (Ancillary Services Contract) and stringent healthcare standards (e.g., NHS standards, Food Safety Laws, Health & Safety regulations). Overseeing the day-to-day delivery of all catering and security operations, ensuring high standards of quality, safety, and efficiency in a 24/7 environment.
This role is subject to SIA/SC clearance
What will you deliver?
- Account lead in all Soft Services liaison and development meetings with senior members and service partners
- Lead the development of contractual Method Statements & Risk Assessments for all Soft Services
- Identifying and managing potential risks related to catering and security, and developing robust emergency response plans
- Driving continuous improvement and innovation within soft services to enhance patient and staff satisfaction and meet evolving service needs.
- Deliver the Soft Service operations on time and within budget
- Managing the budget in line with income and expenditure and draw up contingency plans to deal with projected overspends
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPI) and agree improvement plans if required
- Liaising with customers and senior managers to ensure the agreed level of service is developed in line with the Ancillary Services Contract
- Liaise with key stakeholder groups, exchanging information to jointly develop service solutions
- Attend formal meetings and formally present updates and operational information
- Ensure all Soft Service staff are trained to the required standard to carry out their duties
- Establishing and reviewing working procedures within each area to ensure the requirement of all Health and Safety and other statutory regulations are met
What can we offer you?
On offer is a competitive salary, car or car allowance, bonus and benefits package, which includes;
- 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
- Life Cover equivalent to 2x times annual salary
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Holiday purchase scheme
- 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
- Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes
- Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
- Access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
Who are we looking for?
- Substantial senior management experience in a complex multi service environment
- Strong knowledge of Soft FM in a healthcare environment • Experience of managing a large team
- Healthcare PFI and FM experience.
- Strong administration and organisational skills
- Awareness and understanding of confidentiality
- Capable of prioritising a complex and demanding workload
- Excellent interpersonal skills and customer focussed values
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work as part of a team
Who are we?
Equans is a world leader in energy services with nearly 100,000 employees working in more than 50 countries, with an annual turnover of over 17 billion euros.
In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of technical, FM, regeneration and energy services – with specialist capabilities in smart buildings, green mobility, district & embedded energy and decentralised renewables.
Equans’ 13,500 UK & Ireland employees combine these activities to help businesses, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero, and also the digital & industrial transitions that are redesigning the way we move, work and live.
Equans is a Bouygues group company.
What's next?
If this role is of interest to you, please click below to register, apply, and track your progress! A member of our Resourcing Team will review your application and be in touch.
As part our commitment to better reflect the markets within which we operate, we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010.
At Equans we’re committed to delivering a culture where everyone’s voice is heard and supported. We know the value a diverse workforce creates, delivering better results for our people, customers, and stakeholders. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of what we do, should you join Equans you'll find a welcoming and open workplace where you're supported and encouraged to be your true self at work.
You'll also have access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, Young Professionals, Veterans and Reservists Network (VaR).
For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a re-location package with this job role. Certain roles may require applicants to undergo a Disclosure check, as noted in the role requirements.
The Equans Resourcing Team supports this job advert. Agency involvement is not required. All related enquiries must come to the resourcing team not direct to Equans Managers.
