Facilities and Estate Manager

Why join us?

Bringing together leading minds and practitioners in the sector, Wessex Archaeology a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity. From our network of international offices, we work in partnership with our clients to deliver sustainable solutions to manage the historic environment - above ground, below ground and underwater. We are committed to our social impact. This means using the knowledge and connections we make through our commercial activities as a catalyst to engage the communities in which we work.

Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to shaping a better future for our staff, the sector, and the world, and you will be playing a fundamental role in supporting our business towards achieving its 2030 Net Zero target.

The role – what’s involved

Working in the Sustainability team and reporting to the Director of Sustainability this role has two interconnected functions Facilities and Estates Management. The business both owns and manages leased properties.

The Facilities and Estates Manager is responsible for the physical environment of the WA estate. Ensuring that occupational solutions are delivered to maintain operational capability and eliminating high levels of risk to the business and infrastructure. Responsible for implementing facilities management strategies, best practice guidelines and solutions at all WA regionally occupied properties (offices, storage units etc) Working with key stakeholders to identify and provide a range of solutions which support the overall business requirements, whilst delivering progress in our Net Zero 2030 target.   

As the Facilities Manager you will lead, engage, and develop a small team that work from our offices in Amesbury, Salisbury, and Sheffield. In the other regional offices in Bristol, Edinburgh and Meopham (Kent) you will coordinate and manage the estate and ensure where necessary external providers manage the facilities function or coordinate the facilities team deploying them to provide cover.

As the Estates Manager your role is to ensure property leases are managed and maintained, planned work is coordinated within the facilities team or managed externally. This includes coordinating planned property maintenance, checking against lease and rental requirements and managing service contracts.

The work involves close collaboration within the sustainability team, working with the Procurement Manager to ensure sourcing and purchasing of facilities and estates goods and services are of best quality, competitively priced and fit the sustainability strategy of the business.

Working with the Carbon accounting trainee, providing them the data and information, and identifying opportunities for improvement in areas related to sustainability. Across the business the role also requires you to work closely with the Occupational health and safety team ensuring the business fulfils its regulatory and statutory requirements keeping people safe and in their working environment. 

Main Responsibilities

There are 5 main roles that the facilities and estates manager have responsibility for, these are summarised below but not detailed.

• Estates – leased and owned
  • Working alongside the Sustainability Director to develop and implement a 3-5 year property strategy that delivers compliance, risk management, brand consistency, and engagement across the estate
  • Manage, lead and develop the facilities team, ensuring our sites are always functional, including disaster recovery planning
  • Managing annual targets, budgets and forecasts for project delivery, facilities maintenance and supplier compliance across the estate activities
  • Utilities and Waste Management
    • Negotiate supply contracts ensuring the estate supply is from sustainable sources, working with landlords and convert sites to renewables where possible
    • Track, monitor and provide solutions to tackle energy consumption, driving the business towards the net Zero 2030 target.
    • Building fabric
      • Identifying and managing property related risk to the Sustainability director, including essential data centres and key operational area of the business
      • Managing the internal maintenance of the owned and leased properties ensuring dilapidations, repairs and lease requirements are delivered.
      • Office set up and moves
        • Working collaboratively across the business with other teams to ensure office moves and set ups are managed, fit for purpose and disruption is kept to a minimum
        • Managing asset registers and stock control of equipment, including disposal in line with the company sustainability aims,
        • Planning space management, considering elements such as lighting, heating and DSE.
        • External contracts and suppliers
          • Analyse data do ensure the successful performance of approved contractors and suppliers – monitoring via key information (S.L.A’s and K.P.I’s)
          • Onboarding suppliers in conjunction with the Procurement manager
          • Ensuring the FM & Estates supply chain is compliant and aligned with WA Net Zero 2030 targets

Skills, Experience & Attributes

We think this roles suits those with the following skills, experience, and attributes.

• Qualifications from The Institute of workplace and facilities management (IWFM) certifications such as Level 4 Certificate or Level 5 Diploma in Facilities Management.
• Professional accreditation or membership with relevant industry bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM)
• Proficient in the regulations and standards governing facilities management, including health and safety regulations, building codes, environmental laws, and compliance requirements set out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the UK Green Building Council.                          
• Knowledge of sustainability initiatives, energy efficiency measures, and green building practices is advantageous. Familiarity with certifications such as BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is also beneficial
• Able to engage with professional networks and industry associations such as IWFM, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Participation in networking events, seminars, and conferences keeping up to date with industry best practices and connect with other professionals in the field.
• Commit to ongoing professional development to stay aware of changes in the industry and further enhance your skills and knowledge.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to plan, prioritise, and execute multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to collect, analyse, and interpret data to drive decision-making and measure impact.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation and externally.
• Leadership capabilities with experience leading cross-functional teams and driving change management initiatives.
• Passion for sustainability and a commitment to driving positive social and environmental outcomes through procurement practices.
• Driving licence is essential, as there will be regular travel between our office locations, which a vehicle will be provided for these occasions.

What can you look forward to?

Our focus is on creating a collaborative culture where people can thrive, develop and where safety and wellbeing come first. From anonymising candidate data in our recruitment process to continuous improvements in our benefits, we’re committed to creating a safe, fair, and inclusive working environment.

We offer:

• 22 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays rising to 27 after 5 years of continuous service.
• Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension contribution 6.5%.
• Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary.

Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits

• Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90% for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.
• Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1.
• 5 days of carers leave.
• Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent on length of service.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.
• Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free and confidential service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.
• AIG SmartHealth – round-the-clock support for you and your family.

Sustainability and other benefits

• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Bike2Work scheme.
• 100% Professional membership costs reimbursed.
• High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
• Free transport from regional offices to sites.
• Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.
• Subsistence allowance.

How to apply

Interested in working with us? For all the details about how to apply visit Vacancies | Wessex Archaeology

Email your completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form by 5 pm on Friday 17th May 2024 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. All applications will be acknowledged within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you have questions about the role, then please contact wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities and aim to be supportive in our recruitment and employment practices. Please let us know if you need any special arrangements or adjustments in the application or interview process.

Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment.