Head of Facilities

Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is one of the world\’s leading independent policy institutes with a reputation for tackling the hardest problems of international relations that stretches back more than a century. Based in London with a global outreach, we aim to help build a secure, sustainable, prosperous and just world.

We pursue our mission through convening meetings and speakers, private dialogue, world leading analysis and solutions-based ideas, and look to help the next generation as well in building a better world. Our research programmes and initiatives deliver world-class research and convening on the critical issues in international affairs, including democracy, multilateralism and international law, the environment, global economic trends, peace and security.

We are looking for a Head of Facilities to oversee our facilities services and management of our buildings. Chatham House currently operates across two buildings: an 18th Century house and a more modern adjacent, Ames House. Our historic grade I listed building was designed in part by the renowned architect Henry Flitcroft and has been home to three Prime Ministers, including William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham. Both buildings create a multifunctional space, serving as an office for over 170 staff, and host dozens of conferences and hundreds of events per year.

Managing a small team and contractors, this role will ensure that our facilities services across both buildings run efficiently and effectively from managing our reception, health and safety to maintenance. We are looking for someone who has knowledge of managing listed buildings, with a calm and systematic approach to work, but also agile to respond to needs as they arise.

Key responsibilities:

To oversee and manage Chatham House’s buildings (Chatham House and Ames House) ensuring a safe, cost-effective, compliant, comfortable and well-functioning environment for staff, members and visitors to work, meet, convene, dine and attend events.

Delivery

1. Lead health and safety for Chatham House, ensuring policy statements, RAMS etc are reviewed and up to date.
2. Agree and oversee the facilities budget, ensuring funds are managed efficiently and responsibly.
3. To oversee and ensure the safe practical running of the buildings, this will include:
4. Manage and develop all mechanical and electrical services, plant and associated installations to ensure that they comply with all current legislation.
5. Ensure that service contracts and all other necessary agreements are in place for the maintenance of all plant on site together with the provision of emergency call out procedures in cases of emergency.
6. Ensure that all property is inspected to ensure compliance with all current legislation.
7. Monitor presentation of the office environment ensuring that its appearance is kept to standards.
8. Represent Chatham House at St James Square Trust.
9. Support Chatham House’s extensive events program, leading on security, safety and building use.
10. Carry out any other reasonable duties in line with the post as may be required from time to time, including attendance at promotional events, both internally and externally.

Strategy

1. Provide an annual Facilities action plan in line with Chatham House\’s Strategy.
2. Drive a culture of continuous improvement and development together with the introduction of new ideas to improve the scope and quality of service delivery.
3. Cultivate and negotiate contracts with third parties ensuring the best price and quality service.
4. Support the COO in managing risk, with particular focus on Health and Safety and Security.
5. Actively contribute to Chatham House\’s EDI Strategy.

People

1. Day-to-Day management of the facilities team, including facilities manager, security, front of house staff, cleaners and maintenance contractors.
2. Partner with operational and research teams to ensure practices are understood and followed.
3. Provide expertise to the research and events teams as needed, ensuring compliance.
4. Manage and lead on relationships with contractors, ensuring compliance with internal policies.
5. Create a working environment where all staff are protected from mistreatment, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, and humiliation. Staff across levels should feel able to express their experiences, opinions, and concerns authentically and without fear of retaliation.

Person Specification

1. Ability to work on-site. Due to the nature of this role, we require someone to be in the building 5 days a week.
2. Experienced facilities professional.
3. Proven experience of managing budgets, planning and delivery of cost improvements.
4. Extensive knowledge of core legislation (Planning, Building Control, Fire Risk, and Health & Safety) for the management and adaptation of tenanted buildings and in particular, Grade I listed buildings.
5. A team player, with energy, enthusiasm, a desire to learn, and work collaboratively.
6. A problem-solver with the ability to show initiative.
7. Ability to work with a diverse range of partners and navigate cross-cultural sensitivities.
8. Ability to take ownership and balance multiple tasks, prioritize accordingly, and work calmly under pressure.
9. Demonstrable experience in working in a customer-focused environment, ideally including events.

Essential Qualifications:

1. Recognised qualification in Health and Safety.
2. Relevant qualifications in engineering, facilities management, or a related field.
3. Trained Fire Warden.
4. Trained First Aider (3-day First Aid at Work).

Desirable Qualifications:

1. Legionella.
2. Asbestos awareness.
3. A food hygiene qualification.

Please note, due to the nature of this role at times work out of hours to respond to issues/problems that arise when the building is closed is required and flexibility is a key criterion for the role.

Benefits

Benefits include approximately 37 days’ annual leave (inclusive of public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working, and other benefits designed to suit your personal lifestyle. All of this in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.

Salary: £60,000 – £65,000 per year. (Dependent on experience)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent.

Location: St James’s Square, London.

Application closing date: Sunday 9 March 2025 (Midnight, UK time). You will be notified of the status of your application within four weeks of the role closing.

Please avoid using AI for your application. We want to hear from you! We can tell the difference between a genuine answer and an AI-generated one.

The job description as outlined above will not be available once the closing date has passed. Please ensure you keep a copy for your records.

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